Caribbean

Watching the Atlantic surf crash down on the rugged east coast of this richly diverse island and, for a moment, you may feel you could be on the Cornish coast but the moment you hear the waves of gospel singing emanating from a tiny local church you realise you could not be anywhere else but Barbados.

While, over on the sheltered west coast, the glorious beaches are pure Caribbean. And there are more beaches and a lot more bars, cafés, restaurants and clubs creating a vibrant 24/7 lifestyle on the south coast, too.

In the capital and cruise port, Bridgetown, there are intriguing signs of its British colonial past while, across the island, you are really spoilt for choice. You can enjoy every watersport under the sun; stunning nature walks and bike rides; or maybe a trip to the uniquely magnificent Harrisons Cave underground complex of caverns, waterfalls, stalactites and stalagmites.

Fort-de-France is the capital of the Caribbean island of Martinique, a French overseas territory. It’s known for colonial architecture, ornate iron balconies, tropical flowers and beaches. La Savane park has a statue of Napoleon I’s wife Joséphine, a native of the island. Exhibits at the Martinique Museum of Archaeology and Prehistory focus on the island’s history, especially the pre-Columbian period

Basseterre is the capital of the Caribbean island federation of Saint Kitts and Nevis. It’s the gateway to popular Saint Kitts beaches like South Friars Bay. At the city’s heart, Independence Square has an Italian-inspired fountain. Just off the Circus traffic circle, with its Victorian Berkeley Memorial Clock Tower, is the National Museum. In the stately Old Treasury Building, it explores the islands’ colonial past.

Ici, dans le magnifique archipel des îles Vierges britanniques, la devise est: « La meilleure chose que vous pouvez faire est de ne rien faire. » Le « rien » que Tortola vous propose se compose de la natation dans les eaux opalescentes, de la détente sous un soleil radieux et des promenades le long des plages de sable blanc scintillant.

Île aux personnalités multiples, c’est l’un des rares endroits dans les Caraïbes où les puissances européennes coexistaient pacifiquement. Par conséquent, cette belle île est un mélange de goûts et de plaisirs français, néerlandais et caribéens.

Avec plus de 365 plages, on y trouve une tranche de paradis de sable blanc pour chaque jour de l’année – même une année bissextile – sur l’idyllique île de vacances d’Antigua dans les Caraïbes, qui accueillit la flotte de l’amiral Horatio Nelson à la fin des années 1700. Sur le chantier naval de Nelson s’affaire maintenant les équipages et les passagers des yachts et bateaux de croisière naviguant dans ces eaux pour leur plaisir plutôt que par patriotisme.

Avec plus de 365 plages, on y trouve une tranche de paradis de sable blanc pour chaque jour de l’année – même une année bissextile – sur l’idyllique île de vacances d’Antigua dans les Caraïbes, qui accueillit la flotte de l’amiral Horatio Nelson à la fin des années 1700. Sur le chantier naval de Nelson s’affaire maintenant les équipages et les passagers des yachts et bateaux de croisière naviguant dans ces eaux pour leur plaisir plutôt que par patriotisme.

A 150 kilomètres au nord de Trinidad et 110 kilomètres au sud-ouest de Saint-Vincent, la Grenade est l’une des plus attractives et préservées des îles du Vent. Cette île aux épices exporte de la vanille, de la cannelle, de la noix et fleur de muscade et celles-ci ne font pas que soutenir l’économie: elles parfument aussi l’air.

Castries is the capital of the island nation of St. Lucia, in the Caribbean Sea. It’s known for palm-lined Vigie Beach and as a port of call for cruise lines, with duty-free shopping near the harbor. The Cathedral Basilica of the Immaculate Conception, with its colorful murals, sits by leafy Derek Walcott Square park. Lively Castries Market is nearby. In the south, Morne Fortune hill offers views of the city.

Watching the Atlantic surf crash down on the rugged east coast of this richly diverse island and, for a moment, you may feel you could be on the Cornish coast but the moment you hear the waves of gospel singing emanating from a tiny local church you realise you could not be anywhere else but Barbados.

While, over on the sheltered west coast, the glorious beaches are pure Caribbean. And there are more beaches and a lot more bars, cafés, restaurants and clubs creating a vibrant 24/7 lifestyle on the south coast, too.

In the capital and cruise port, Bridgetown, there are intriguing signs of its British colonial past while, across the island, you are really spoilt for choice. You can enjoy every watersport under the sun; stunning nature walks and bike rides; or maybe a trip to the uniquely magnificent Harrisons Cave underground complex of caverns, waterfalls, stalactites and stalagmites.

Watching the Atlantic surf crash down on the rugged east coast of this richly diverse island and, for a moment, you may feel you could be on the Cornish coast but the moment you hear the waves of gospel singing emanating from a tiny local church you realise you could not be anywhere else but Barbados.

While, over on the sheltered west coast, the glorious beaches are pure Caribbean. And there are more beaches and a lot more bars, cafés, restaurants and clubs creating a vibrant 24/7 lifestyle on the south coast, too.

In the capital and cruise port, Bridgetown, there are intriguing signs of its British colonial past while, across the island, you are really spoilt for choice. You can enjoy every watersport under the sun; stunning nature walks and bike rides; or maybe a trip to the uniquely magnificent Harrisons Cave underground complex of caverns, waterfalls, stalactites and stalagmites.