Saturday 18th May 2024 • Promotional Content


St Helena: a breath of fresh air in the South Atlantic


Discover St Helena with a tailor-made, nine-night


trip from £3,950 per person, based on two people


sharing, with a 19 January 2025 departure.


Worldwide Travel Te Travel Guide 33


A view of Blue Hill, taken from High Peak PHOTOGRAPH: CRAIG WILLIAM I


n the midst of the South Atlantic Ocean lies one of the most remote islands on Earth, St Helena, nearly


halfway between Southern Africa and South America. Aside from the astounding natural scenery, charac- terised by rugged volcanic landscapes and lush green peaks, St Helena is home to a variety of unique activities and experiences, attracting visitors from across the globe. St Helena can be reached by a


weekly flight from Johannesburg year- round. A twice-weekly flight from Cape Town also operates during St Helena’s summer months, December to March. Incredible, once-in-a-life- time experiences can easily fill a week or 10 days, and a twin-centre holiday with South Africa provides another great option for ticking this destination off your bucket list.


Nature and walking Walking in St Helena is an extraordi- nary experience, offering breathtaking landscapes, rich historical landmarks and a diversity of natural beauty that’s truly astounding, considering the small size of the island. St Helena has nature trails including 21 ‘Post Box Walks’. Graded by a range of experience levels, the plentiful hikes offer the opportu- nity to explore the island on foot, while admiring the diverse array of vistas and


both natural and manmade


heritage sites. St Helena is home to more than 500 of the 1,547 species endemic to


Britain, and you’ll encounter many of these during your hikes.


Marine activities St Helena Island beckons snorkellers and scuba divers with its crystal-clear, warm waters, captivating shipwrecks, and abundant marine life including devil rays, sea turtles, dolphins, humpback whales and the majestic whale sharks. Delve into the island’s intriguing history by exploring one of its eight wreck sites or witnessing one of nature’s rarest spectacles — the unique convergence of adult male and female whale sharks. Whether you’re a seasoned diver or a novice snorkeller, there’s an adventure waiting for every underwater enthusiast.


History Immerse yourself in the captivating history of the island, a unique melting pot of international history that’s impacted the island since its discovery in 1502. Centuries-old forts, Georgian architecture and globally unique heritage sites (such as Napoleon’s final place of exile) dot the island and invite exploration. You can also visit the world’s oldest living land animal, Jonathan the tortoise, a 192-year–old Seychelles Giant who’s lived on the island since 1882.


Culture St Helena is a true melting pot of peoples and cultures, crafted over its


500 years of human history with influ- ences from across the globe including Africa, Europe and Asia. It’s a place with a population of just over 4,000 people, where virtually everyone knows everyone. Te island has been described as ‘small-town Britain gone by, with a unique island twist’: for instance, each Sunday, a traditional British roast is paired St Helenian curry. Te spoken language is English, but with a distinct local dialect, and the local currency is interchangeable with GBP.


Sustainability St Helena embraces sustainable prac- tices, preserving its pristine environ- ment and supporting local community through eco-conscious initiatives. From responsibly managed tourism to restoring St Helena’s internationally important natural cloud forest


(the


last on British soil), its commitment to sustainability ensures that future generations can continue to enjoy its natural beauty and cultural heritage. In a world often overwhelmed by overpop- ulation and technology dependence, the island stands as a refreshing oasis with its pristine air, sparkling ocean, a safe and friendly community, and minimal reliance on modern technology.


Discover more: rainbowtours.co.uk/st-helena 020 3773 7945


A hike across St Helena’s stark exterior PHOTOGRAPH: ED THORPE


St Helena’s waters PHOTOGRAPH: BETH TAYLOR


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