VISITS AND VACATIONS

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Best Things To Do in St. Vincent & The Grenadines

Days on St. Vincent & The Grenadines consist of lazing along white-sand beaches, exploring coral reefs, and day-tripping to the Grenadines' rural islands and cays. For sunny strips of blindingly white sand, head to Saltwhistle Bay or Macaroni Beach. Prefer to hit the links? Venture to Canouan's pristine championship course to putt on spectacular greens. And there's plenty to do on St. Vincent's main island: That's where you'll discover Kingstown's lively marketplace and the lush foliage on display at the centuries-old Botanic Gardens.

Tobago Cays

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This cluster of small, uninhabited isles perched at the east end of Mayreau boasts some of Grenadine's finest underwater sites. The remote cays' calm, clear waters teem with bright coral reefs and exotic marine life. In fact, the area was named a wildlife reserve to maintain its natural setting. As a result, yachts are not allowed to drop anchor here, so you'll feel like you've discovered untouched Caribbean waters. Almost universally, visitors call Tobago Cays breathtaking and a must-see.

A wide variety of diving, snorkeling and sailing companies offer excursions to Tobago Cays. Friendship Rose Cruise, a reputable charter company, offers full-day sailing and snorkeling excursions via schooner from Bequia to the cays. Boats depart every day at 7 a.m. and return at 5:30 p.m.; breakfast and lunch are included. A full-day cruise costs around EC$410 (roughly $150) per adult; children 5 and younger can sail for free. Lambi Queen Tours is another company recommended by past visitors for its easy daytrip itineraries. For more information on the Tobago Cays, visit the SVG Tourism Authority's website.

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Canouan

Travelers are almost always impressed by tiny Canouan, which measures a mere 3 1/2 miles long and a quarter-mile wide. World-class spas, luxurious resorts and breathtaking coral reefs are just some of this isolated island's draws. Though recent visitors do concede Canouan isn't the most accessible island of the Grenadines' chain, travelers say its unforgettable ambiance and scenery merits the long trek to get there.

Grand Bay Beach and South Glossy Bay Beach boast particularly lovely (and free) white-sand beaches with calm swimming waters. Prefer to step off the sands and on to the greens? Then head to the Carenage Bay Beach & Golf Club located on the island's east coast to hit the championship links said to be a favorite of Bill Gates. Would you rather take the plunge below sea level? Venture to the Canouan Scuba Center on the leeward side of the island at the Tamarind Beach Hotel to arrange a diving expedition near the Tobago Cays or Mayreau. If you have the time (and the energy), climb to the top of Mount Royal; from this lookout on the north end of Canouan, you'll find unspoiled views of neighboring St. Lucia.

Bequia

Perched at the northernmost tip of the Grenadines' chain of islands, Bequia beckons to beachcombers and seafarers with its golden sands, calm aquamarine waves and relaxed atmosphere. When you tire of lounging along powdery shorelines, head to Port Elizabeth, Bequia's quaint, seaside town located in the central part of the island to pick up some souvenirs and a bite to eat.

and as always have a chilled day from the Viking