Montserrat, an overseas territory of Great Britain, is a small but beautiful Caribbean island in the Lesser Antilles chain located 30 miles west of Antigua. Like all of the Caribbean islands, Montserrat was originally formed by volcanic activity, with its "Soufriere Hills" laying dormant for centuries.
In 1995, however, the volcano came back to life, and a series of pyroclastic eruptions led to the evacuation of the southern half of the island and the eventual destruction of its capital city Plymouth. Although two-thirds of the inhabitants left the island, the roughly 5,000 people who remained worked hard to restore this "emerald isle of the Caribbean" back to a place that is often described as "the way the Caribbean used to be."
Montserrat is famous for its friendly people and laid back atmosphere. If you are looking for an island with casinos, fancy hotels, and night clubs, this is not the place for you. If, on the other hand, you seek natural beauty, a quiet unhuried pace, genuinely friendly people, and a near perfect climate you may have found your new favorite island.
Although the volcano at the south end of the island remains active, it is geographically isolated by numerous mountain ridges from the populated north. The Montserrat Volcano Observatory (see web-link) provides an excellent and safe place for viewing this natural wonder.
You can reach Montserrat via air shuttle service from Antigua, which has jet service from major US, Canadian, and European cities.
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