St Helena

Old-fashioned voyages on the Royal Mail Ship

Jamestown (with Royal Mail Ship in the background) St Helena is a very special place in many ways. Famed as the island where Napoleon was tucked out of harm's way for the last five years of his life, it has a fascinating history. For generations it was a bustling port of vital importance to the East India Company's trade routes and its population reflects the international influences from European, to African, to Indian and even to Chinese. Scenically it is spectacular with high cliffs rising from the sea, interspersed with steep valleys and with a lush interior. Above all is the welcome extended to that rarest of breeds - the tourist!

The only scheduled transport service to the island is on the Royal Mail Ship, the RMS St Helena - and what a way to travel! The ship is not huge but caters superbly for its passengers and is a way of life as well as a vital service. The atmosphere in port when the ship is due is tangible: for some it represents reunion with family and often the first meeting of a grandchild with its grandparents; for others it is a turning point in their lives as they leave home for the first time to find work. All this will change if the proposed airport goes ahead.

Our holidays spend eight or nine days on the island, during which time we can really get to know the place and some of its people. We are privileged that some of the leading experts in their fields spend time with us so that we can begin to get to grips with the botany, Wirebird - photo: Fiona Burns the birds, the marine life and the island's history.

All our tours include time in Cape Town; some start or finish at Ascension, while others call at Walvis Bay. The itinerary for every voyage varies so the best thing is to ask for our St Helena information sheets so that you can choose the ideal one for you.

The island will not stay this way forever. It's to get its long debated airport. There have been mixed feelings about this news even among the 'Saints', as the inhabitants of the island are known, but overall it is agreed that the new facility will bring increased economic well-being to the people as well as making it easier for them to keep in touch with friends and family overseas. At the moment, the airport is not likely to be operational before 2012 as the contract has not even been awarded yet - but don't leave it too long before seeing this marvellous place before it changes for ever.

Below are links to some websites relevant to this destination.

www.nationaltrust.org.sh - An independent NGO to promote the appreciation, protection and enhancement of St Helena's unique environmental and culture heritage.

www.ascensionconservation.org.ac - Ascension Conservation.

www.sthelenatourism.com - St Helena tourism official website.