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St. Vincent


St. Vincent, part of the Grenadines, has black-sand beaches, colored by ash from La Soufriere's eruptions in 1812, 1902, and 1979. Natural wonders such as the volcano, Falls of Baleine, and Vermont Forest Nature Trail set the island apart from its neighbors.


Activities


Hiking
A well-marked trail leads up the east side to La Soufriere's massive crater rim and further to mud baths near the 4,048-foot-high summit. (Allow about six hours round-trip.) For a less strenuous hike, try the one-and-a-half-mile Vermont Forest Nature Trail. The endangered St. Vincent parrot resides in the forest and is usually seen at sunrise and late afternoon. Outfitter: Hazeco Tours offers expert-led excursions. Details: $60, including lunch, a raincoat, snacks, and pick-up at your hotel; +1 784 457 8634.

Boat Trips
The speedboat excursion along St. Vincent's West Coast to the Falls of Baleine, accessible only by boat, is memorable more for the fishing villages and green mountains bisected by black lava flows than for the waterfall itself. Outfitter: Fantasea Tours offers a full-day excursion featuring snorkeling. Details: $60 per person, including beverages and snorkeling gear; +1 784 457 4477.

Garden Tours
St. Vincent's 242-year-old Botanical Garden, with breadfruit trees and parrots, is the oldest in the Western Hemisphere. Outfitter: Hazeco Tours offers various day-trips. Details: $60, including lunch, snacks, and pick-up at your hotel; +1 784 457 8634.


Hotels


Young Island Resort
Located 200 yards off the coast on a private 35-acre outcrop, the resort is St. Vincent's most private getaway. Two rooms offer private plunge pools. Details: from $175 to $585, including breakfast and dinner; +1 784 458 4826 or 800 223 1108 (U.S. and Canada).

Grand View Beach Hotel
Rooms in this 18th-century-cotton-plantation-house turned hotel overlook a gray-sand beach. Details: from $104 to $265; +1 784 458 4811.


Restaurants


Lime Restaurant and Pub
Try a shrimp and lobster pizza. Details: $55; +1 784 458 4227.

Wilkie's
Try the steamed fillet of ballahoo (local fish) with sauteed potatoes. Details: 45.; +1 784 458 4811.


Young Island Resort
Try the chicken and shrimp barbecue buffet, which accompanies live steel band music on Saturdays. Details: $59 (three-course dinner) or $64 (buffet); +1 784 458 4826 or 800 223 1108 (U.S. and Canada).



Editor's note: Hotel rates are European Plan (EP), no meals, unless otherwise indicated. Tax and service charges are not included. Rates are subject to change during promotions and peak seasons. Restaurant prices are for an average three-course dinner, nonalcoholic drink, tax, and tip.


For more information, visit the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Tourist Office online.


*Additional reporting by Julie Dugdale.