31 Across

NYT Daily • August 2, 2025

Vacation isle for many a Francophile, familiarly

Answer:

STBARTS

Hint:

["Here’s a helpful hint for the clue:\n\n*\"Caribbean hotspot often shortened in travel guides, with a French flair.\"*\n\nThis hint:\n- Narrows the location to the Caribbean.\n- Suggests the answer is an abbreviation (\"shortened\").\n- Reinforces the French connection (\"French flair\") without repeating \"Francophile.\"\n- Avoids giving away the exact name while guiding the solver toward the right context."]

Explanation:

Certainly! Here's a clear and concise explanation of the crossword clue and its answer: **Clue:** "Vacation isle for many a Francophile, familiarly" **Answer:** "STBARTS" **Explanation:** The answer refers to **St. Barts** (short for **Saint Barthélemy**), a Caribbean island known as a popular vacation destination, especially among French-speaking travelers (Francophiles). The clue uses "familiarly" to indicate the informal abbreviation "STBARTS" rather than the full name. The wordplay relies on recognizing the island's nickname and its association with French culture. - **"Vacation isle"** hints at a tropical destination. - **"Francophile"** suggests a French connection (St. Barts is a French overseas collectivity). - **"Familiarly"** signals the use of a shortened or informal name. Thus, the clue cleverly combines geography, language, and abbreviation to lead to the answer.

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