St Barths - GUSTAVIA Saint Barthelemy [4K]

Gustavia is the main town, port and capital of the posh #caribbean island of Saint Barthélemy aka St Barts aka St Barths - top amazing luxury travel destination; St Barths is known for its white-sand beaches, chic hotels and designer shops. Gustavia, encircling a yacht-filled harbour, combines high-end dining with historical attractions like The Wall House, whose exhibits highlight the island Swedish colonial era. Perched above the ​town is 17th-century Fort Karl, offering views of popular Shell Beach.

While it is acceptable to wild swim and walk topless or even nude on many beaches, it is never acceptable to walk in town in a swimsuit. One needs to cover up with a stylish sundress or equivalent. A simple t-shirt won't do. This is all part of the "laid-back" and "casual chic" ethos of the place.

St. Barths ranks among the most expensive getaways on the planet. The island caters to an upscale clientele who can afford things like $20,000-a-night stays in posh villas. The story of how St. Barths became the so-called "St. Moritz of the Caribbean" goes back to the mid-1950s, when the über-wealthy families discovered the centuries-old charm of the island's British-Swedish-French colonial heritage. Couple that with a laid-back ambiance, friendly locals and (at the time) cheap land, and this was just the spot to build million-dollar estates overlooking St. Bart's virgin beaches.

Today, they're the homes away from homes for the world's silky set, from land barons, billionaires like Roman Abramovich, oil titans, hi-tech CEOs and other corporate moguls to people who sit on thrones back home to Oscar-winning movie stars to A-list rockers and rappers of the likes of Paul McCartney, Sting, Beyonce, Jay-Z and Jon Bon Jovi.

#stbarth #beach #luxurious