Saint-Barthélemy

Saint Barthélemy, better known as St. Barts (or St. Barths, depending on how much of a Francophile you are), is part of the Guadeloupe islands in the Caribbean. It’s also a playground for the rich and famous, with its resort villas, designer shopping and mega yachts.

You won’t find a typical Caribbean vibe here. St. Barts is one of the few islands in the region that did not have a large native population and has been under French rule since 1648, save for about a century in the 1800s when Sweden owned it. What you will find are celebrities, great dining and fantastic duty-free designer shops. The atmosphere is more Riviera-casual. The official language is French, with English widely spoken.

Villa rentals are popular, and the top resorts on the island include the Hotel Guanahani and Spa, with its new Clarins Spa, and the iconic Eden Rock. The principal gateway to St. Barts is through Juliana Airport in neighboring St. Maarten, where flights arrive daily from both the United States and Europe. Enjoy the scenery while on a puddle-jumper to the island and try not to lose your lunch as the small plane appears to be headed straight into a mountain before taking a steep dive onto a short runway that ends with sunbather on the beach.

Welcome to paradise.