Travel Agent - June 23, 2008 - (Page 71) BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS a sea of natural PLAYGROUNDS T he British Virgin Islands (BVI) is a destination where deserted beaches are commonplace and sailing is not only the best way, but often only way, to get to popular attractions. Steady trade winds, hidden bays, and the nine-mile-long Sir Francis Drake Channel that made this area a favorite with 18th century pirates, today earn the BVI a well-deserved reputation as a world-class sailing destination. The reefs and the many ships downed by them — most famously the wreck of the Rhone, which sunk in 1867 — also make these islands a favorite with divers. More than 60 islands and cays — most of them uninhabited — line up on both sides of the channel, making it easy to island-hop, drop anchor to snorkel, bask on a secluded beach, hike, or dine on justcaught fish and dance under the stars at a friendly beach bar. An armada of charter firms offers everything from crewed yachts with gourmet chefs to bareboat charters. Landlubbers can choose from a number of exclusive resorts —some on their own private islands — as well as small hotels, inns, rental cottages and villas. ON THE ROAD TO ROAD TOWN Laid-back Tortola is the largest and most populated of the islands. Its steep, winding roads lead through verdant mountains past the ruins of centuries-old forts and other historic sites. Road Town, the capital, offers a selection of spas and wellness centers, restaurants, and shops featuring locally made crafts, artwork, and rum. Tortola’s beaches range from the secluded, baby calm waters of Smugglers Cove, where sea turtles sometimes swim by snorkelers, to the popular restaurant- and bar-lined Cane Garden Bay. Apple Bay Beach is known for its Friday-night fish fry, and on any evening here, there’s likely to be music at popular spots such as Bomba’s Surfside Shack. Little Jost Van Dyke is an island where shoes are never required, Main Street runs along the beach and almost everything is within a usually hilly 20-minute walk—or BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS GEOGRAPHY: The British Virgin Islands is an archipelago of about 50 islands, cays and rocks spread over 59 square miles, 60 miles east of Puerto Rico, neighboring the US Virgin Islands. All the islands but one are volcanic in origin; most are mountainous and green, with scalloped coastlines of small coves and white sand beaches. They nestle protectively along both sides of the Sir Francis Drake Channel, slightly west of the Anegada Passage, a major northeast corridor between the Atlantic Ocean and the Caribbean Sea, that separates the Greater and Lesser Antilles. LANGUAGE: English. POPULATION: Approximately 26,726. CLIMATE: Average annual temperatures: Summer, 90ºF; Winter, 85ºF. Average annual rainfall: 52 inches. TIME: EST +1. GMT -4. 71
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