Your St Barts -Villa Rental in St Barths, Saint Barthélémy

Here on St Barts island, we typically don't need a reason to throw a party.  However, we've come up with one, and this time, it's to celebrate where we've been. 

In November of 2008, the island will host "Swedish Week" to celebrate the 130th anniversary of the retrocession of St Barth to Sweden; the official date of the anniversary is March 16th, 2008, but it was decided that Swedish Week will be held in November so that it can close with the 18th annual running of the Gustavialoppet 10km race.

In a recent issue of St Barths Weekly, Swedish Week is discussed at length.  Spearheading the planning are Roger Richter, president of Sallskapet and Nils Dufau, president of the Association of Saint Barth Friends of Sweden. They came up with the idea for a celebration after they came to realize that there are many people who do not know the Swedish history of Saint Barth. Just as the people of Saint Barth created a mini-version of our island during "The Colony Project," held in Skansen, the people of Sweden hope to bring the same to our home base.

Details of the activities for the week are obviously not yet firmed up.  But, you can bet that as soon as I know what's going to be happening, I'll pass it along to you!

If you search for "St Barts," lots of good stuff comes up.  I've compiled a list of some things that bear the islands name; I think some of them are really quite funny.

The St. Barts Swinger :: The name just sounds funny, doesn't it?  Wait till you check out this "breezy" hat, just "perfect" for warm island weather.  It has since been discontinued…..

Keen St Barts :: Keen shoes company came up with this pseudo sandal that looks like a hybrid-cross between a sandal and a shoe.  According to customers on Zappos, these are quite comfortable and perfect for the beach.  It seems that lately, the stranger the shoe looks, the more comfortable it's reported to be.

St Barts Lip Balm :: I'm not sure what this product even has to do with the island; really, I'm baffled.

I <3 St Bart's Bib :: You gotta love Cafe Press; this place will put anything on any variety of products.  This one is really kind of cute - especially if you've got a little one running around.  You might as well raise them with the right vision dancing in their heads……

St Barth Raffia Bag :: JCrew has got it right; really, this purse just reminds me of the women strolling around.  It looks like it belongs on the island, doesn't it?  Maybe that's why they named it after such a fabulous one.

When you really take a look at the amount of products bearing the islands name, it's kind of amazing. With some of the products, it's easy to see the relation, but with others…….and this isn't even a complete list!

"St Barth: French West Indies (A Concept Book)" by Charles and Christine Didcott has been around for 8 years and it is still the best coffee table book about St Barts Island that I know of.

St Barts Island :: "St Barth: French West Indies" :: Photo Credit ~ Amazon.com

Filled with pictures that depict the beauty and warmth of the island, it is a wonderful reminder of where you've been, or where you'd like to go.  Consistently earning 5-star reviews on Amazon by readers who have enjoyed it, it is cited as "capturing the charm and beauty of the island," and additionally, the text throughout it gives bits of little known facts about the island to anyone who picks it up; even those who have visited more than once often find something new about the island when reading this book.

A great gift for yourself or someone you know that loves the island, or just appreciates beautiful photography.

St Barts Book :: Paradise Found :: Photo Credit ~ Amazon.com

Okay, okay….yes, I'm still surfing around Amazon!  But I couldn't go before I recommended this book about St Barts; "Paradise Found: The people, restaurants and recipes of St. Barthélemy" by Robert Brooks.

Ranking 8th in books about travel to the French West Indies, this book has consistently been rated 5 starts by those that have purchased it. A book that is jam packed with recipes straight from the island, and beautiful photographs to boot, this is a must have for anyone that has ever been to St Barts, or is dreaming of someday going.

In its 250+ pages, it completely encapsulates the island, its culture, the locals, and the tourists.  Everyone and anyone has a place between these to covers. It especially pays homage to the restaurants, their owners, and the sweat equity that they've put in to their world-class eateries.  As one reader so aptly put it, "International movies stars and high profile musicians and artists are perennially drawn to St Barts during the holiday season for a number of reasons." Read this book and you'll see why.

If you've ever been to the island, this book will serve as a wonderful reminder of your trip; if you are planning a trip, or know someone who is, grab a sneak peek at what's in store during the vacation.  This book is well worth the investment.

St Barts villas are an amazing piece of real estate to own; just ask anyone that has one.  Once, one of the most destitute islands in the Carribean, a building boom by the Rockafellers jump-started both its growth and popularity.  It has now become the "St. Tropez of the Carribean." Before you go out and drop a few million on a villa though, there are a few things you should know.

As of February 2007, St Barts became an "Overseas Collectivity" or collectivité d'outre-mer, meaning that it is part of the French Republic. As such, it is primarily French law that applies, although each "collectivity" (similar to a US municipality) will have it's own specific laws in place; this also means that euros are the currency, and with the recent lag in the US dollar, it makes everything a bit more expensive for Americans.

There are no restrictions on who may buy property in St Barts, if you can afford it; however, if you are a non-French buyer, the bank will only loan you 50% of the value of the property.  If you need to finance the entire thing, you will need to speak to a major financial institution.  Oh, and there are no private sales going on in St Barts;  realtors are the only professionals allowed to sell property on the island, per French law.

Expect to wait a bit too; property on the island is in high demand.  Not only can you not find a 2 bedroom villa with a view for under $1.5 million, you can't find property to build on either.  This is one of the ways we keep the island small and comfortable; if we make too much property available, we'd have people building all over the place - it would destroy what makes the island so great.

So, if you're serious about buying on St Barts, check out St Barth Realty.  They have a variety of villas to choose from, and they're organized really well, by price.  Even if you're not yet in the market for a villa here on the island, have a little fun "window shopping."

While you're visiting Gustavia, make a stop at this Anglican Church. A peaceful sight, it is named St. Bartholomew's, and it's perched quaintly on the harbor; it's doors always wide open and welcoming.

The Anglican Church holds its Family Eucharist on Sunday mornings at 9am with a midweek Mass at 12:30pm; there is also a Spirituality Group that meets, midweek, at 11:30am.  The services are conducted in English and everyone is welcome,                 Gustavia :: St Bartholomew's Anglican Church           regardless of your practicing denomination.

So while you're visiting us, don't hesitate to stop by.  Vacations, often meant to relax us, can sometimes be so hectic that a break is nice now and again; even if only for a few moments of peaceful meditayion. Step inside and bow your head for a moment; clear your mind.

Close your eyes and listen to not only the Mass, but take in the sounds of the local choir.  Voices of angels if I do say so myself; you will carry their sound with you for days after.  And if you look closely,  you'll likely recognize some of the local women from you're shopping adventures.  Never again will you be able to go to Jojo's and look at the women running the register in the same way…..I guarantee it!

This is one of my favorite St Barts Villas on the entire island! The Indian Song is an impressive villa that boasts a foundation of several levels, made of stone and wood. Located at the entrance of the Domaine du Levant complex in Petit Cul de Sac, the surrounding neighborhood is gated, quiet and calm; a perfect retreat for anyone that is looking for a serene vacation.  Those who rent the villa are entitled to use the community tennis courts as well.

The interior is a beautiful blend of pastel and dark colored fabrics, carrying the theme of serenity right on through. Combine with the effects of the wood, tile and stone, the interior plays wonderfully with the light that comes through the large windows. Watch Direct TV & French Satellite in the media room or sneak into the office for some quiet reading time. Personally, my favorite part of this villa happens to be the gym.  Admittedly, I am not always first in line to work out, but once I get going I'm fine.  They gym in this villa makes it easy to want to be first up; surrounded by lush vegitation and views of the water, it makes it hard to feel like you're actually engaging in strenuous activity.

The Indian Song Villa is available to rent from two different agents on the island.  Wimco has their rates set up based on weeks of the year while St Barth Properties has their rates listed by number of bedrooms.  Either way, the rates are about the same; if you like what you see, inquire now as this villa tends to book quickly!

As you may or may not know, both St Barts Island and St Martin became officially independent in July.  This is every exciting news and I'm sure it will bring many changes to the way things are around here. 

From two sources, Le Figaro and Guadeloupe public holidays, we get this news: 

A ceremony was held……..to officialize the new status the islands of Saint-Barthélemy and Saint Martin, previously communes of Guadeloupe. Following a 2003 referendum, and its implementation in February 2007 by France's parliament, the 2 islands have now been granted the TOM (Territoire d'Outre-Mer) status meaning that they can pass territorial laws, control their fiscal policy, choose to stay in, or leave the EU (the European Union), and declare their own public holidays.

Some speculate that St Barts may choose to leave the EU, but that has not yet been confirmed.  It looks like our celebrated holidays will remain the same as Guadeloupe for now.