Over View
Some may be aware that Norman Island, one of over 50 idyllic islands that constitute the archipelago of the British Virgin Islands, was supposedly the location that Robert Louis Stevenson based Treasure Island on. Today's visitors might not stumble across swashbuckling pirates or half-concealed troves of treasure, but they will find a highly prized booty of soft sand and gentle, teal waters.

The British Virgin Islands comprise sloping hills of green and the impressive Mount Sage National Park, but are really renowned for the nautical thrills on offer. Year-round winds provide exceptional
conditions for sailing, and the British Virgin Islands happily celebrate this asset by staging frequent regattas and fairs. In addition, extensive coral reefs and famous shipwrecks are enough to entice anyone into the waters for a dive, and novices will be pleased to know there is tuition here for those that seek it. For travelers who prefer to watch the sea rather than get into it, there is the breathtaking chance of spotting dolphins and whales criss-crossing the surface.
The islands were annexed by the British in 1672. Two hundred years later, they were incorporated into the British colony of the Leeward Islands. The governor of the Leewards continued to run the Virgin Islands until 1960, at which point direct responsibility was assumed by an administrator (later restyled governor) appointed from London.
The 1967 constitution then gave the islands internal self-government. Since then, the British Virgin Islands have been quite successful at tackling drug trafficking and drug use, forming a party for the 1995 election called the Concerned Citizens’ Movement. It seems as if islanders are keen to preserve their home as a 'paradise'. Nevertheless, for those that seek a little legal fun, Jost Van Dyke is the party island, where holidaymakers and locals can shake their bodies to calypso and gulp down tasty cocktails.
Paradise does come at a cost. Overall, the British Virgin Islands are quite an expensive destination. But, for some, this is the necessary price of saving a Caribbean gem from over-commercialization. If this is the intention, the British Virgin Islands are, for now, a resounding success.

Geography
The 50-plus islands, rocks and cays of the British Virgin Islands, only 16 of which are inhabited, make up the larger part of an archipelago forming the northern extremity of the Leeward Islands in the eastern Caribbean. They are situated approximately 100km (62 miles) east of Puerto Rico, adjoining the US Virgin Islands. The islands are volcanic in origin, with the exception of Anegada, which is formed of coral and limestone and is the lowest lying. The topography is otherwise mountainous, the highest point being Tortola’s Sage Mountain, which rises to 550m (1,800ft). There are remnants of a primeval rainforest on Tortola.

Weather
The climate is subtropical and tempered by trade winds. There is little variation between summer and winter. Rainfall is low, varying slightly from island to island. Night-time temperatures drop to a comfortable level. Visitors should note that the British Virgin Islands are susceptible to hurricanes and earthquakes, although these are by no means a frequent occurrence. The primary hurricane season is from June to November.

Required Clothing
Tropical lightweights. Dress is generally informal but swimwear is confined to beaches.

Hotels
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Food & Dinning
There is no shortage of excellent restaurants and inns serving local and international dishes. Most food is imported but local island specialties are often available. In addition to the hotels, eateries can be found on Tortola, Virgin Gorda and Jost Van Dyke.

National specialties:
• Seafood dishes, including lobster (the Anegada lobster is reputedly the best in the Caribbean), fish chowder, snapper, whelks, mussel pie, conch stew and shark.
• Roti (a flavorful East Indian flat bread, filled with meat or vegetables).
• Paté (a dish baked or
grilled, containing spiced meat, seafood or vegetables, stuffed into pita bread).
• Fungi (not actually related to the mushroom but instead refers to a delicious mixture of cornmeal and okra, usually served with seafood and probably closest to Italian polenta in flavor and consistency).
• Delicious local fruits such as soursop, papaya, mango, pineapple, guava, sugar apple, passion fruit and tamarind.

National drinks:
• All kinds of rum punch and cocktails.
• Local spirits include Pusser’s Rum (originally produced for the Royal Navy’s pursers).
Legal drinking age: 18.
Tipping: All hotels add a 10 to 12% service charge.

Nightlife
Many hotels have special nights with live music or dancing. There are several bars offering live music and/or DJs on both Virgin Gorda and Tortola. A full moon party takes place on the beach at Apple Bay, Tortola every month. There is one cinema (on Tortola). The British Virgin Islands Tourist Board publishes details of all forthcoming events in its publication, The Welcome, which appears every two months (website: www.bviwelcome.com).