Travel and leisure
Destinations
Caribbean gems
For travellers in search of the good life, there is no place quite like the Caribbean, says Nicola Iseard, who has the lowdown on the best islands in the region
Sandy beaches shaded by coconut palms, cobalt-blue waters with teeming reefs just a flipper kick from the shore, and rum cocktails brought right to your sunlounger - welcome to the Caribbean.
For travellers in search of la dolce vita, there is no place quite like it. But, with so many islands to choose from, each with its own character and distinct allure, choosing where to go is no mean feat.
Barbados is justifiably one of the most popular islands in the Caribbean. While many visitors rarely stray from its coastline - with its brilliantly blue waters and long beaches - there is plenty to discover inland, from the old plantation house St Nicholas Abbey - built in 1660 it's one of only three remaining Jacobean mansions in the Western hemisphere - to the Gun Hill Signal Station, which sits 700ft above sea level.
The scenery is stunning too: gently rolling landscape, dotted with hidden caves, cliffs and gullies. Situated in the north is the sprawling Andromeda Botanical Gardens, filled with exotic species like the bearded fig tree. Spread across six acres on a hillside, the gardens boast dramatic vistas over the Bathsheba coastline.
To be honest, there are stunning landscapes to be discovered throughout the Caribbean. St Vincent, which is part of the Grenadines, has arguably one of the most dramatic terrains in the region. The bountiful island is famous for its black stretches of volcanic sand that dot the entire coastline, and its mountainous interior which rises to a mighty 4048ft at La Soufriere, an active volcano which last erupted in 1979. There is a glorious network of walking trails, rich with wildlife, running through the area.
The island's commercial hub is Kingstown. Although it is not as picturesque as the rest of St Vincent, the vibrant market is well worth a visit, crammed with stalls selling fresh fruit, local arts and other souvenirs. It's the perfect place to get a feel for the everyday life of the locals.
For those looking for something a little more serene, Bequia really hits the spot. Located just a cocktail stick's throw from St Vincent, Bequia is the largest of the Grenadine islands and is easily the most laid-back; it has a wonderful aura of tranquility, best enjoyed while lazing on one of its breathtaking beaches.
Fulfilling every expectation of a Caribbean paradise, Princess Margaret Beach, a few minutes' walk over the Princess Point headland, is one of the finest in the Caribbean. Think gentle waves frothing onto golden sands, shaded by swaying palms and dotted with rocky outcrops.
Grenada, the southernmost of the Windward Islands, also has its fair share of glorious beaches. Every year, travellers from far and wide flock to the island in search of sun, sea and sand - and with over 45 beaches to choose from, they are seldom disappointed. King of them all is Grand Anse. Located in a calm, sheltered bay on the southwest tip of the island, just two miles from the attractive colonial town of St George's, it boasts two miles of immaculate white sands. No wonder it often appears in countdowns of the world's top 10 beaches.
While its beaches tend to steal the limelight, no trip to Grenada is complete without a visit to the Grand Etang National Park. Covering 3,860 acres, the park was caught in the destructive path of Hurricane Ivan, which swept across Grenada in 2004 - but is re-growing at a rapid rate. It is home to the spectacular Concord Falls, which is made up of three waterfalls, one of which is 65ft high and has a freshwater pool at its base - perfect for a midday dip to cool off.
When it comes to swimming, and other water-based activities, most Caribbean islands offer an array of options to keep the keenest of sport enthusiasts happy.
For scuba diving however, one island takes the crown - Tobago. Located off the northern coast of South America, Tobago is one of the most underexplored islands in the Caribbean. Its aquamarine seas - often hailed as the 'Disneyland of Diving' - are home to three hundred species of coral and a huge variety of multicoloured tropical fish. Many of its coral reefs are easily accessible from shore, so it's wonderful for snorkelling too.
The beauty of these islands lies in the fact that, while they share the same seas, they are so vastly different, and part of the fun is picking which one to visit.
Wherever you choose, make sure you leave plenty of time that rum cocktail on the beach. That's what we call la dolce vita.
* Nicola Iseard is a travel writer for the Observer.
