The Valley is the sole significant community on Anguilla and is a ramshackle but quaint town that houses a few pretty historic colonial buildings. Sandy Grove is where most tourists head to. This gorgeous beach is lined with dive shops, guest houses and restaurants. The picturesque bay is dotted with small boats and yachts. The huge salt pond inland draws a variety of birds.

Island Harbour is an idyllic old fishermen village where islanders go about their business undisturbed by visiting tourists. Anguilla boasts several mysterious caves while the Big Spring, positioned nearby, is worth exploring as well. The Fountain is a similar site, which formerly served as a place for worshipping the gods.

Aguilla represents an extensive range of lodging options that vary from hotel establishments to resort facilities and villas to condos. Being a popular travel destination for honeymooners, Aguilla offers romantic escapes as well. Visitors to this Caribbean island shouldn’t experience difficulties finding accommodation to suit their budget and needs.

Anguilla Wallblake International Airport is the island’s small aviation hub, located within a short distance of the Valley. The airport only receives flights from Antigua, St Martin, and St Kitts. However, connections to destinations throughout North America and Europe US are numerous from these airports. From St Martin’s Marigot Bay there’s a ferry crossing to Anguilla.

Relaxing on the sun-soaked sand and later cooling off in the clear water at one of the numerous beaches, navigating to Great Bird Island and observing the colourful underwater life onboard a glass-bottomed vessel, or spotting exotic birds at Frigate Bird Sanctuary on Barbuda are just s few of the possible activities on Antigua and Barbuda. Or you could try participating in one of the many water-based sports, strolling around some of the Caribbean’s finest and most lively markets, or seeing off the sunset with a few shots of rum.

Antigua and Barbuda is blessed with a highly enjoyable climate. Sunny, warm and mostly dry, the islands see temperatures that rarely change throughout the year. Most rainfall is experienced between August and October. During this period, the islands are occasionally hit by tropical storms. However, holiday makers shouldn’t worry as these storms usually don’t last long.

Antigua and Barbuda’s highlights include: strolling along the atmospheric English Harbour, visiting the lovely town of St John’s with its West Indian ambience, and checking out the quaint small fishing village of Fig Tree Drive. Accommodation options on Antigua and Barbuda feature inns, guest houses, resorts, intimate hotels and conference centres.

VC Bird International Airport is located just outside St John’s and receives a steady stream of flights from other Caribbean island destinations, Europe and North America. The only other transport option is via cruise ship. Ferries operate frequently between Antigua and Barbuda, making it easy to get from island to island. Taxis are relatively cheap while the local bus network offers more than adequate services.

Oranjestad is Aruba’s harbour-side capital, which attracts many visitors and has a distinct colonial Dutch atmosphere. The museums in Oranjestad are well presented and the capital boasts several popular duty-free shops. Nearby San Nicolas has a more British colonial ambience. The best beaches are positioned along the reef-protected leeward coast’s developed stretch, where snorkelling enthusiasts and divers appreciate the 30-metre visibility.

The interior’s surreal rugged landscape is dotted with twisted exotic trees, cacti, and herds of goats. The moon-like landscape of Arikok National Park is home to limestone caves and mysterious boulders. Also worthwhile seeing is the natural bridge on Aruba’s northern shore. On the island’s southeastern side tourists can visit the original capital and oldest town in Aruba, Savaneta.

Accommodation establishments on Aruba range from luxurious five-star rated resorts to intimate boutique hotels and budget-friendly motels. With the tourist industry providing Aruba’s main source of income, every lodging establishment on the island comes with modern facilities to satisfy the needs and demands of the average holidaymaker.

Queen Beatrix International Airport is Aruba’s single aviation hub, handling mostly flights from the US. Although direct international access from Europe or Canada isn’t available, linking flights are common through North American airlines such as Continental, American and Delta, with the frequency and number of routes increasing drastically during the busy winter season.

Chilling and strolling around historically rich Nassau, the Bahamas’ capital city, is a rewarding experience. Nassau represents some great shopping places, historic forts and beautiful colonial buildings. However, today an increasing amount of tourists are more interested in the nearby resorts and entertainment venues of Paradise Island. The second most favoured location on the Bahamas is Grand Bahama, which is overrun with casinos, bars, hotels, resorts and crowds of North Americans on package holidays.

The busiest islands – Grand Bahama and New Providence – offer most of the land-based features, with stunning national parks, superb beaches, mega resorts, and great entertainment options. Paradise Island and Cable Beach are the star attractions. The islands are home to an abundance of wildlife, especially birds, while the plentiful coral reefs are ideal for divers.

The Bahamas boasts an extensive range of lodging establishments. Visiting tourists will certainly be impressed by the many offered categories and styles that include standard hotel guest rooms to two-bedroom facilities in the more popular and expensive resort amenities as well as guest houses, bed and breakfast establishments, apartments, villas and campsites.

The Bahamas boasts two main international airports, with New Providence Island’s Lynden Pindling International Airport (Nassau International Airport) being the busiest. The airport receives flights from North America including Canadian destinations. European travellers will have to route via the likes of Miami or New York City to get here. Ferries and cruise ships offer another way to arrive in the Bahamas, with frequent sailings from the UK, the US, the West Indies and South America.

The western coast of Barbados has numerous coral beaches of fine white sand; snorkelling and scuba diving in the clear blue sea is fantastic. Brandons, Battsrock, Good Shepherd Beach and Paynes Bay are all popular beaches.

The capital, Bridgetown, is still worthy of a visit and has some great attractions. This waterfront destination of many cruise ships is busy and has many duty-free and retail shops. The statue of Admiral Lord Nelson (built in 1813) stands in Trafalgar Square, emulating the original London landmark. Beautiful stained glass Victorian public buildings line the square. St Michael’s Cathedral lies to the east and was built in 1655. Synagogue Lane houses some of the oldest synagogues in the Western hemisphere.

Barbados Museum, located in a former prison, is in the parish of St Michael and has an extensive range of artefacts. St Anna Fort, a red building with a clock house, was a British garrison and is located near by. The island’s quiet interior has many parishes such as St Thomas and St George, which are not on the main tourist route and can be visited by car or on foot.

There is great selection of accommodation available. Hotels, resorts and guesthouses offer an amazing selection with facilities and prices to suit your budget. There is a good variety of restaurants, bars and nightlife.

Barbados is very well-connected to many countries and the list of airlines that fly direct to the island is impressive. The main airport in Barbados is Grantley Adams International Airport, also known as Barbados International Airport. Airlines that serve Barbados include British Airways, Virgin Atlantic, American Airlines and several other international and Caribbean airlines. There are also numbers of ports with a good choice of services in Barbados.

The island of Tortola has powdery white beaches, lush scenic mountains and sheltered harbours filled with yachts. There are numerous beautiful beaches; some worth a mention are Brewer’s Bay for its snorkelling and diving and Apple Bay for its surfing. Virgin Gorda is a dramatically shaped island that reminded Christopher Columbus of a fat virgin, hence the name.

The island of Jost Van Dyke has a very small population, with fewer than 200 inhabitants. The locals have a good reputation for being very friendly and welcoming. Anegada is the only coral island. There are many festivals on the British Virgin Islands and they give a great insight into the country’s culture and heritage.

There are numerous national parks on the British Virgin Islands, all offering spectacular scenery and wildlife. There is an amazing Marine National Park with the wreck of the Rhone as its star attraction. The ship was sunk in a hurricane in 1867 and now is a stunning dive site. Cam Bay National Park, Dead Chest National Park And Devil’s Bay National Park are just a short list of the many stunning parks to visit and explore.

There is a huge selection of hotels, cottages, apartments, guesthouses and resorts in the British Virgin Islands. They are situated throughout the islands and offer accommodation on the coast, in towns or in the mountains. Price ranges are varied from the affordable to the opulent. There is a fantastic array of cuisine and restaurants available.

There are no direct flights to the British Virgin Islands. Terrence B Lettsome Airport (EIS) receives flights from several Caribbean countries as well as servicing internal flights. Main connecting flights are served from Puerto Rico and Antigua. There are several ports where it is possible to gain access to the islands.

George Town is located on the west of Grand Cayman and has some historic buildings; Fort George dates back to the 18th century. The city is undergoing a lot of development and there are many new shops and condos being constructed. The waterfront offers a little peace and quiet and a more laid-back approach to life. Seven Mile Beach is to the north of George Town and has many hotels and a good beach and clear water.

Grand Cayman’s botanical gardens are beautiful, with over 300 native species, including orchids. A scenic coastal route runs north to south and there are some secluded resorts and pretty scenery. A visit to Hell is a consideration; it’s a small settlement among black rock formations.

Cayman Brac is mainly flat and dry. However, its main attraction is the diving, with some stunning reefs and unusual dive sites. Cayman Brac’s most famous dive site is a Russian destroyer that was sunk in 1996 (on purpose), offering some unique diving experiences. There is also the famous National Trust Parrot Reserve. Little Cayman is a quiet backwater and caters in the main for divers. Its attractions are all underwater and include Bloody Bay Wall and Jackson Point on the northwestern coast.

There are several hotels and resorts. There is a good selection of hotels with a variety of prices from affordable to expensive; all tastes are catered for. The restaurants on Grand Cayman offer a good choice of food and a range of prices and locations.

A variety of airlines fly between Grand Cayman’s Owen Roberts International Airport and several US cities, including Miami, Tampa and Orlando. There are also daily flights to Cayman Brac’s Gerard-Smith International Airport.

Cuba has some amazing architecture; Havana has some of the best examples. Havana is the capital of Cuba and on the northern coast of Cuba. Old Havana is an UNESCO World Heritage site and has beautiful old Spanish colonial buildings that are steadily being restored. Some of the most majestic buildings have been converted into museums. The musical heritage of Cuba and the friendliness of its locals ensure that Havana has a very lively nightlife.

The second biggest city in Cuba is Santiago de Cuba, located in the far southeast of the island. The city is beautifully located on a large bay and is backed by the Sierra Maestre Mountains and borders one of the most stunning nature reserves in the country. Camaguey is another city that has a great musical and art culture and heritage, with a famous orchestra and ballet.

Cuba offers some of the best dive sites in the Caribbean with clear, clean waters and amazing coral reefs teaming with fish. Verdaro is 144kms away from Havana; it’s situated on a long narrow peninsula and is one of the best beach resorts on Cuba, with over 19kms of beautiful sandy beaches.

Cuba offers a fantastic selection of accommodation, from inexpensive guesthouses to luxurious hotels and resorts. The prices are very varied and are suitable for a variety of budgets. Restaurants and cafés are very good, with a great choice of cuisine available.

Visitors to Cuba will arrive by cruise ship or by plane. Jose Marti International Airport is located close to Havana. There are several ports that cruise ships can dock at, but there is no scheduled ferry service to Cuba.

The capital city of Dominica is Roseau. Roseau has a population of around 20,000 and it’s a typical friendly Caribbean town. There are many colourful buildings, busy markets and some appealing seaside accommodation.

Dominica’s interior is its main attraction, with rainforests, hot springs and lakes. There are numerous rivers and cascading waterfalls, all combining to make some very scenic driving routes. It is also home to the world’s second largest boiling lake. Well worth the two-hour hike.

Cabrits National Park is beautiful and is home to the 17th century Fort Shirley. Indian River takes you on a trip through the mangroves. Morne Trois Pitons National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage site situated in the southern half of the island. The park is over 6,000 hectares and has some excellent hiking through Dominica’s volcanic interior. Scotts Head is a charming village and nearby are hot springs at Soufriere. Dominica also has some amazing diving, with caves and volcanic pinnacles to explore.

The hotels and resorts on the island offer a good variety. Standards of hotels are very good and prices are varied. Hotels are situated mainly on the coast but can also be found in the more mountainous regions. There are many places to eat on the island, ranging from local cafés to restaurants of international standard.

Dominica has only a small airport that is not capable of taking long-range flights. There is a new cruise ship harbour at Roseau that receives many cruise ships while smaller boats come in from neighbouring Caribbean islands with large international airports.

The capital of the Dominican Republic is Santa Domingo. The capital city has many interesting places to visit and is an exciting city. However, as with many other cities, take care when visiting certain areas, particularly at night.

A destination worth visiting is Zona Colonial, the landing point of the Spanish conquest of the Americas and a post once occupied by Christopher Columbus’ son, Diego. Planning your visit to coincide with one of the many festivals or carnivals is a great idea; with so many colourful costumes, carnival floats and music it is a fantastic way to sample the culture and enjoy a good party.

The Amber Coast is on the northern coast of the island and has the world’s richest amber deposits in the surrounding hills. The Amber Coast is best known for its 120kms stretch of beaches. This area is well developed and has many hotels and resorts, though small towns with a laid–back feel can still be found.

Established in the 1950s, the Parque Nacionales and the Cordillera Central are home to some of the highest peaks in the Caribbean. The parks attract hikers from all over the world. The town of Constanza is 1,200m up in the Cordillera Central and is very cool and refreshing, making a great base to explore this region. The area also has fruit orchards and flower gardens.

Hotels and guest houses are numerous, offer a good variety of prices right across the board and cater for many tastes. Restaurants offer a good selection of cuisine and can be found in a variety of locations.

Due to the size of the country, there are several international airports to choose from. Las Americas International Airport and Punta Cana International Airport are the two main airports and receive non-stop flights from the US. The other airports are Punta Plata International Airport and Casa de Campo International Airport. The airport you chose depends on your destination in the Dominican Republic and the airline. There are many ports offering a variety of services.