St. Barthélemy

Stepping onto the villa patio, I watch the sun rise over the volcanic mountain, glittering on the cobalt sea, and bathing the hills in a golden light. I stretch lazily, detecting the aroma of freshly brewed coffee. Should breakfast be an almond croissant? Or maybe the ethereal brioche we discovered yesterday? I decide that a walk to the boulangerie is in order, especially in light of that new bikini. I make a mental note to book another Thai massage and grab my sunglasses. Ahhh, another perfect day in paradise.

St. Barthélemy blends the respective essences of the Caribbean and France in perfect proportions. A sophisticated but unstudied approach to relaxation and respite prevails: you can spend the day on a beach, try on the latest French fashions, and watch the sunset while nibbling tapas over Gustavia Harbor, then choose from nearly 100 excellent restaurants for an elegant evening meal. You can putter around the island, scuba dive, windsurf on a quiet cove, or just admire the lovely views.

A mere 8 square mi (21 square km), St. Barths is a hilly island, with many sheltered inlets providing visitors with many opportunities to try out picturesque, quiet beaches. The town of Gustavia wraps itself neatly around a lilliputian harbor lined with impressive yachts and rustic fishing boats. Red-roofed bungalows dot the hillsides. Beaches run the gamut from calm to "surfable," from deserted to packed. The cuisine is tops in the Caribbean, part of the French savoir vivre that prevails throughout the island.

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