Reached by air from Guadeloupe (45 minutes), the 10 square miles of St Barths encompass a picturesque miniature world of red-roofed pastel-coloured houses, green rolling hills travelled by 30 miles of winding lanes, and some 20 beautiful tropical beaches (a number with excellent conditions for watersports). Gustavia, St Barths' harbourfront capital, with many tempting bistros and restaurants, is especially attractive, and everywhere the sound of the local French patois is a reminder of a fascinating island history that saw sailors from Normandy and Brittany settle here long ago.