Cocktails and Coconuts followed by Exotic Islands

A hypnotic calypso isle, Barbados is the ultimate Caribbean dream. And at just 21 miles by 14 miles, the island really is your oyster. Of course, it’s most famous for its palm-fringed beaches, but there’s more than talcum powder sands here. We’re talking a duty-free shopping scene. Gorgeous green countryside. And sights that are second to none. In a coconut shell, it’s the small island with a big fan base…….

If you’re a big fan of the beach, prepare to lose your heart to this place. Antiguans like to boast they have a different one for every day of the year. Without doubt, porcelain, palm-fringed sands and still turquoise waters are the star of this island show. But that’s not all Antigua’s got to boast about. Get ready for towns in a rainbow riot of colours. Quiet countryside that slumbers in the sunshine. And cuisine as sublime as those moon-white shores……

Two flags rule over this tiny isle – the French and the Dutch. Philipsburg is the Dutch capital and the place to head for a serious shopping splurge. Marigot, meanwhile, is the French capital, where you can divide your time between bistros and boutiques. Add to the mix dreamy Caribbean coves, kaleidoscopic reefs and lashings of sunshine and you’ve got all the ingredients for tropical bliss…….

Nature’s the star attraction in the British Virgin Islands. We dock at Tortola, the biggest isle. Here, ancient rainforests hog the limelight, beautiful botanical gardens vie for your attention, and opal-white beaches like Apple Bay and Smuggler’s Cove really steal the show. It’s wild. It’s wondrous. It’s waiting…….

One of the British Leeward Islands, St Kitts is one of the Caribbean’s pearls. Once an illustrious sugar colony, it now focuses its efforts on being a tropical paradise. And it excels in every sense, with its seductive blend of blonde sands and duck-egg blue seas. Away from the shores though, you’ll find plenty of historic sights to tick off your checklist. Or why not pop across to the neighbouring island of Nevis, which is just three kilometres over The Narrows channel?……

Flick through your French dictionary while sipping a Caribbean rum punch – Guadeloupe is where French and African influences fuse. This gorgeous spot is actually a bouquet of islands. There’s a scattering of little ones but the two main players are Basse-Terre and Grande-Terre. Together, they’re shaped like a butterfly resting quietly on the sun-blushed Caribbean. As famous for its sugar and rum as it is top dive sites and sparkling sands, this place will sweep you off your feet…

A hypnotic calypso isle, Barbados is the ultimate Caribbean dream. And at just 21 miles by 14 miles, the island really is your oyster. Of course, it’s most famous for its palm-fringed beaches, but there’s more than talcum powder sands here. We’re talking a duty-free shopping scene. Gorgeous green countryside. And sights that are second to none. In a coconut shell, it’s the small island with a big fan base…….

Pronounced ‘beck-wye’, this tiny island is still fairly untouched by tourists, and unspoilt by nature. Its coastline is fringed with sleepy, golden beaches that are backed by cedar and palm forests. Traditional boat-builders, fishermen and beachfront tenders make a living near the shores. Wander slightly further inland, meanwhile, and you’ll come across pretty, crayon-coloured houses, and shack-like restaurants serving everything from harbour-fresh fish to oven-fresh pizzas.

This little Dutch island is slowly beginning to creep onto the tourist radar, and for good reason. It offers up an unbeatable mix of footprint-free beaches and pretty colonial towns. The storybook port of Willemstad leads the pack, with its candy-coloured, red-roofed houses that gild the downtown area. It’s such an impressive sight, UNESCO have even granted the town a place on its World Heritage list…….

Nowhere showcases Aruba’s Dutch roots quite like Oranjestad. With its gable-topped houses and colonial clock towers, the island’s good-looking capital is like a little slice of Amsterdam. Of course, it’s got some only-in-the-Caribbean touches, too. Palm trees flutter in the breeze. Hourglass-fine sands stretch on for miles. And colourful wooden huts serve up a winning combination of fresh seafood and strong rum cocktails…….

If you’re in any doubt concerning what Bonaire’s all about, just look at an island number plate – above every registration number you’ll find the words ‘Divers’ Paradise’. This island in the Leeward Antilles is consistently rated as one of the best dive and snorkelling destinations in the world. Shipwrecks, tropical fish and seahorses are ripe in the waters that surround the island. Above the waterline, meanwhile, there are wild flamingo herds to see and craggy national parks to explore.

Grenada can’t fail to spice things up. It’s known as the ‘Spice Island’ after all. Wherever you head, the fragrant scent of ginger, almond, nutmeg and vanilla follows you. Plus you can see cinnamon, cocoa beans and every tropical fruit imaginable growing here. Alongside its basket of goodies, this lush landscape hides Bounty-like beaches, mountain ranges and thick rainforests. And don’t miss a wander around St George’s, one of the Caribbean’s prettiest harbours, with its pastel-coloured buildings, cobbled streets and even the odd lipstick-red London phone box…….

A hypnotic calypso isle, Barbados is the ultimate Caribbean dream. And at just 21 miles by 14 miles, the island really is your oyster. Of course, it’s most famous for its palm-fringed beaches, but there’s more than talcum powder sands here. We’re talking a duty-free shopping scene. Gorgeous green countryside. And sights that are second to none. In a coconut shell, it’s the small island with a big fan base…….