It's endowed with Caribbean charm, beautiful beaches and dramatic mountain peaks.
We'll debark in the BVI's capital city, Road Town, which is built around a deep U-shaped harbor fringed with hotels, restaurants, marinas and a number of quaint West Indian shops where native crafts can be purchased.
Situated on a small bluff overlooking the harbor is the residence of the BVI's British Governor and the stately Old Government House Museum.
The island's north shore contains several beautiful white sand beaches. Ridge Road runs along Tortola's spine and offers breathtaking panoramic views of the surrounding Caribbean Sea and many of the other islands in the BVI chain. Local homes dot the ridge, many built in traditional West Indian fashion with large verandahs, colorful hip roofs and gingerbread trim.
Scattered along the island's steep hillsides are banana groves. The ruins of plantation era buildings can also be seen throughout the island, remnants from the 18th and 19th century when sugar and rum were the basis of the islands' economy.
A contrast of the old and the new, the rural and the urban, Tortola is a place where a farmer can be seen riding a donkey to his vegetable plot and a cyber cafe is just around the corner.
As usual, as in all our stops, you can sign up for leisurely shore excursion trips to tour the island, the mountains, the beaches and the countryside areas.
You'll find brochures outlining shore excursions for all the islands we're visiting inside your cabin upon embarkation in Ft. Lauderdale.
Leni
"After two cruises with Freepers, I don't even want to consider going on one with just the two of us. It wouldn't be near as much fun. You don't know what you're missing".
"WOW! Great people. Freepers Rule!"
"Is it me, or was one week just not enough?"
(reply)....."It's absolutely not just you. I was having thoughts of hopping right back on and doing it all over again. What a fabulous time!"
(reply)....."What great fun! Do wish I could horseback ride through the waves every day. I agree it was much too short!"
"It was GREAT fun having a group. Always someone to join if you wanted to do something, but plenty of time for yourself".
"I had such a great time. I really didn't want it to end!"
(Upon the occasion of freeper Diotima having her hair braided on one of our island stops)...."You were so cute on the cruise with your corn rows, Dio. You nearly went native on us. Ya mon!"
Ya mon is right! We have a ball on these cruises. C"mon", join the fun for the Caribbean vacation freep of your life!
Leni
Found these pictures of Tortola. Inhale. Can't you just smell the sea breeze! Exhale! SOON!