This stunning French-owned Caribbean island exudes classy European influence, with its red-roofed villas and chic ports. It’s quite apparent that the highlights of the island are its endless supply of sugar-soft sand beaches that seem to encourage one to relax. Coastal temptations vary from amateur snorkelling to kitesurfing and sailing, but a sense of glamour is maintained by the chic Nikki Beach Saint Barth offering a fashionable spot to enjoy afternoon cocktails and light bites as the days pass you by.

The red-roofed capital of Gustavia stands out within the Caribbean, with its name and town-planning influenced by the Swedes, who loaned the island for almost one hundred years during the 19th century. This cultural concoction continues because you’ll find a range of French dishes being served in the capital’s restaurants and cafes, from superb a la carte dining to a quiet coffee served with a freshly baked croissant. St Barths offers a truly unique cultural experience for those who might think they’ve seen everything that the Caribbean has to offer.

There are no glitzy resorts or high-rise apartments on the island, with intimate boutique hotels and private villas reigning king here. This provides a certain exclusivity where you’re guaranteed a one-of-a-kind experience with the most attentive service possible. This is where St. Barts differs from some of the larger, more popular islands in the Caribbean, because tourism has not yet transformed the island, making it all the more authentic, and therefore more magical.

The absence of commonly-known hotel brands on the island does not mean a drop-off in quality, with some of the Caribbean’s most exclusive boutique resorts proudly calling St Barts home. Here, you’ll be treated to a host of exciting cuisines, luxurious villas and professional PADI dive centres so that you can get the best training before heading out into the waters to explore lost shipwrecks and colourful reefs.