With some of the most depressing, grey winter weather in the world, the United Kingdom showed enough sense to hold onto some Caribbean sunshine in its dwindling empire; consisting of a few larger islands and a plethora of smaller ones, the British Virgins are still considered a 'territory' of the U.K.
There are three main islands in the chain - Tortola the largest at 12 miles long, narrow and quite mountainous; Virgin Gorda with its jumble of boulders that border some of its fabulous beaches; and the flat coral island of Anegada. A few of the smaller uninhabited cays are accessible only by yacht and make a great day trip for some memorable swimming, snorkeling and sunbathing on your own deserted island.
