Feature

• Add comment

As a travel writer, Gregory B. Gallagher uncovers unique and out-of-the-way geographical nooks on a regular basis but few places on his sojourns have inspired him as much as Canouan Island, part of St Vincent and the Grenadines in the Caribbean.

Canouan, meaning "turtle" in the ancient Carib dialect, lies 100 miles west of Barbados, just southwest of Mustique and north of the Tobago Cays. Part of Saint Vincent & the Grenadines, the tiny destination is where Swiss-Italian property impresario Antonio Saladino has created his own recipe for success by selecting eclectic influences from around the world, showcasing them on this diminutive coral island.

As recently as 1960, Canouan Island had zero infrastructure and the population was enduring blatantly impoverished conditions. There was not a single jetty, airport or road, and the only car belonged to the one policeman. There was no power source, clean drinking water, telephones, indoor plumbing, schools or doctor, and only a primitive ferry service. The sole source of income was from the sea. Saladino arrived in 1990 and over time has crafted a luxury destination which has empowered the community with a sense of pride and accomplishment.

• Add comment