RSSC Experience

Activities

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	St. Barts - Gustavia

The 8-square-mile island of St. Barthélemy was named after Columbus' Brother, Bartolomeo. The first colonists were the French, who arrived in 1645, but later sold the land to the Knights of Malta. The island was then abandoned after several raids by the Carib Indians and was resettled in 1674 by the French. The British occupied St. Barts for a short time during the 17th century, but the French prevailed again, selling the island to Sweden in 1784. The Swedish heritage of St. Barts can be felt in the capital of Gustavia. France bought the island back from Sweden in 1878, and today it is considered part of the Dependency of Guadeloupe, an Overseas Department of France.

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	St. Thomas - Charlotte Amalie

Charlotte Amalie, the capital of the U.S. Virgin Islands is located on St. Thomas Island. The fierce Carib Indians originally inhabited the island, and today it is home to a melting pot of people from virtually every race, nationality and religion of the world. The oldest structure on St. Thomas is the 17th century Danish Fort Christian, built by the Danes to protect the city from pirates. St Thomas lies about 75 miles east of Puerto Rico and 40 miles north of St Croix. Thirteen miles long and less than 3 miles wide, with an area of 32 square miles and population of 51,000, St Thomas rises out of the sea to a range of hills. The highest peak, Crown Mountain, is 1,550 feet, but on St Peter Mountain, 1,500 feet, is the viewpoint of Mountain Top. Various scenic roads can be driven, such as Skyline Drive (Route 40), from which both sides of the island can be seen simultaneously. This road continues west as St Peter Mountain Road, with a detour to Hull Bay on the north coast. Route 35, Mafolie Road, leaves the capital, Charlotte Amalie, heading north to cross the Skyline Drive and becomes Magen's Bay Road, descending to this beautiful bay and beach. It should be said that much of the island has seen great development, especially on the eastern side.

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	Tortola - Roadtown

Tortola is the largest of the British Virgin Islands and is known for its Sage Mountain National Park, covered with primeval rainforest. During colonial times, pirates sailed along the shoreline of these beautiful islands in search of great treasures. Though the islands remain a British Dependency, the official currency was changed to the U.S. dollar.

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	Grand Turk

Horseback Ride & Swim Tour. You will depart the cruise ship pier in air-conditioned comfort for the scenic twenty minute coach ride along the coast and across the island to the other side. The trip bypasses Governor's Beach, the local airport and one of Grand Turk's natural salinas that has been newly renovated to show visitors to the island how salt is obtained in its natural form. Salt was once Grand Turk's main source of income. You will continue your drive past the charming little city of Cockburn Town, the administrative and political capital of the Turks & Caicos Islands, before reaching the Grand Turk Indigenous Horse Shelter where your tour begins.
Once mounted on your horse, you will go for a leisurely walk along the beach while enjoying the view of the crystal clear Atlantic Ocean. Learn about the history of the catchment area that can be seen in the distance before your swim in the ocean with the horses.
Your guides will then unsaddle your mounts and prepare them for the swim. You then remount your horse, with a halter and enter the ocean for the "experience of a lifetime". Afterward, you can take a shower and relax, before being transferred back to the ship. On the return journey you can enjoy the view of the North Creek where many locals have their boats moored and is the only hurricane shelter for yachts traveling between Nassau and Puerto Rico. If you are lucky you may catch a glimpse of the famous endangered "Pink Flamingos" basking in the sun in one of the many salinas on the Island.

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	St. Maarten - Philipsburg

St. Maarten is the smallest piece of land shared by two sovereign states. Legend has it that the Dutch and French boundaries of the island were determined by two men who challenged one another in a race around the island. The meeting point on the other side became the boundary, and since the Frenchman walked faster, the French claimed five more square miles than the Dutch did. Legend or not, both the Dutch and the French settled here in the 1630¿s and despite occupancy by the British twice, the Dutch and French have lived peacefully together ever since they arrived. Exploring the island, visitors discover St. Maarten¿s Dutch capital of Philipsburg and the French flavor of St. Martin¿s capital of Marigot. All around the island are fine beaches, excellent cuisine and some great duty-free shopping.

Around the Island Art Tour. This tour takes you around the island through St. Martin/St. Maarten's most charming local districts to visit the island's elite group of talented artists, and it offers a fascinating insight into the world of some of the Caribbean's most brilliant artistic minds. Your tour will begin in picturesque French Oyster Pond, where you will enter the quaint home and gallery of Dona Bryhiel. Dona is a well-known artist of the modern figurative style and mixed media. Her beautiful watercolors of France and St. Martin are a pleasure to behold. Your tour then continues on into Oyster Pond to the home and studio of Marie Moine, who continues the French tradition of "big fire earthenware." Her "Creole paintings" are exclusive freehand creations rich with many colors.
Then we head for O'Reilly Hill, overlooking Grand Case, where you will visit the home and studio of Minguet, whose lithographs, oils and watercolors burst forth in explosions of incredible colors. Concordia is next, a bustling suburb of Marigot it is where you will see the home of Francis Eck, a French professional artist of the modern figuration school. He is well traveled through prestigious international exhibitions: Paris, London, Tokyo, Geneva, and recently, Art International New York 98. You then proceed to Dutch St. Peters, where you will enter the home of Ruby Bute, a proud daughter of the soil. In her watercolors, oils, acrylics and pastels one can enjoy St. Maarten's culture and the natural beauty of the island and its people. She invites you to come and feel at home as she recites her poetry to you.
The latest addition to the tour is Maximilian's 'Art in the Garden' gallery located in Midtown Philipsburg, Dutch Saint Maarten. Set in a garden, this gallery is a unique feature on the island, whereby original paintings and prints by artist Maximilian, are being displayed among plants and flowers. From realism to abstract, you will find original works in oil, pastel and acrylic. Considered to be one of the most successful artists on Dutch St. Maarten, with numerous exhibitions locally, as well as in Washington D.C., New York and Cuba, his work has been the target of international collectors as well as local patrons. Please note: Artists will allow photographs and videos to be taken of their home and works in general, but not individual paintings. Most major credit cards are accepted by the artists. Art works are available for purchase and prices vary from a few dollars to thousands of dollars.

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