Wellbeing

visit a live volCano: montseRRat

Experience a modern-day Pompeii in this tiny jewel, known as the Emerald Isle of the Caribbean for its verdant landscape and rich history dating from the first Irish Catholic settlers. The island’s recent history has been dominated by the Soufriere Hills Volcano, whose eruptions turned former capital Plymouth into an ash-covered ghost town which is now visited on tours that also feature Montserrat’s Volcano Observatory.

go unDeRgRounD in haRRison’s Cave: baRbaDos

Descend into pitch-black tunnels to explore the subterranean network of milky-toned limestone caverns stretching for three miles. Harrison’s Cave is one of Barbados’s most popular and unique tourist draws– attracting visitors who ride electric trams noiselessly through caves of beautifully illuminated stalactites and stalagmites, where crystal-clear streams race into gushing waterfalls that tumble into deep mysterious pools.

steP baCK in time at nelson’s DoCKyaRD: antigua

The atmospheric stone columns and former warehouses of this historic site not only reflect Antigua’s maritime history but remain the world’s only Georgian working dockyard. The gracious buildings, where young Horatio Nelson was based in the 1780s, now house restaurants and shops, while overlooking the harbour is Shirley Heights, the venue for Sunday night parties where guests enjoy spectacular views of the setting sun.

Freeport Bahamas, Junkanoo Festival

PaRty JunKanoostyle: the bahamas

Catch the carnival spirit with a Junkanoo Rushout celebration of cowbells, drums and whistles accompanied by colourful costumes and exuberant dancing. This Bahamian version of carnival traditionally

runs over Boxing Day and New Year’s Day and stems from the celebrations of African slaves who were given holidays at this time. In recent times, Junkanoo has been extended to Saturdays in summer.

liFe’s a beaCh: anguilla

Miles of blindingly-white stretches of sand and pink-tinged beaches stand out as among the best in the Caribbean and are a signature draw of this British Overseas Territory. Anguilla is only 35 square miles, but has 33 beaches to choose from, lapped by iridescent turquoise waters and offering a perfect antidote to the stresses and distractions of everyday life.

sailing: bRitish viRgin islanDs

Dotted like precious jewels across sapphire waters, this tropical archipelago is sailing heaven thanks to warm trade winds that caress this corner of the Caribbean Sea. Aside from being supremely beautiful, the BVIs are full of isolated coves, pretty bays and deserted sandbars, allowing plenty of chances to jump overboard and swim ashore to one of the welcoming beach bars.

see hummingbiRDs: tobago

Nothing beats the thrill of seeing hummingbirds at close quarters. The birds dart like iridescent sparks among tropical blooms, hovering briefly to extract the sweet nectar in their long slender beaks. There are six different types of hummingbird on Tobago, and around 260 birdlife species in total, making it one of the world’s premier bird-watching destinations.

DisCoveR natuRal wonDeRs: DominiCa

As home to the Caribbean’s only longdistance walking path, the Waitukubuli National Trail, along with numerous natural treasures, Dominica is hiking heaven. With rugged mountainous terrain, hot springs, a boiling lake and breathtaking waterfalls, the self-billed Nature Island of the Caribbean has dramatic scenery in abundance and is the only island where the Kalinago indigenous tribe of Carib Indians still lives.

A crowd-free beach in Anguilla

Dive with whale shaRKs: belize

Sharing the sea with these gentle giants off the coast of Belize, where they gather in spring and early summer, is a key attraction of this fabulous diving destination. The clear and warm offshore waters host the world’s second largest barrier reef and a 400ft deep blue hole, one of the world’s top dive sites.

sPiCe uP youR liFe: gRenaDa

Known as the Spice Island of the Caribbean thanks to the abundant mix of herbs and spices grown here, Grenada is one of the world’s foremost growers of nutmeg. Stop for the natural flavours, including cinnamon, cloves, ginger and locally-made chocolate, gracing stalls at the spice market held in the picturesque capital, St George’s.

go DutCh: CuRaCao

There’s a distinctive European flavour to Curacao’s capital Willemstad – the Caribbean’s answer to Amsterdam – where beautifully-preserved 17th and 18th Century gabled houses line the waterfront in a