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Columbus never set foot on these sunny shores, found at the southern end of the Windward Island chain in the far eastern Caribbean. The adventurer did take it upon himself to name the destination, though -- he sailed past the tiny retreat on Jan. 22, 1498, and named it after the Spanish holiday that fell on that date.

Black-sand beaches and other stunning sights await visitors to modern St. Vincent. Most of these ebony stretches were created by La Soufriere, a 4,000-foot-tall volcano that dwarfs much of the island and offers a scenic hiking spot. Other lures include the capital, Kingstown, where lush botanical gardens date to the 18th century; Fort Charlotte, a former British stronghold; Mesopotamia Valley, a lush agricultural area that supplies much of the western world’s tropical fruits; and Mustique, a pristine private island open for day tours and beachfront lunches.

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