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Best places to visit in Virgin Islands, British

Although the British Virgin Islands territory is a tourist destination itself, some of its 16 inhabited islands that offer only the best of nature and history are worth visiting. The Tortola Island, which is called the “land of the turtle doves,” is the largest island overlooking Sir Francis Drake Channel, that offers a variety of local, regional and international cuisine as well as shops that sell unique local products. The Virgin Gorda Island or the “fat virgin” island, is the second largest in the territory, known for yacht clubs, cool coves and safe anchor for boats, the most celebrated beach called The Baths, and the Devil’s Bay National Park. The 4-square mile Jost Van Dyke is named after the Dutch pirate who made it as his hideaway, which is now known for its sandy strip of beaches lined up by small beach cafes offering freshly baked banana bread and coconut muffins.

Twenty miles from the Virgin Gorda Island is the Anegada Island which is considered as the sanctuary for flamingos, ospreys and terns. The most historical sites in the territory include the Callwood Rum Distillery, which has been turned into an art gallery and gift shop; the Center for Applied Marine Studies that showcases natural history and historical artifacts; Fort Recovery, the oldest historical landmark in Tortola Island built as a military gun post in 1640; Main Street shopping district in Road Town, which contains several historical landmarks including the Post Office building constructed in mid-1800, the Virgin Island Folk Museum, and the Saint Philip Anglican Church built in 1840; the Zion Hill Chapel on the west end of Tortola Island, which was built atop the hill in the 19th century, and was the site of the celebration of the Day of Emancipation of slaves in 1834.