"Discovered," like most Caribbean islands, by Christopher Columbus, St. Barths was named after his brother, Bartolomeo. But it wasn’t until after a playground-style tug-of-war left the island in French hands that development began. Clued in to the island’s sketch-worthy panorama, American billionaire David Rockefeller bought up land in the 50s for a private home, and St. Barths’s exclusivity and prestige skyrocketed. Next came Jimmy Buffet, and then Jay Z and Beyonce, and then not many else who don’t own a yacht. If you do sneak in by pedestrian means, such as a ferry, you’ll find a swanky town free of day-trippers and tacky tourists. Though there has been a measurable amount of growth due to the general public’s celebrity intrigue, locals have managed to retain the chic vibe of the place and pristine beaches as the main attractions.