St. Barthelmy (or St. Barths) is a small French island in the Caribbean Sea. And small means "small" in the case. The island is just 9 square miles of land. No wonder then that if you are seeking privacy - as do celebrities like Ricky Martin, Martha Stewart, Julianne Moore, Gwyneth Paltrow, Cameron Diaz, Madonna, Heidi Klum, Kirsten Dunst, Tom Cruise, Beyonce, Jay-Z, Woody Allen, Jennifer Aniston, P. Diddy, and Brad Pitt - you sneak away to this exotic destination, where you can truly bond with Nature. But
St. Barths is not just for the privacy-seekers. If you enjoy great weather, sandy beaches, eclectic cuisines, and a place to relax, you might want to think of this little island for your vacation - particularly honeymoon - too. Or you could do what Uma Thurman and Andre Balazs tried to do after their breakup in 2006 - try to patch things up in the beautiful weather.
Why do the stars love St. Barths?Simply because it is such a big secret known only to a select few. First, there is hardly any advertising by them. Most people learn about it through someone who is really into exotic travel. Two, cruise ships are not allowed even in the area. Finally, getting a visa can be a challenge for citizens of many countries.  Unlike Anguilla, which is not so well connected by air to the United States, St. Barths is actually very well connected from all major airports in the country. Most travelers from the US and Europe do not need a visa to enter the country. While French is the most common language, almost everybody understands English.
Unlike many other Caribbean destinations, you can get married in St. Barths but considering the size and population (estimated 7,000 residents), the church logistics can be a challenge. Kimora Lee Simmons and Hubby Russell Simmons also got married here in a private but very luxurious ceremony on the beach. Kimora wore a body hugging, short white dress and a tiara, of course. Her yoga-loving husband wore a designer white shirt and khaki pants. St Barts is a wonderful place for destination weddings. It is a more exclusive island and it has a selection of places for parties and weddings. If you are planning a destination wedding consider St. Barts However, organizing the party is not a problem. And it is a perfect venue for honeymoon or romantic getaway. There is another big difference. While many other Caribbean islands are conservative and have restrictions on what you can wear on the beach, in St. Barths, you decide. Related destinations: Barbados - Fiji Islands - Los Cabos - Panama - Roatan - Malibu - Lake Tahoe - Hawaii - Nevis Island - Dominican Republic - St Lucia vacation - Best beaches - Bermuda Photo courtesy: Dan Sokol |
