Gustavia, St Barts' red-roofed capital, is a small harbor town lined with chic boutiques, duty free shops, gourmet restaurants, and galleries. It is the main town of the island of Saint Barthélemy (also known as St. Barts). It was named after King Gustav III of Sweden. St. Barts was a French possession originally, and the area was called Carenage after the shelter it provided to damaged ships. Gustavia was founded after Sweden bought the island from France in 1785. The island was sold back to France in 1878.
For beautiful sightseeing views, visit Fort Gustav (the most important fort during the Swedish period), or head to the top of the 29 m hill for vistas of Shell Beach amid the few remaining stonewalls of Fort Karl!
Cruise Ships: New, Improved, and Coming Soon
The latest designs, innovations, and features, in a sparkling white cruise sh... read more
Panda-monium! New Pandas Debut This Year in Two American Cities
There will soon be two new places in the U.S. to visit China’s iconic and end... read more
7 Reasons to Cruise Canada and New England on Seabourn
One of the greatest natural spectacles in the world is the unmatched explosio... read more
Top Souvenirs from a Trip to England
2022 is a great year to be an anglophile! Queen Elizabeth II’s history-making... read more
Holland America Launching Year-Round Cruises in Europe
The seasons for cruise and travel are changing – even disappearing altogether... read more
Juno Beach Centre
The Juno Beach Centre is Canada’s Second World War museum and cultural centre... read more