A Romantic Caribbean Escape
You hear the phrase "jewel of the Caribbean" used to describe many islands throughout the West Indies, but the Grenadines, a series of about 30 small islands that spill into the sea south of lush, mountainous St. Vincent, are truly gems. ISLANDS editor Sue Youngsteadt recently returned from a trip to Petit St. Vincent, one of the Caribbean's most exclusive private islands. Highlights of her stay are on the map below and in her travel blog.

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Besides Petit St. Vincent, other private resort islands include Palm Island and Mustique. The uninhabited Tobago Cays represent the classic sailors' vision of uninhabited, blue-water, white-sand islets. It's less than 50 miles, as the tropicbird flies, from St. Vincent to Petit St. Vincent. ISLANDS staff editor Sue Youngsteadt visited Petit St. Vincent for the February 2009 "Intimate Escapes" issue. She wrote an exclusive online feature article on the attraction of the island and its personal connection. Read the full story.

Fly to Barbados. Then to go to Petit St. Vincent, take a connecting flight to Union Island. There you'll take a motor yacht for the 30-minute crossing to PSV. americanairlines.com

Stay at the Petit St. Vincent Resort, an exclusive getaway on this private island. Accommodations include beachfront and hillside cottages, which use a flag system of yellow when you'd like service, red when you don't want to be disturbed. psvresort.com

Relax near the resort cottages at the special private dock, where you can enjoy a massage and other spa treatments or a very romantic dinner for two.

Explore the uninhabited Tobago Cays, five small islands just a schooner ride away.