10 Things not to miss in St Vincent & The Granadines in 2009

10 Things not to miss in St Vincent & The Granadines in 2009

St. Vincent & The Grenadines 30 January 2009

10 THINGS NOT TO MISS IN ST.VINCENT & THE GRENADINES IN 2009

St. Vincent & The Grenadines is the Caribbean's best-kept secret. A year round destination with untouched nature, authentic Caribbean charm and plenty of activities too, this is one place you can't afford to miss in 2009.

1. SCALE A VOLCANO
La Soufriere volcano in the north of St Vincent is an active volcano, (though the last eruption was over 25 years ago) perfect for keen hikers. The trek up the volcano takes around three hours, trails up through a canopy of bamboo trees, tropical rainforest and rocky lava fields reaching up to the rim of the volcano. Stretching a mile across and 1,350 feet deep, for a once in a lifetime experience visitors can even be lowered into the crater to enjoy a mud bath! For further information visit http://www.responsibletravel.com/svg/nature.htm

2. KAYAK THROUGH BAT CAVES
For thrill seekers why not take a kayak tour around the south coast of the island. The tour takes you in and out of bays, exploring bat caves and learning how the bats live and breed. Sailor's Wilderness Tours can arrange a sea tour which involves going through the bat caves, prices start from £27 per person. For further information visit www.sailorstours.com

3. PARTY AT VINCY MAS
Ideally fitting in with the school summer holidays ‘Vincy Mas' is the Caribbean's hottest summer festival. Spread over twelve days, this festival of steel pan, masquerade and dancing is packed with historical meaning and cultural pride, it is the most important annual celebration for St. Vincent & the Grenadines. The Carnival festivities include live musical performances, the Miss Carnival Show, Steel Band and Calypso Competitions, plus a variety of colourful Street Parades. For more information visit www.svgtravel.com

4. SPOT COLOURFUL MARINE LIFE
One of the world's most beautiful diving destinations, St.Vincent & The Grenadines is attracting an increasing number of dive visitors each year, with crystal clear waters, abundant marine life and untouched coral reefs. The destination offers fantastic diving, especially on the leeward coast, offering uncrowded dive sites and some of the best diving experiences in the Caribbean. A good base for experienced scuba divers and snorkellers hoping to spot seahorses is Young Island, a truly tropical, 35 acre island resort 200 metres off shore from St. Vincent. For more information or to book a diving package please visit http://www.responsibletravel.com/Trip/Trip902376.htm

5. STAY AT AN ECO RETREAT
Located in a secluded cove on the leeward coast of St. Vincent, Petit Byahaut is the perfect haven for couples seeking a romantic nature retreat. The 50-acre resort - only accessible by boat, offers five rooms with no road, utilities or telephone to interrupt the tranquil sights and sounds of this sanctuary of nature. Accommodation is in large deluxe tents or screened rooms with wooden floors, private decks, queen-size beds, private hammocks, solar-powered lighting and bathrooms with solar-heated alfresco shower, enclosed by the surrounding foliage. Gourmet food is served by candlelight overlooking the Byahaut bay. Divers and snorkellers can find some of the island's most colourful reefs and marine life directly off of the resort's black sand beach or enjoy boating, kayaking and hiking around the island.

6. BEQUIA EASTER REGATTA
Don't miss the Bequia Regatta, taking place from 20 - 24 March, the weekend activities include huge boat races, with hundreds of entrants taking part. There is also a range of sports and games, calypso and many other competitions and activities to keep all the family busy. For further information visit www.svgtravel.com

7. STAY IN A VOLCANIC ROCK HOUSE
Moonhole on Bequia, is a unique and spacious volcanic rock house sleeping six, based on the concept of living in harmony with the environment. Villas start at £800 per week per couple. Situated on the beachfront of a private 25-acre estate, the Flintstonesque houses are sculpted into the hillside using local stone and woods, offering both a fantastic view and refreshing breeze. For more information / to book visit www.moonhole.com

8. SNORKEL AND DIVE IN TOBAGO CAYS
The beautiful Tobago Cays have been declared a government Wildlife Reserve and is a familiar sight from the Pirates of the Caribbean films. A diver's paradise, reef-life normally found at 80ft, flourishes here at depths of only 25ft, with an extraordinary variety of reef fish such as angel fish, sergeant majors and peacock flounder. For more information visit www.responsibletravel.com/svg/snorkelling.htm

9. ROMANTIC VALENTINE'S BREAK
Why not whisk your loved one off to St.Vincent & The Grenadines for Valentine's Day? Stay at boutique hotel Grenadine House from £80 per room per night, perfect for romantics, the hotel is surrounded by lush gardens, with panoramic views of the bay. This intimate hotel offers an oasis of calm and all the ingredients for an unforgettable romantic hide away. Couples can soak up the sun and take a dip in the pool together or enjoy a romantic candle-lit meal in the Sapodilla dining room, which serves a fusion of delicious Creole and Western dishes. The hotel is steeped in history, having been the home of British ambassadors 100 years ago, and more recently housing the Pirates of the Caribbean film crew and cast. For more information or to book visit www.grenadinehouse.com

10. CLIMB THE NATURE TRAIL & WATERFALLS
The Vermont Nature Trail runs through the verdant Buccament Valley and is a great place to spot more than 35 species of bird including the whistling warbler, red-capped green tanager, cocoa thrush, crested humming birds, black hawks and the rare St Vincent parrot. For more information visit www.responsibletravel.com/svg/nature.htm

For more information on St.Vincent & The Grenadines, visit www.svgtravel.com

 

St. Vincent & The Grenadines case studies

Increasing distribution for smaller properties in SVG

for St. Vincent & The Grenadines

Challenge
Reinforce the country's sustainable positioning and increase distribution for smaller properties.

Putting St. Vincent & The Grenadines on the map with the trade

for St. Vincent & The Grenadines

Challenge
Having identified low awareness amongst the travel trade for St. Vincent & The Grenadines (SVG) we needed to raise the profile of the destination to ensure the trade have confidence in selling the destination. We also identified that there was potential to get more operators featuring the destination.

 

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