British Virgin Islands Tourist Board British Virgin Islands
SIZE: 60 Islands CURRENCY: US dollars POPULATION: 23,000 MAIN CITY: Road Town LOCAL BEER: Carib DISH OF THE DAY: Barbecued Anegada lobster
nown as ‘the land that time forgot’, the British Virgin Islands remains an undeveloped haven for natural treasures. What the destination lacks is its greatest asset, no high-rise hotels, casinos and crowds. The BVIs, despite its recognition as one of the most spectacular destinations and the indisputable sailing capital of the world, presents over 60 islands, islets and cays for exploring its secrets. A numinous, fl ourishing and inspiring architecture of mountaintops, volcanic islands dropped into bright turquoise sea, and pristine beaches, the destination lures adventurers,
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romantics and solace-seeking stressed business executives by offering the complete antidote to mass tourism. A colourful aquarium of the
world’s most diverse sea life, extensive coral reefs, responsible for claiming renowned wrecks, vast outback, wildlife sanctuaries sheltering endangered species and completed with untouched, uninterrupted beaches, are all
experiences not to be missed. Whether it is discovering the
natural phenomena of The Baths, the alluring Anegada’s succulent lobster feasts, diving the Indians or fi nding your own deserted island for the day, the BVIs are bountiful with Nature’s Little Secrets.
The beaches are never busy, the streets rarely crowded and everyone has time to relax.
BVI House, 15 Upper Grosvenor Street, London, W1K 7PJ T: 020 7355 9585 E:
info@bvi.org.uk W:
www.bvitourism..co.uk
What’s hot! Dance the night away at Full Moon beach parties at Bomba’s Shack and Trellis Bay
ISLAND HIGHLIGHT From sunken shipwrecks at Rhone Marine Park to the awe-inspiring boulders of The Baths, the British Virgin Islands love to show their natural beauty to visitors. In all, there are 21 national parks, with a stunning array of land and marine areas.
Caribbean Challenge: Great Camanoe’s Cam Bay is an extensive reef and lagoon system. Its calm waters, colourful reef fish and pristine marine environment attract swimmers and snorkellers.
INSIDER TIP “The BVIs are truly the centre of the sailing world with consistent winds, clear blue water, sunshine every day and islands close enough to navigate by sight. Visit the BVIs’ uninhabited sister islands and spend the afternoon on a deserted beach.” BVI Tourist Board
Cayman Islands
ISLAND HIGHLIGHT Rum Point, about an hour’s drive from Seven Mile Beach is the ultimate Caribbean beach hangout, and where the locals go ‘liming’ at weekends; try a Mudslide, the national drink at the Wreck Bar, and perfect your snorkelling in the shallow, clear waters.
Caribbean Challenge: Take an exhilarating ride in the Cayman Islands Helicopter with former Hollywood stuntman Jerome Begot and see if you can spot a turtle, a giant starfish and the spectacular eagle spotted ray.
INSIDER TIP
“Stingray City is one of the greatest places in the world to swim with these amazing creatures in open water and one of Grand Cayman’s most popular attractions, but fi rst thing in the morning you will be the only people there.” Martin Clunes, actor
Cayman Islands Department of Tourism 6 Arlington Street, London SW1A 1RE
T: 020 7491 7771 E:
info-uk@caymanislands.ky W:
www.caymanislands.co.uk What’s hot! The USS Kittiwake – the 250 foot submarine rescue vessel sunk just off Seven Mile Beach in January 2011
SIZE: Grand Cayman (GC) 76 square miles, Cayman Brac 14 square miles, Little Cayman 10 square miles CURRENCY: CI$ (plus US$) POPULATION: GC - 60,000, CB - 1600, LC - 150 MAIN CITY: George Town on GC LOCAL BEER: Caybrew DISH OF THE DAY: Conch Fritters
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undrenched sugar white beaches lined with sea grape
trees, hidden coves lapped by pristine warm water, endless activities; gourmet dining alfresco, more species than the Galapagos Islands and an underwater world which is regarded as one of the richest on earth; that’s the Cayman Islands. All this and more, united by a close-knit community, make this Caribbean country a gem of a fi nd for both couples and families, and all the more so for being often overlooked by operators’ holiday brochures.
Sophisticated yet exotic, Grand Cayman has it all; Seven Mile Beach, luxury resorts and award-winning spas; yet just a short drive through the verdant, colourful island reveals miles of undeveloped coastline dotted with private villas, simple beach cafes and village life.
Learn to dive, kayak through mangroves, explore beaches by horseback and swim with
www.caribbean.co.uk
stingrays in open water. Little Cayman, just a 40-minute hop away by Twin Otter plane, is the defi nitive paradise island, while Cayman Brac, slightly bigger than its ten-square- mile little sister, is a forgotten world, with a huge bluff that rises dramatically from the sea to provide a home for nesting brown boobies and the Cayman Islands’ cave-dwelling bats.
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BVI
Cayman Islands
CAYMAN ISLANDS DEPARTMENT OF TOURISM
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