Christmas in the Caribbean

With some of the oldest colonial buildings in the Caribbean, the elegant St. Kitts & Nevis capital of Basseterre is a beautiful town bursting with history. 

Established by the French in the 17th century, and claimed by the British following the Napoleonic War, much of Basseterre’s original Georgian architecture still stands and begs to be explored. The domed Old Treasury Building on the waterfront – now the National Museum – is worth a visit, as is the Victorian Berkeley Memorial Clock, a four-face, cast-iron tower that sits on the Circus, an original 19th century traffic roundabout. St George’s, an Anglican church originally built by the French, has been destroyed by fire several times, and was rebuilt to its present form in 1869.

Away from the town, visitors can take a tour to Brimstone Hill Fortress to admire magnificent views across the island, travel on the St. Kitts Scenic Railway – said to be one of the most attractive train journeys in the world.

Basse-Terre, the main city on the island of the same name, is the administrative capital of French overseas region Guadeloupe, and the ideal place from which to explore all of the natural beauty that the island has to offer. Separated from Grand-Terre by a narrow river, the island of Basse-Terre is an ecological paradise, with the sprawling Parc National de la Guadeloupe in the centre of the island and one of the country’s most glorious beaches in the north.

The city of Basse-Terre sits in the shadow of La Soufrière, an active volcano reaching almost 1,500 metres high. Located within Parc National de la Guadeloupe, La Soufrière is the highest point in the Lesser Antilles. Another highlight within the national park is Les Chutes du Carbet, a series of waterfalls that cascade down through La Soufrière’s forested slopes. In the northwest of the island, Grand Anse beach in Deshaies is picture perfect. A kilometre stretch of glorious sandy beach that sits between the vibrant ocean and lush rolling hills.

Roseau, Dominica’s capital, is a compact, vibrant and charmingly chaotic city. The narrow streets, lined with 18th century Creole architecture, lead to beautiful gardens and a smart waterfront that looks out over the Caribbean Sea.

Roseau’s cobblestone Old Market, formerly a slave auction site, sells local crafts and fresh fruit, while the Dominica Museum has exhibits on natural and cultural history. The Dominica Botanic Gardens is a great destination to view tropical flora and the native Sisserou parrots.

Roseau is a gateway to Dominica’s exotic interior, which soars to a dizzying 4,700 feet. Visitors can uncover dense rainforest, deep lakes, breath-taking waterfalls and fast flowing rivers that make the island truly unique. The nearby Morne Trois Pitons National Park is one of Dominica’s most impressive natural wonders; a UNESCO World Heritage Site and home to volcanic mountain ranges, mud ponds and ‘The Boiling Lake’.

Castries, the capital of the island nation of St. Lucia, is known for its palm-lined, soft, white Vigie Beach. Like St. Lucia itself, the city combines heritage and culture with peace, relaxation and tranquillity, and Castries is a gateway to St. Lucia’s wealth of national parks with vast forests, native plants and wildlife. 

The city’s streets are easy to navigate. Leafy Derek Walcott Square – named after a native noble laureate – is home to a 400-year-old Samaan tree and the Cathedral Basilica of the Immaculate Conception built in 1897. The nearby market in Jeremie Street, sells a wide range of items including fresh local fruit.

Overlooking the town is Morne Fortune, which provides some splendid views alongside Royal Navy history. Here the original French colonists built La Toc Battery, but was taken by the British in 1796, replacing it with a new fort built in 1888 to protect the harbour.

Kingstown, the capital of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, is famed for its lush Botanical Gardens and aviaries, and is affectionately known by locals as the City of Arches given its intertwining cobbled streets that lead to magnificent churches and historic buildings.

Above the stunning bay, the 1806 Fort Charlotte offers panoramic views of the Windward Islands archipelago. The city centre's fine 19th century architecture includes St. Mary’s Cathedral, while the wharf area is a hub of activity, and home to the local fish market. The town's waterfront has dramatic black sand beaches including the popular Villa Beach.

St. Vincent is an idyllic, unspoilt haven just waiting to be explored. Away from Kingstown, there is an abundance of untouched rainforest, beautiful reefs and crashing waterfalls to explore. Deserted beaches go on for miles, interrupted only by the odd quaint town or dormant volcano.

With its balmy climate, buzzing atmosphere, glorious azure waters and incredible beaches, Bridgetown is a tropical city that epitomises paradise. There is rarely a dull day in the capital and largest city of Barbados. 

This very British Caribbean island is a favourite with tourists; the city’s streets are lined with shops, boutiques, street vendors, bars and places to eat – there is always something to do. Broad Street, the main street of Bridgetown is often packed with welcoming locals. It's easy to see why Barbados is known as Little England given Bridgetown’s Georgian houses, the horse-racing track, Parliament Square, and a statue of Nelson.

The entire downtown area of Bridgetown and the 17th century Garrison were named a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2012 in recognition of their historical significance. Near the central National Heroes Square, which fringes Constitution River, the Nidhe Israel Synagogue and museum explore Barbados' Jewish history.

For a change of pace, the shore and the glorious sands offer a haven from the bustling centre. Carlisle Bay is home to six shipwreck dive sites, while a catamaran ride on the Caribbean Sea may offer the chance to swim with the once endangered Hawksbill and Green Turtles. The wonder of the impressive stalactites and stalagmites in Harrison’s Cave is another experience that will linger in the memory.

The popular destination of St. George’s is the capital of Grenada, a tiny Caribbean island with a long history of British and French rule. The town is a gateway to a volcanic island, with a jaw-dropping landscape of crater lakes, rainforests, coral reefs and white-sand beaches.

Granted independence in 1974, it is famous for its cinnamon, mace, nutmeg and vanilla plantations, and Grenada is affectionately known as the ‘Spice Island’. The aromas literally fill the air and make for a most remarkable experience when visiting the island.  

The town is located on a stunning horseshoe-shaped harbour. At its centre, the 18th century Fort George offers panoramic views of the island and nearby Fort Matthew, formerly a battleground and an asylum, boasts a network of underground tunnels. The Grenada National Museum hosts exhibits about the region’s history, including the plantation economy and the whaling industry.

Mount Qua Qua – one of Grenada’s central mountains – provides impressive views from its 2370ft peak. Its hiking trails pass Grand Etang Lake and the cooling temperatures at altitude provide a soothing respite from the island's heat.

A sunbather’s haven, St John’s is the capital city of Antigua and Barbuda, an island often referred to as the crown jewels of the Caribbean. With its large selection of beaches, typically hot climate and an array of cool seaside bars, the city of St John’s is a sun worshipper’s paradise.

In the city itself, the Museum of Antigua and Barbuda has exhibits on island history and St. John’s Cathedral, a 19th-century Anglican Church, sits sweetly on a hill near the 17th century Government House. The city’s vibrant red and yellow colonial buildings reflect the personality and warm welcome from locals, while a monument to the nation’s founder, V.C. Bird, is next to the colourful street market which sells flowers, fruit and handicrafts.

St. George’s fascinating history is brought to life on the stunning English Harbour and celebrated Nelson's Dockyard. Also known as Britain's West Indies naval base, it has now been restored to its 18th century glory.

There is shopping and speciality restaurants to be found in Heritage Quay and, of course, no visit would be complete without a spell on one of the island’s 365 stunning beaches – one for each day of the year say the Antiguans.

Tortola Island is a famous pirate haunt of old, and Road Town is typically old-world Caribbean and still retains a surreal charm. Capital of the British Virgin Islands, this picturesque town sat between rolling hills and white sandy bays, has a history to match its beguiling beauty.

Situated on the horseshoe-shaped Road Harbour, Road Town is home to the Sunday Morning Well, the site where the Emancipation Proclamation was read in 1834. Among the old buildings of Main Street – some still complete with their original red tin roofs, shops stacked with local produce and an abundance of restaurants can be found. The oldest building on the street, HM Prison, was built in 1774.

Away from the town along the waterfront, the town’s craftsmen and women sell their own textiles, paintings, rugs and ornaments. The legendary Pussers Bar is the perfect place to try some authentic Caribbean rum, while nearby Cane Garden Bay offers an expanse of gorgeous, sugar-white sands.

Exploring further will reveal the popular JR O'Neal Botanic Gardens – home to various exotic plant species, and the 'baths' – an unmissable natural rock formation accessible via a short boat trip.​

Philipsburg is the capital of the Dutch half of St. Maarten, a Caribbean island amicably shared between Holland and France for centuries. The town is known as a shopper’s paradise, while its charming sandy beach, studded with colourful clapboard restaurants and outdoor cafés, is accessible via water taxi.

Front Street, Philipsburg’s long main street, is festooned with shops, but the alleys and courtyards down to Back Street are also worth exploring. There are some stylish restaurants, but the Lo-Lo huts, which sell grilled chicken, fish and cakes from home-made barbecues, are great for a cheap snack of authentic Caribbean food.

This tiny island was divided between the Dutch and French in the 1600s, as a bastion against the Spanish. This melting pot of rich cultures and old-world charm was supposedly divided up by someone from each country walking round the coastline in opposite directions until they met up again.

Two historic forts reflect the island’s colonial past: Fort Amsterdam, built in 1631 and soon after captured by the Spanish, offers fine views over Philipsburg from the original walls, and Fort Willem, built by the British during the Napoleonic War.

The beauty of Nassau, other than its incredible sandy beaches, is that the city has something to suit all tastes. It’s white sands stretch over five miles and are accompanied by some incredible historic architecture, such as Fort Fincastle.

With their soft sand and warm, pure water, the beaches are the epitome of paradise. In fact, they are so breathtaking that movies such as Thunderball and Casino Royale were filmed here.

In the city centre there are many museums, galleries and exhibitions, where visitors can feast their eyes on a collection of Bahamian artefacts, documents, drawings and more. There is even a small museum dedicated to the history of Blackbeard and other famous pirates to explore, a unique Nassau experience. No matter what your idea of a perfect holiday is, a visit to this Bahamian paradise will be truly unforgettable.

Located just 50 miles or so east of Miami's coast, but feeling like a world away from the hustle and bustle of one of America's busiest and loudest cities, the Bimini Islands are a beautiful Bahamian escape. Bimini comprises three islands, but the largest two - North Bimini and South Bimini - are the real highlights, two very different destinations offering their own unique sights, highlights and experiences. 

For something lively, the north island is the place to be. Alice Town, Bimini's largest town, is alive with shops, restaurants and bars, all of which are enjoyed daily by locals and excited visitors alike. Head to the south island however and you'll find there's more of a community feel to the small villages, and a quieter vibe. Instead of promenades and busy streets, the south boasts natural trails that beg for your exploration. 

Wherever you are though, as this is the Bahamas, of course you're never too far from a strip of warm sands on which you can simply relax and enjoy the soothing warmth of the islands. What's more the waters around Bimini are perfect for those who wish to try their hand at watersports, while they also feature many shipwrecks that are sure to appeal to keen divers. 

Havana, the capital city, major port, and leading commercial centre of Cuba, is famed for its colonial history and vibrant culture.The city is home to exquisite Spanish colonial architecture, classic American cars, irresistible rhythms of mambo and a confusing jigsaw of grand avenues and cobbled streets.

 A stroll around Habana Vieja, Old Havana, quickly reveals the audacious Latin atmosphere within the imposing coastal fortifications and intimate, traffic-free squares. At its centre, the buildings reflect the city’s vivacious architectural mix: the Castillo de la Real Fuerza, the iconic National Capitol Building, the Baroque Catedral de San Cristóbal, and the Plaza Vieja are all worth the effort to uncover.

The art culture is one of the city's biggest revelations, and Cuban creativity is accessible through the Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes, the Fusterlandia public art project and the Fábrica de Arte Cubano, which champions the movement of Havana's more contemporary art scene. The city is awash with experimentation, exemplified by the explosion of uber cool cafes and Bohemian bars.

Columbus believed this was the most beautiful land he'd ever seen, and it’s hard not to agree given Cuba's 2,000 miles of tropical coastline, lush mountains and some 300 beaches that melt into azure seas.