St Vincent
Best of St Vincent Bus Tour-An excellent introduction to St. Vincent, this excursion traces the island's history at Fort Charlotte and presents its natural beauty at the botanical gardens and in a fertile valley.
Depart from the pier and begin driving through Kingstown, the volcanic island's energetic capital. Before long, you'll arrive at Fort Charlotte, which the British started constructing in 1763. Named for Queen Charlotte, wife of King George III who was the reigning monarch of the time, the fort stands on a ridge 600 feet above sea level, offering an unobstructed view of Kingstown and beyond.
Interestingly, the cannons point inland over the moat, as the fort was built to protect the English from the indigenous Indians and their allies, the French, who were more inclined to attack from land rather than the sea. The Fort houses a collection of paintings which depicts the history of the Black Caribs and a tour of Fort Charlotte provides a unique glimpse into the tumultuous founding of St. Vincent.
Another short drive brings you to the Botanical Gardens, which are among the oldest in the Western Hemisphere, having been established in 1765. An oasis of serenity, the gardens contain countless exotic species and rare items such as a breadfruit tree that's the third generation of one donated by the infamous Captain Bligh of the HMS Bounty.
Continuing on, you'll venture through the Mesopotamia Valley, where much of St. Vincent's fruits, vegetables and spices are grown. As scenic as it is fertile, the emerald-green valley is crisscrossed by streams and dotted with farms. After departing the picturesque valley, you'll stop at a beach bar for a cool drink and then return to the pier.
Read MoreDepart from the pier and begin driving through Kingstown, the volcanic island's energetic capital. Before long, you'll arrive at Fort Charlotte, which the British started constructing in 1763. Named for Queen Charlotte, wife of King George III who was the reigning monarch of the time, the fort stands on a ridge 600 feet above sea level, offering an unobstructed view of Kingstown and beyond.
Interestingly, the cannons point inland over the moat, as the fort was built to protect the English from the indigenous Indians and their allies, the French, who were more inclined to attack from land rather than the sea. The Fort houses a collection of paintings which depicts the history of the Black Caribs and a tour of Fort Charlotte provides a unique glimpse into the tumultuous founding of St. Vincent.
Another short drive brings you to the Botanical Gardens, which are among the oldest in the Western Hemisphere, having been established in 1765. An oasis of serenity, the gardens contain countless exotic species and rare items such as a breadfruit tree that's the third generation of one donated by the infamous Captain Bligh of the HMS Bounty.
Continuing on, you'll venture through the Mesopotamia Valley, where much of St. Vincent's fruits, vegetables and spices are grown. As scenic as it is fertile, the emerald-green valley is crisscrossed by streams and dotted with farms. After departing the picturesque valley, you'll stop at a beach bar for a cool drink and then return to the pier.
