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Caribbean / British Virgin Islands
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Tortolla House
For rent - A beautiful 3 bedroom, 3 bath home, a mere moment's walk to one of the world's premier beaches. snorkelling, swimming and sailing. Tortola, in the unspoiled British Virgin Islands, is home to this paradise dream.
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Tortola
This is the main island, the capitol being Road Town. Road town itself is an interesting mix of old West Indian style houses and modern (but not high-rise) banks etc.
Well worth a visit. Main shops and several restaurants are here.
The William Thornton Estate Ruin
Located in Pleasant Valley, this was once the home of the man who designed the US Capital building.
The Callwood Rum Distillery
This is at Cane Garden Bay - housed in a stone plantations building. Rum is still produced here today.
Sopers Hole
West End is one of the major anchorages. There is a Marina and shopping wharf here along with the ferry terminal. These ferries can take you to other islands such as St Thomas and St John (USVI) and Jost Van Dyke.
There are also a wide variety of water sports available, as well as sailing - either by the half or full day if lazing on your paradise beach becomes too much of a chore!
Highly recommended is Tamaran Charters who have not only an ocean-racing trimaran, but also a powered catamaran. These are both available on a half or full time basis, for any size of party form 4 to 14!
Nearby Attractions:
The British Virgin Islands - 50 or so in total ranging from creeks to volcanic types - were originally discovered by Christopher Columbus in the 15th Century.
He named them for St. Ursula and her 10,000 virgins - hence the BVI crest.
Over the centuries, due mainly to their magnificent and secluded anchorages they have been the haunt of everyone from pirates - like Blackbeard - to the modern day sailor. In the late 17th Century the Dutch buccaneers were finally ousted by the English and the islands have been a British Protectorate ever since. These are still some of the finest sailing waters in the world.
The British Virgin Islands were named by Christopher Columbus, resulting in some very original names!
Tortola, itself means Land of the Turtle Dove, which in many ways sums up this idyllic island. For those who want to explore more islands in this paradise chain there are many less than a stones throw away.
Virgin Gorda - Meaning "Fat Woman" - so named because the island resembles a woman lying supine - can be reached either by ferry from Road Town, or sometimes, o n a day charter sailing. Probably the best way, if you want to explore Virgin Gorda would be by ferry, as you then have a choice of transport - and time spent! - on arrival.
Anegada the "drowned land" is a coral reef. No place on this fascinating island is higher than 27' above sea level. It is renowned for its flamingos and wonderful snorkelling, and can be reached easily by 15min plane ride from Beef Island. There are also inclusive day trips available.
Jost Van Dyke is yet another unspoilt island in the group. It has only recently had electricity and telephones installed!
On this island, will be found the famous - or perhaps infamous! - Soggy Dollar Bar in White Bay. The bar is so called because it can only be reached from the sea, thus any money you may use to buy a well-earned drink will be decidedly soggy! Like a lot of the BVI this island can be reached from Tortola's West End by ferry.
Norman Island reputedly the setting for Robert Louis Stevenson's 'Treasure Island' - can be reached either by private boat hire or more easily (and in a less expensive way) on a day trip sail. The snorkelling here can be breath taking.
Deadmans Chest is especially famous. This is the island on which Blackbeard marooned mutinous crews or the crews of ships that he had taken, best seen from the sea.
The neighbouring island called Peter Island has a bay known as Dead Mans Bay. The bay got its name from the fact that so many men drowned whilst trying to escape across the narrow channel between Dead Cheast and itself. The island is now an exclusive yacht anchorage and hotel, although it can be reached from Nanny Cay via a private ferry. There is also a ferry point at Baugher's Bay.
Although of the US Virgin Islands - St John and St Thomas can be easily reached by ferry from the West End Tortola. St. John - the nearer of the two islands - is by far the less commercialised of the USVI, bearing a stronger resemblance to the unspoilt Tortola than to any of the USVI.
St Thomas, on the other hand is a busy metropolis full of life, bustle and reasonably organised chaos! A place not for the faint hearted or those who want quiet solitude.
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