Caribbean

Warm all year round with gentle trade winds, each island in the Caribbean offers its own unique atmosphere, cuisine and history. Wherever you choose for your Caribbean holiday promises unforgettable memories. There's something for everyone in the Caribbean, lush rainforests, cascading waterfalls and idyllic white beaches with the surrounding brilliant aquamarine seas. Rhythmic steel drum melodies to set the mood, exciting nightclubs, casinos for you to try your luck and diverse cuisine. Luxury accommodation and laid-back charm will leave you thoroughly pampered and totally relaxed.

Best time to visit:

In general the best months to visit Mexico and the Caribbean are outside the hurricane season – December – May. The official hurricane season runs from 1 June – 30 November. Mexico you will find the best months are during the dry period November to April. The rainy season in the south begins in May and runs through to October.

Antigua & Barbuda

Antigua is in the Leeward Islands of the Caribbean, and is a hub for onward travel to many other islands in the Caribbean. Its cooling trade winds ensure the weather is perfect for the sailing events which rank top in both the Caribbean and the World each year. Antigua has 365 palm fringed white beaches – yes! One for each day of the year – and is the ideal setting for sheer relaxation. For the more energetic there is an endless choice of water-sports. A highlight of any holiday to Antigua is witnessing a fiery sunset from the summit of Shirley Heights saluting the end of another day in paradise.

Bahamas

The Bahamas consist of hundreds of low-lying sandy islands surrounded by aquamarine waters.With its friendly efficient service and safe British-Colonial atmosphere this makes an unforgettable holiday experience. The main tourist areas in the Bahamas are Paradise Island and Cable Beach on New Providence, and Freeport on Grand Bahama. New Providence is \the Bahamian capital Nassau is on New Providence and is a sophisticated and elegant town, combining colonial architecture, glamorous restaurants and boutiques, pristine white beaches and warm turquoise waters Paradise Island is just across the water from Nassau, joined by a bridge. Here are miles of sandy beaches and some spectacular hotels. There are a variety of water-sports on offer at the hotels. The islands are world famous for bone-fishing and deep sea fishing adventures and the coral reefs offer spectacular diving.

Bermuda

Bermuda is in the Atlantic Ocean, and is made up of seven main islands linked by causeways and bridges. Famed for its beautiful pink sand beaches, white roofs, pastel coloured cottages, there is no where else like it Hamilton, is probably one of the most laid back capital cities in the world. The city has very little traffic due to the restriction of one car per household. The picturesque harbour is lined with colourful colonial style buildings and you will still see traffic policemen in their Bermuda shorts directing the traffic on a birdcage (the famous birdcage style podiums). A tour round Hamilton will take no longer than a morning, there are some fabulous beaches to the south and west of the city plus some beautiful gardens and interesting museums. St. Georges, the former capital, on the northeast tip of the island is a beautiful, historic town with picture perfect pastel-coloured colonial buildings. The town has many fascinating buildings and insights into the islands history, such as the first stone building constructed on the island in 1620, The beaches in Bermuda are stunning many are made of pink coral sand. Horseshoe Bay at the far end of South Shore Park is considered to be one of the most beautiful in the world, Somerset Long Bay is a stunning white stretch of dazzling sand on the west of the island. Wherever you are on the island you will never be more than a mile from the sea.

Barbados

Barbados is famed for its easy-going calypso culture, where a strong sense of history and culture fuses with a laid-back vibe. To really get to know Barbados, you should take to the waters and get a totally new perspective from a catamaran tour, while snorkelling in the crystal clear waters offers spectacular underwater scenery. Whilst you can find everything in your resort, it’s worth putting down the rum punch and visiting some nearby towns and villages to soak up the local flavour or travel to the less developed east coast for the rugged scenery and hectic Atlantic surf. The south of the island has a buzzing nightlife for the party animals, and those seeking a more sedate holiday will find the peace and tranquillity they're after in the west, together with the classic white sands framed by tropical fronds. As well as 'limin' (chilling out) on your Barbados holiday, you will have to find the time to fit in some 'wining' (no, not the drink - it's Bajan dancing)

Virgin Islands

This pristine holiday destination consists of 60 mostly uninhabited islands. The scenery is both stunning and varied with lush vegetation and jagged volcanic peaks cascading down to deserted beaches and spectacular scenery which are the hallmark of these islands. Renowned as one of the finest yachting areas in the world, these islands were also a haven for pirates and smugglers in times past. This nautical legacy has left a wealth of forbidding shipwrecks that offer fantastic diving, particularly around the coral island of Anegada. There are some large resorts but there aren't any high rise hotels or casinos and very few nightclubs. Tortola is the main island and the business centre of the territory and has several luxury hotels on the north shore where the best beaches are to be found. Peter Island is a private 1800 acre island, home to the luxury Peter Island Resort Hotel, recently named as one of the best resorts in the world by Conde Nast Traveller. The British Virgin Islands offer fantastic hotels and service in stunning surroundings, and their reputation for tranquillity and exclusivity makes them a perfect destination for couples and honeymooners who just want to relax and enjoy a tranquil vacation.

St Barths

Cayman Islands

A reputation as one of the Caribbean’s most sophisticated islands make the Cayman Islands one of the world’s foremost tropical destinations. Luxuriate on wide, sandy beaches with crystal-clear waters that teem with coral reefs and marine creatures. The Seven Mile Beach on Grand Cayman is particularly popular and where many of Grand Caymans restaurants are situated, ranging from the height of sophistication to fast food outlets. Some of the best snorkelling and diving in the world is found here, with the different Islands offering different challenges and varying marine environments. The beaches of the Cayman Islands are said to be among the best in the Caribbean. As well as offering the full range of water sports, there is year round deep-sea game fishing, plus shore fishing on all three Islands. Rather than combating pirate invasion, the closest you will probably get to exertion is diving in shipwrecks, walking through rainforest, and letting velvety stingray brush against you. Although the Cayman Islands is a British Colony, the atmosphere of Grand Cayman is more like that of the Florida coast than a true Caribbean Island.

Cuba

Cuba swings to a different rhythm, and at first it can be hard to get the beat. Cuba's extraordinary history, its years of self-sufficiency and its unique Afro-Latin culture make for a holiday destination that's like nowhere else on earth. Life here has a random edge to it that will be like nothing you have experienced before, so adopt that essential laid-back attitude, light up a Havana cigar, order a rum cocktail and that special Cuban vibe will get under your skin. Staying at a casa particular (a private home with rooms to rent) will give you a glimpse of life for the average Cubano, and opens up parts of the country that were once inaccessible or off-limits. It also frees up more money to enjoy the raucous nightlife that made Havana famous. Cuba is the largest and one of the most fascinating of the Caribbean Islands. It has a unique and colourful history, presently seen in the form of its unspoilt colonial towns, lovingly nurtured vintage cars and pristine beaches. Here you will find all the pleasures we associate with this part of the world: sun, sea, sand and a laid-back vibe - but with a difference.

Varadero is on a narrow peninsula that stretches far out into the calm waters of the Atlantic. The 21-kilometre strip of white sand is an ideal spot for sun-worshippers, water babies and golfers. But this white beach set against a backdrop of astonishing turquoise water and azure sky is not the only attraction in Matanzas province. The nearby cities of Cárdenas and Matanzas (the provincial capital) are known for their art, history and culture. Southwest of Varadero, on the province's Caribbean coast, is the Zapata Peninsula, famous for its ecotourism and history.

Best time to visit:

Having a warm tropical climate you will find two seasons in Cuba – June – November you have the hurricane season and it is hot and humid. Their winter months December – January it can be cooler with temperatures that can drop below 20 degrees centigrade. Summer months of July-Aug temperatures rise significantly especially in Santiago de Cuba and Havana.

Grenada

Grenada is often referred to as 'Spice Island', with more spices per square mile than anywhere else on the planet, and the sweet scents of nutmeg, cinnamon, ginger and vanilla often linger in this clement climate, adding an 'air' of exoticism to the Caribbean country. Just as there is often spice in the air, there is music if you seek it. With Grenada's African origins, calypso is the music of the native Grenadian. West Indian rhythms also translate into West Indian dishes, with Grenada's palate-tempting foods such as callaloo soup (much like spinach), seafood and seasoned meats. Grenada is only 22 miles by 12 miles with a largely rural, undeveloped feel to it. The neighbouring isle of Carriacou is also perfect for a day trip. Enjoy the laid-back life of Grenadian capital St George's on your holiday in Grenada. Stroll along Caribbean white-sand beaches on the neighbouring island of Carriacou. Get off the beaten track, hiking the trails of Grand Etang National Park. Then dive the coral reefs circling the islands. Grenada has one of the loveliest and most varied environments in the Caribbean, including crater lakes, as well as a variety of plant and animal life. Dwarf forests high atop Mount St Catherine descend to the rainforests of middle altitudes, which give way in turn to the dry forests of the lowlands. Those forests shift to mangrove at the coast, giving way to stunning white sand beaches, brilliant blue water and exquisite coral reefs.

Jamaica

Jamaica’s landscape is as varied and flamboyant as its people. Holidays in Jamaica offer tropical rainforests, misty peaks, undulating farmland and classically golden beaches while vibrant tropical blooms sit on a backdrop of blue mountain peaks. The island is understandably a popular honeymoon destination. Although natural attractions have been commercialised, somehow this has not spoiled Jamaica. The third-largest island in the Caribbean is a magnificent kaleidoscope of colour and beauty. The engaging laid-back ways of the people encourage you to forget your watch, relax on the beach or indulge in one of the many watersports on offer. Swim at the famous Blue Lagoon, explore the cool Blue Mountains or make your way to the top of Dunn’s River Falls, you are never short of something to fill the lazy golden days. The adopted home of the Rasta, Jamaica is a riot of red, gold, and green. Bob Marley’s birthplace, reggae remains at the island's musical heart. Rice-and-peas, rum, coffee and cricket are its soul. Laid-back Negril boasts an 11km beach lined with funky beach bars painted in bubblegum hues. Sizzling Montego Bay is a paradise for shoppers and also has a reputation as a party town. If you’re up for a full-on island that runs to a catchy beat, Jamaica’s the place.

St Kitts & Nevis

St. Kitts remains un-crowded and unspoiled, famous for its excellent preservation of the ecosystems. Commercialisation has not yet taken over and travellers will enjoy the easygoing, quiet way of life of the local people which remains almost unspoiled. St. Kitts seems to embody a kind of lush tropical paradise usually associated with the South Pacific. The atmosphere here is an intoxicating blend of sunlight, sea, air and fantastically abundant vegetation. At the centre of St. Kitts stands the spectacular, cloud-fringed peak of Mount Liamuiga, a dormant volcano covered by a dense tropical forest. Nature lovers will want to take tours through lava formations, tropical forest areas, and seaside lagoons. Boating tours and scuba diving expeditions are also favourite activities. Plantation homes have been transformed into grand, intimate inns. Quaint shopping areas and beautiful Colonial architecture draw visitors to the tiny towns. If a quiet vacation in a luxurious and alluring corner of paradise is what you seek, you'll find it on St. Kitts.

St Lucia

St Lucia is one of the Windward Islands of the Lesser Antilles, located midway down the Eastern Caribbean chain. Only 27 miles long and 14 miles wide, the island is said to resemble either a mango or an avocado - depending on your taste. The Atlantic Ocean kisses its eastern shore, while the beaches of the west coast owe their beauty to the calm Caribbean Sea.

Its dramatic twin coastal peaks, the Pitons, soar 2,000 feet up from the sea, sheltering magnificent rain forests where wild orchids, giant ferns, and birds of paradise flourish. The rainforest is broken only by verdant fields and orchards of banana, coconut, mango, and papaya trees.

Brilliantly-plumed tropical birds abound, including the endangered St. Lucia parrot. Diving, snorkeling, sailing, yachting, wind surfing, hiking, running and trail riding are just a few of the adventure activities awaiting you in St. Lucia. After your daily workout relax in a spa or have a massage at any of the world-class full-service facilities. St Lucia is dotted with aged fortresses, small villages, and open-air markets. With its fascinating melange of a rich past and many different traditions and the warmth and charm of its people, this relatively unknown island is a small lush tropical gem well worth visiting.

When to go:

The climate is warm throughout the year making it ideal for outdoor activities. The best time to visit is from December to May. It is wise to avoid hurricane season in September and October.

The Grenadines

The Grenadines are undeveloped, unspoilt and sufficiently inaccessible to stay that way. This jewel-like chain of 32 islands is home to some of the Caribbean's most alluring hideaway hotels. As you might expect, watersports are superb and it's a sailor's paradise. Saint Vincent is the largest of the islands. Here, you’ll find Georgian architecture, stunning botanical gardens, historical sights like Fort Charlotte. When you have soaked up enough sun on one of the palm dotted white sand beaches, visit the Old Hegg Turtle Sanctuary where you can see the almost-extinct Hawksbill turtle. Take a Jeep tour along the winding mountain roads next to rain forests, remote villages and gorges with fresh-water streams. Island hop to tiny Bequia where the locals gather for barbecues at the Frangipani Hotel and divers don their gear to explore undersea life.. Six varieties of dolphins and orca and pilot whales can be found here in the sparkling clear waters. Visit the bustling markets where fruit or fish vendors rub shoulders with Rastafarians selling souvenirs. This is where you can really see the Caribbean spirit in action. The lively music here will captivate you as you watch live bands or go to a “jump up”, where having a good time is the only thing on your agenda. Whether you're looking for relaxed glamour or barefoot simplicity, you will find it all here.

Turks & Caicos

The beautiful Turks and Caicos Islands sit in the Atlantic Ocean, southeast of the Bahamas. This cluster of 40 islands and cays is a place where you can truly get away from it all. The main attractions are the white sandy beaches which collectively cover 230 miles, the crystal clear turquoise waters are perfect for a variety of water-sports and the diving is magnificent as the islands are surrounded by one of the largest coral reefs in the world. Officially a British Crown Colony, the style here is abundantly American. Standards are high and the island is developing fast, and while the arid, low-lying interior has little of interest, there are good excursions to outlying islands should you want to get off the sun-lounger. People on the islands known as 'Belongers' are known for their friendly spirit, which will ensure this is a destination that will help people de-stress, feel comfortable and truly relax. The hotels, restaurants and spas are of an excellent standard and the bars and nightlife are plentiful and varied, often centred around the hotels. A romantic getaway which will delight honeymooners, this destination will delight all.

Mexico

While it is famous for its beaches, Mexico is a country with breathtaking scenery, rich culture, renowned archaeological attractions, fine cuisine and eco-diversity. There are Mexico holidays for eco-tourists, couples, honeymooners and families, as well as adults-only resorts. It is one of the few package holiday destinations where the visitor can find lively holiday resorts combined with beauty and nature. Even the very liveliest resorts, such as Cancun, are only a few miles away from romantic, tranquil locations with opportunities to swim with dolphins or ride a horse along the beach. Mexico is a nation that loves to party. Cancun, situated on the Caribbean coast is one of the most popular destinations in Mexico. The stunning beaches, crystal blue waters, oceanfront restaurants and gorgeous tropical weather together with an exhilarating nightlife make the perfect all-round holiday destination. A little further south lies Cozumel, a Mexican island just a short hop from the east coast of Mexico in the Caribbean Sea with spectacular coral reefs perfect for snorkelling. The culture and cuisine of this amazing island combine Caribbean charm and a subtle Mexican holiday spirit. One of the most popular holiday destinations on the Pacific coast of Mexico is Puerto Vallarta, a picturesque historical town with plenty of white sandy beaches, quaint cobbled streets and lots of old colonial architecture. There are plenty of activities here, including all the latest water sports, modern bars and restaurants and an atmospheric nightlife with an energetic ambience. A new addition to the Mexico holiday experience is the Huatulco region on Mexico’s pacific coast, where the resorts are in bays all along the coastline, making them more exclusive, with all the facilities and amenities you would expect to find.

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