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Where to stay in St Vincent and the Grenadines

December 1, 2011 By admin

Although much accommodation in St Vincent’s and the Grenadines tends to be on the luxurious side, there are better value options available.

A place to stay could be a simple cottage next to a beach, a colonial hotel in the mountains or even a luxurious private island. All hotels are small, as befits the relaxed and unspoilt feel of these beautiful tropical islands.

The Cobblestone Inn in the capital, Kingstown, has been painstakingly restored by local craftsmen. Dating back to 1814, it was originally a sugar warehouse. It is located in a waterfront location, and has a rooftop bar. [Read more...]

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Geology and Volcanos of St Vincent and the Grenadines

November 6, 2011 By admin

St Vincent and the Grenadines is home to an active volcano, La Soufrière. Located at the north end of St Vincent island, it is 1,234 metres high, and is classified as a stratovolcano, or composite volcano, meaning that its layers have built up over a number of eruptions, characterised by its steep sides.

The volcano has erupted regularly since 1718, most recently in 1979. An eruption in 1902 caused a catastrophic loss of life, and most of the 1,680 victims were Caribs, causing the destruction of much of Carib culture. Geologists were able to give a warning of the last eruption in 1979, and fortunately this prevented any deaths. [Read more...]

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Politics in St Vincent & the Grenadines

October 19, 2011 By admin

With Queen Elizabeth II as its head of state, St Vincent and the Grenadines is a member of the Commonwealth. The Governor General represents the Queen, although his role is mostly purely ceremonial.

The country’s parliamentary system has been handed down from the British, and is a democracy whose prime minister is Ralph Gonsalves, who leads the Unity Labour Party. This is currently the majority party in the House of Assembly, a one-house parliament with fifteen MPs and six senators.

One of the Governor General’s few roles is to appoint these senators, although he does so with advice from the Prime Minister and head of the opposition.

In law too, the country owes much to the British, and in common with other English-speaking Caribbean countries, St. Vincent’s judiciary is built on English common law. Even though the islands have eleven courts and a high court and court of appeal, the highest court is still the Privy Council in London. [Read more...]

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What to do in St Vincent and the Grenadines

September 4, 2011 By admin

There is no shortage of things to do in the tropical paradise of St Vincent and the Grenadines. Just being here, and getting used to the laid-back way of life, is a relaxing, fabulous holiday. The beaches are glorious, with white sand, turquoise sea, and lush vegetation. They are also quiet, so a beach holiday is the obvious choice. However, the country offers much more than gorgeous beaches.

The islands are renowned for their sailing, and you can find something to suit all levels, from a beginners training course to hiring a boat and sailing yourself around at your own pace. [Read more...]

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History of St Vincent and the Grenadines

September 1, 2011 By admin

St Vincent and the Grenadines history is rich, and goes back thousands of years. Evidence of the lives of early islanders can be found in the ancienrock carvings, or ‘petroglyphs’ that can be seen in the Layou Petroglyph Park opened in 2009.

These carvings may be anywhere between 600 and 1,500 years old. The islands have been inhabited for about 7,000 years, originally by the Siboneys. Then the Arawaks from Venezuela moved there, and the Caribs took over. Columbus ‘discovered’ the island in 1498, and named it St Vincent because the day he discovered it was 22 January, feast of Vincent of Saragossa, patron saint of Portugal. [Read more...]

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Weather in St Vincent and the Grenadines

August 10, 2011 By admin

St Vincent and the Grenadines is a hot and humid tropical country, making it an ideal holiday destination, with the temperature not straying far from 29°C throughout the year. The Easterly Trade Winds blow over the country, meaning that the heat is made more bearable, and making it a popular destination for those who like sailing.

This wind can also mean that air conditioning is not really needed. It is a delightful climate in season, and as befits the tropical heat, visitors need to wear light clothes made of natural fabrics like cotton. There is some small variation in climate between islands, as St Vincent is slightly wetter and colder than the Grenadines in the south. [Read more...]

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Saint Vincent

July 14, 2011 By admin

The Commonwealth country of St Vincent and the Grenadines is composed of a string of 32 islands, part of the Lesser Antilles chain of the Windward Islands. The largest of the islands is St Vincent, which has a population of about 20,000, and contains Kingstown, the country’s capital. [Read more...]

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Events and Festivals in St Vincent and the Grenadines

July 11, 2011 By admin

Although St Vincent and the Grenadines is known for its relaxed way of life, it also knows how to party. The annual carnival, or Vincy Mas, is a much-anticipated event in the country’s calendar. Colourful and noisy, the celebrations include calypso and steel bands, costumes parades and street parties.

Starting in May, the party lasts until its culmination in July, with the famous street parties of J’Ouvert and Mardi Gras, where the Parade of Bands takes place. Visitors flock to Kingstown for these events, and provide a welcome boost for the local economy. Yet we should know that in 1872 the British banned the festival, and in 1879 the islanders fought for its return, and remember that at heart the carnival is a celebration of freedom from slavery. [Read more...]

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St Vincent & Grenadines Buildings of Interest

June 16, 2011 By admin

Most of the buildings of interest in St Vincent and Grenadine lie in the capital Kingstown, where the architecture is mostly 19th-century colonial.

It is characterised by cobbled streets and covered walkways by some of the older streets, made of stone arches. In fact the town’s nickname is ‘city of arches’, which also refers to the exuberant style of St Mary’s Catholic Cathedral of 1828.

This ornate building is made of black volcanic bricks, and includes Georgian, Moorish and Romanesque elements. [Read more...]

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Geography of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

January 14, 2011 By admin

The country of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines is west of Barbados, south of Saint Lucia and north of Windward Island.

The country consists of two islands, Saint Vincent being the main, the Grenadines being the smaller of the two.

The countries capital is Kingstown, this is on Saint Vincent.

The island of Saint Vincent is mostly volcanic and has a very small amount of level ground. [Read more...]

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