Classic Caribbean – Philipsburg, St. Maarten to Philipsburg, St. Maarten

Philipsburg is the capital of Sint Maarten, the Dutch side of the Caribbean island Saint Martin. Beachfront bars line the boardwalk along Great Bay. Voorstraat, or Front Street, has duty-free shops and casinos. The St. Maarten Zoo is home to parrots, monkeys and a playground. Sint Maarten Museum displays artifacts from the indigenous Arawak people. The ruins of 17th-century Fort Amsterdam stand on a nearby peninsula.

Charlestown is a historic waterfront neighborhood with Irish-American roots. The Freedom Trail climbs streets lined with brick townhouses and clapboard triple-decker homes to the Bunker Hill Monument, site of a key Revolutionary War battle. The 1797 U.S.S. Constitution warship and its museum are in the Charlestown Navy Yard. Main Street’s traditional pubs and stylish restaurants draw young professionals and families

Roseau is the capital of the Caribbean island nation of Dominica. It’s on the southwest coast and known for its 18th-century Creole architecture. Its cobblestone Old Market, formerly a slave auction site, sells crafts and fruit. It’s next to the Dominica Museum, with exhibits on the country’s natural and cultural history. The Dominica Botanic Gardens showcase tropical flora and native Sisserou parrots.

In the north of Mayreau is Salt Whistle Bay, a perfect half moon beach, separating the Atlantic from the Caribbean side with a sand spit only 50 yards wide, fringed by palm trees. The windward side of Mayreau is one huge deserted beach; you could spend days picnicking, sunbathing and snorkeling in the underwater world of Mayreau Garden. The southwestern, leeward beach is Saline Bay, nearly a mile of white sand with calm, clear water – ideal to bring your family!

The Îles des Saintes, or Les Saintes, are dependency islands of Guadeloupe, a French overseas territory in the Caribbean. The main island, Terre-de-Haut, is known for Pain de Sucre Beach’s coral-rich waters and palm-lined Les Saintes Bay. Overlooking the bay is 19th-century Fort Napoléon, with a museum and cactus garden. Trails cross the volcanic landscape of Terre-de-Bas Island, home to tranquil Grand Anse Beach.

Basseterre, set against the irresistible backdrop of St. Kitts’ emerald green hills and punctuated by elegant Georgian architecture, is one of the best of the Caribbean’s small capitals.

Gustavia is the main town and capital of the island of Saint Barthélemy. Originally called Le Carénage, it was renamed in honor of King Gustav III of Sweden.

Philipsburg is the capital of Sint Maarten, the Dutch side of the Caribbean island Saint Martin. Beachfront bars line the boardwalk along Great Bay. Voorstraat, or Front Street, has duty-free shops and casinos. The St. Maarten Zoo is home to parrots, monkeys and a playground. Sint Maarten Museum displays artifacts from the indigenous Arawak people. The ruins of 17th-century Fort Amsterdam stand on a nearby peninsula.