Keep it under your straw hat, but there are still some corners of the Caribbean untouched by the jet set, where the vibe is laid-back and the culture remains authentic and unspoilt. Francesca Syz reveals the secret delights of the lesser-known islands.
Iles des Saintes, French Antilles
A string of small islands 15km south-west of Guadeloupe, the Iles des Saintes (or 'Les Saintes') are inhabited by the blue-eyed descendants of impoverished Breton colonists. The most interesting islands are the largest, Terre-de-Haut, and smaller, pancake-flat Marie-Galante. Terre-de-Haut has some great beaches, excellent snorkelling, a ruined fort with a museum and lots of little bars and cafés. Stay at Auberge Les Petits Saints (00 590 590 99 50 99; www.petitssaints.com). About 25km to the east, Marie-Galante, named by Christopher Columbus after his ship, provides a slice of traditional Caribbean life. Developed around sugar-cane production (try the sirop de batterie: sugar-cane syrup mixed with rum and lime). It has three settlements and a surprising number of good-quality restaurants and guesthouses. Stay at Village de Ménard (00 590 590 97 09 45; www.villagedemenard.com)
There's more… continue to page two of "Secret Islands of the Caribbean" on the Condé Nast website
