St. Barths

St. Barthélemy is a French overseas collectivity of 25 square kilometres with more Michelin-calibre restaurants per head than almost anywhere. Eden Rock, Cheval Blanc and Rosewood Le Guanahani are the resorts; the villas, of which there are hundreds, are the way many regulars stay. Gustavia is the harbour and the shopping; St-Jean and Saline the beaches. The season is December to April, peaking over the holidays when the harbour fills with yachts and rates are the highest in the Caribbean. Arrival is by small aircraft from St. Maarten (SXM) into one of the world's shortest commercial runways, or by boat. Carnival in February is a local highlight. Hurricane season runs June to November; Irma (2017) reshaped the island, which has since been rebuilt.