Plymouth, capital city of Montserrat

Plymouth is the capital city of Montserrat

Brades is the newly-built capital of Montserrat, a small island near Puerto Rico that is nicknamed The Emerald Isle of the Caribbean thanks to its verdant rainforests and Irish heritage. The former capital of Plymouth was blanketed in 40 feet of ash following the eruption of the Soufrière Hills volcano in 1995, and the city of Brades on the northwest shore now hosts government buildings out of harm's way.

The volcano is constantly monitored by a team of scientists dedicated to keeping locals and visitors safe from Mother Nature's inner rumblings. The northern third of the island, where Brades is located, remains a safe landing.

The volcano is naturally the island's star attraction, and a short trip from Brades takes you to the Montserrat Volcano Observatory. The viewing deck affords incredible views of the volcano, and the Visitors' Center is filled with interactive kiosks detailing the eruption's history and impact. Visitors can even handle rocks and ash spewed from Soufrière Hills.

For more stunning views of the volcano, head up to Garibaldi Hill or Jackboy Hill. St. George's Hill is the best place to get a spectacular panorama of the crater and the ruins of Plymouth, but it is often off-limits due to the volcano's activity. Before you leave Brades, contact the Montserrat Volcano Observatory to determine if making the trek to St. George's Hill is worth it.

The island of Montserrat is blessed with extraordinary natural beauty. Lush tropical rainforests blanket the land, and trails of varying difficulty welcome hikers to explore nearly every corner of the island. Many originate in or around Brades, and Montserrat's Tourist Board maintains detailed maps of each trail, including the two most popular: The Cot and the Katy Hill Trail System.

The volcano is forbidden to hikers, but the backdrop of the Center Hills is the perfect place for on-foot adventures. The extensive network of hiking trails takes visitors through dense rain forests, past old banana plantations and finally to the dramatic sea cliffs. While exploring the area, be on the lookout for the national bird, the Montserrat oriole, and other rare species, including the bridled quail dove and the forest thrush.

March is the best time to visit Brades. St. Patrick's Day is a national holiday, and Montserrat is the only island in the Caribbean that officially observes the celebration. Masquerades, concerts, dances, feasts and parties fill the island's calendar from the second week in March through the big day on the 17th. The culmination of the celebration is a massive festival that includes calypso shows, plenty of pageantry, live bands and more.