This French Leeward Isle, known generally as St Barts, lies just 20 miles south of St Martin, and is reached by plane from either Antigua or St Martin. It is renowned as the island of "chic".  Evidence of an episode as a Swedish colony is visible in the capital Gustavia, although it is the French atmosphere that predominates nowadays.  Most of the islanders themselves are originated from Breton and Norman settlers.  Very few slaves were imported to St Barts, unlike many other Caribbean islands.  Its inhabitants are seriously rich and famous, such as the Rockefellers, Rothschilds, and Schwarzeneggers, and its holidaymakers include royalty, super-models and film stars.  It is an expensive island with outstanding restaurants, ultra-fashionable but at the same time informal with a casual dress code.  The capital, Gustavia, with its bustling freighters, and fishermen, is the only place where a true Caribbean atmosphere is found.  

The chic nature of the island attracts glamorous people from around the world, either in yachts or to one of the luxurious small hotels and villas. There are only 300 hotel rooms in total on the island (less than in some hotels on other islands), its best known being Eden Rock in the golden sandy bay of  St Jean.  One of the island's biggest attractions is its public beaches - bathers can leave their hired Jeeps in hidden car parks and sun themselves by the turquoise sea (au naturel, if they so desire), or visit beaches which are only accessible by boat.  There are no souvenir sellers or dreadlocked Rastas to disturb them.  Watersports, including diving, snorkelling, windsurfing, sailing and deep-sea fishing are the holidaymakers' pastimes.

Horse-riding, tennis and sport fishing are also popular activities on the island, and visitors can travel around at a leisurely pace on horse-drawn carriage. Or you can take advantage of the tax-free shopping on the island and visit Gucci, Chanel and Dior.  The restaurants are  impressive and provide a variety of cuisines, and nightlife generally consists of tropical elegance in sophisticated surroundings.

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