Eastern Caribbean

See the bright lights of the Big Apple, international mecca and melting pot, with expensive brownstones, colourful neighbourhoods, great museums and ambling parks. Some come just for the shopping: theres Bloomingdales on Lex, Tiffanys on Fifth, Barneys and the unique boutiques along Madison. Or head downtown and explore the trendy shops of SoHo.

St Thomas is an island of towering cliffs and mangrove swamps. It is also the home to heart-shaped Magens Bay, which is undoubtedly one of the most pristine and beautiful of all the Caribbean beaches. In Charlotte Amalie, named after a Danish princess, you’ll find Fort Christian and Blackbeard Castle, claimed to have been the infamous pirate’s lookout. The duty-free stores now carry the bounty.

Half Dutch and half French, this island is a sun-worshippers dream. Browse all morning in Philipsburgs gingerbread shops. Then laze in the lap of luxury at one of the islands beach resorts.

Take your time browsing the vibrant market place where few visitors fail to be charmed by the friendly Creole people. What better way to seek out bargains than with the beautiful Caribbean shimmering in the distance.

Barbados is one of the most well known and beautiful islands in the eastern Caribbean. It is part of the British Commonwealth and is named after the Bearded Fig Tree, which was once found in abundance. Barbados is an island where relaxation and adventure go hand in hand. White sandy beaches stretch for miles while snorkelling and sailing are some of the world-class water sports on offer. A cruise to Barbados starts with a walk around Bridgetown, the capital city, which was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2011. The city has a charming combination of colonial buildings and Caribbean vibrancy. Make sure you visit St Nicholas Abbey, a historic plantation house and one of three Jacobean mansions in the Western Hemisphere.

Dominica is one of the Caribbeans most unspoiled destinations. Lush and mountainous, its rich rainforest embraces rare bird species, crater lakes, bubbling hot springs and splendid tumbling cascades. Trips from Roseau could include Trafalgar Falls, beautiful grottos and hot springs, and divers can explore the teeming reefs and underwater fumaroles of this natural paradise.

After strolling the charming colonial streets and shops of Basseterre, take a drive to Brimstone Hill Fort. Its impressive colonial construction is truly one of the wonders of the Caribbean.

Upon docking at Road Town, you can explore the many beauties of Tortola, including ivory-coloured sands, crystal-clear aquamarine seas and the beautiful and natural world of JR O’Neal Botanic Gardens. Local cuisine features succulent Anegada lobster, papaya and sweet potato pudding and, if your taste is for unspoilt beaches, Cane Garden Bay’s flawless horseshoe of sand is mouth-watering.

See the bright lights of the Big Apple, international mecca and melting pot, with expensive brownstones, colourful neighbourhoods, great museums and ambling parks. Some come just for the shopping: theres Bloomingdales on Lex, Tiffanys on Fifth, Barneys and the unique boutiques along Madison. Or head downtown and explore the trendy shops of SoHo.