Caribbean Caribbean crackers Sailing, street parades and springs± there' s so much more
to the Caribbean than white sand and crystal waters. Alice Cooke unveils this year's unmissable places and pursuits
An oasis of civility St Kitts
The family-run Ottley' s Planta- tion Inn (
www.ottleys.com) prides itself on being a real home away from home. A long-standing favourite with Princess Margaret, croquet and cocktails are the order of the day. The hotel has an English-colonial-style veranda, and is set at the foot of Mount Liamuiga in 35 acres of grounds that shade into rainforest. An oasis of old-fashioned civility.
The best beach St Barts
Grand Cul de Sac has unbeliev- ably still waters, and is regu- larly voted one of the best beaches
in the world. The
island' s French-provincial origins are most evident in Corossol, a two-street fishing village. There, Ingenu Magras' s Inter- Oceans Museum is a must, with more than 9,000 seashells and an intriguing collection of sand samples from around the world.
For sons of the sea British Virgin Islands
In the yachting capital of the area, the first-ever Caribbean Superyacht Regatta & Rendez- vous will be held this year at YCCS Virgin Gorda, hosted by Boat International Media, from March 16 to 20. The BVI Spring Regatta takes place on Tortola from March 28 to April 3. This is followed by a music
festival (with reggae, gospel, blues and salsa), held in Cane Garden Bay (May 27± 30).
The need for speed The Cayman Islands
On April 25, the Million Dollar Run, a speedboat racing com- petition with local and inter- national teams, is held in the island' s natural harbour, the
World-class polo Barbados
Holders Season (March 19 ± April 2) has opera, music and theatre at the 300-year-old Holders House, St James (
www.holders.net). The polo season runs from
January to May each year, and is hosted by the four world-class polo grounds on the island, where both international and local teams compete (www.
barbados.org/evnpolo.htm).
North Sound, with onshore fes- tivities at Kaibo Yacht Club (www.
mdr.ky). This is followed in May by Batabano, the Cayman Islands' own carnival, which bops and boogies down West Bay Road beside Seven Mile Beach (
www.caymancarnival.com).
Take to the water Cruise the Caribbean
For getting the best out of the Caribbean without any transfers, try the Yachts of Seabourn, on a range of cruises from a week to 14 days. The on-board ser- vice is unrivalled, and the food and accommodation impec- cable (
www.seabourn.com).
56 Country Life International, Spring 2011
Garden delights St Lucia
The green valleys and blue coves of the north-west of the island are renowned for their beauty, but the rugged volcanic land- scapes in the south, dominated by the twin peaks of the Pitons, are even more breathtaking. The last remaining visible volcanic activity can be found at the Sulphur Springs near Soufrière
Ð the best views of the bub- bling mud cauldrons are from the main viewing platform. The Diamond Botanical Gar-
dens (
www.diamondstlucia.com), originally built in 1784 for the troops of Louis XVI of France,
are beautifully maintained, with a waterfall and mineral baths fed by hot springs. Tour groups arrive at about 11amÐ get there at 10am or after 2pm for a more peaceful guided tour, which can be privately arranged. Open daily, 10am± 5pm.
www.countrylife.co.uk/international
4Corners Images; Michael Dunlea/Alamy; Onne van der Wal/Corbis; Carolyn Clarke/Alamy
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