A Bart by Any Other Name
Call it St. Barts, or St. Bart, or St. Barth, or St. Barths, or even St-Barthélemy (with a French accent, si'l vous plait). Or perhaps just call it the platinum card island. This tiny, tres chic slice of the French West Indies has long reveled in its reputation as the most expensive island in the Caribbean. The accommodations are luxe (villas and relatively small resort hotels) and the superlative dining (which subs for nightlife here) draws on both French (cuisine) and Swiss (bank account) traditions.

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ISLANDS editor Adrienne Egolf recently visited St. Barts and found an ideal experience for a true, romantic retreat. From a quiet table overlooking St. Jean Bay as she enjoyed a passion-fruit soufflé, she literally tasted the true luxury of St. Barts. Read the story.

Stay at Eden Rock, which was a private house situated out in the bay before it became a beautiful hotel and residence club. edenrockhotel.com

Eat at On the Rocks in the Eden Rock hotel. The restaurant is perched on a cliff that jetties out into St. Jean Bay, on the north side of the French West Indies island of St. Barts. Feel as though you're in a Parisian café as you dine on foie gras and grilled sole and sip pinot grigio. Chef Jean Claude Dufor, like so much of the feast, has been imported to the island from France.

See the artwork on display at Janes Gallery in Eden Rock. New exhibits and new artists in residence always keep the work fresh. edenrockgallery.com