The Way The Caribbean Used To Be

All Press Release | 2011-09-14 | Montserrat

Montserrat is gearing up to host its third annual Volcano Half Marathon, the only event of its kind in the world, on 26 November - but if the event sounds too strenuous for you, here are some more reasons to visit one of the few islands that represent what a true Caribbean holiday used to be like, before massive cruise ships, casinos and hotels took over...

1. Fast Food Chains And Traffic Jams - We Don't Think So! Montserrat has no fast food chain restaurants. Local delicacies include sumptuous lobster burgers, fried mountain chicken (frog legs) or goat water (like an Irish Stew but with goat meat chunks). You will also find no traffic jams. 'Congestion' involves about five cars and the occasional goat or donkey.      

2. Luxury Villa Holidays At Bed & Breakfast Prices - Montserrat boasts a number of luxurious villas at rental rates that won't burn a hole in your pocket. Weekly rates for a fully furnished villa with a pool, full kitchen, garden and all amenities start around $700 (about £440) per week. The villas offer ample room, lots of privacy and of course stunning views.

3. Montserrat's Free Pouring Rum Shops - Lime the night away in one of the island's many rum shops (bars). Don't be surprised when you order a mixed drink to be given the entire bottle for you to pour it for yourself - at no additional cost. Talk to the locals in the bars where stories are told about Sting, Eric Clapton, Paul McCartney, Elton John and other celebrities who frequented Montserrat often in the 1980s to use the famed Air Recording Studio. Make sure you try some bush rum (various local herbs steeped in strong white rum), which locals say will cure any cold.

4. Irish Heritage - Originally settled by the Irish, Montserrat boasts a strong Irish Heritage. St. Patrick's Day is a national holiday with a week of colourful celebrations, Montserrat style. As soon as you arrive and the Immigration Officer puts a green shamrock stamp in your passport, you will realise that you are in an extraordinary place.  


5. Montserrat Still Growing In Size - Montserrat is the only part of the British Empire that is still growing (the island is a British territory). Pyroclastic and other flows in the Exclusion Zone areas as a result of volcanic activity continue to increase the physical size of the island. Officially, Montserrat is 39 square-miles but in reality, it's more like 41 square-miles.

5+1. Everyone's A Volcanologist - Montserrat has the highest number of volcanologists per capita in the world. Start a conversation with any resident and easily, terms like pyroclastic flows, lahars, deformation, hybrid earthquakes, conduit, lava chute and Teutonicplates become integrated into the conversation. Be patient and take in the geography lesson, as you might be told to "kiss my ash."

For more information about Montserrat visit www.visitmontserrat.com <http://www.visitmontserrat.com> or call 020 7928 1600.
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For media information and/or images please contact:
The Saltmarsh Partnership
020 7928 1600
Tom Panagos tom@saltmarshpr.co.uk <mailto:tom@saltmarshpr.co.uk>
Chloe Buchanan chloe@saltmarshpr.co.uk <mailto:chloe@saltmarshpr.co.uk>
 

Chloe Buchanan
Senior Account Executive

The Saltmarsh Partnership
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