| In the 16th Century sir Francis Drake was cheeky | | | | delicious. There’s nothing like being waited on hand |
| enough to sail an entire fleet through what is today | | | | and foot to bring out the adventurous spirit in one, I |
| known as Sir Francis Drake Channel. (I wonder what it | | | | always think, and this is most definitely the place to |
| was called before that?), on his way to give the | | | | sample the good life in abundance; Frenchmans |
| Spanish a jolly good thrashing. | | | | Lookout at Tortola. |
| This beautiful channel, welling around a collection of | | | | The luxury and decadence of staffed villa vacations |
| conical and lushly vegetated islands, is a watery and | | | | takes off to new heights this year as so many of us |
| matchless paradise. Rich with sinkholes, ledges, caves | | | | succumbe to the sheer aaaah factor available at |
| and wrecks to dive on, fanned by the trade winds and | | | | these plush destinations, which for so long remained |
| it just does not get any better really does it? | | | | within the exclusive grasp of the rich, the famous and |
| Or does it? | | | | the downright spoilt. |
| Overlooking this fascinating stretch of water and | | | | The fact is that many ultra elegant, privately staffed |
| ready to spot the next fleet that tries to slip by | | | | homes do not cost as much as, or at least very little |
| unnoticed, is the incomparable Frenchmans Lookout, | | | | more than, a five star stay at the latest chain hotel for |
| pride of the British Virgin Islands and private retreat of | | | | corporate groups and family gatherings. Take a trusty |
| many a worn out millionaire. Well why not, after all they | | | | calculator and work out the sums. Or give a quick |
| can afford it. | | | | glance and let them do the working out for you. |
| The ambience is perfect, the terraces are alerted to | | | | Go on, you deserve it. Even if you don’t deserve it, |
| repel pirates and the food…well, the food is absolutely | | | | live a little this year! |