ANTIGUA

INTRO TEXT WITH 365 SWEEPING WHITE SAND BEACHES AND COVES, THERE’S ONE FOR EVERY DAY OF THE YEAR - AND THAT’S HOW LONG YOU’LL WANT TO STAY ON THIS IDYLLIC ISLAND.

JUMBY BAY ISLAND

Step onto Antigua and play Robinson Crusoe, where soft white sands couple up with cerulean skies and West Indian flavour meets British colonial charm. The clear Caribbean waters are perfect for swimming and the steady trade winds offer calm sailing. What’s more, you can choose between some truly breathtaking hotels, including all-inclusive resorts, cosy boutique retreats and chic hideaways. Panoramic cliff top views, luxurious spas, sparkling pools, laid back beach dining and romantic sun-drenched terraces only add to the paradisiacal vibe. Antigua Sailing Week brings world class racing and extravagant parties at the end of April and beginning of May, but year-round aquatic adventure means you can charter a yacht, swim, snorkel, kayak or windsurf any day of the week. The diving here is perhaps not for those looking to push the boundaries, but it’s a safe bet for beginners. Paradise Reef and Deep Bay are a snorkeller’s dream, and the latter is home to the Andes shipwreck, easily accessible with just a snorkel and flippers. Get out of the water and into a jeep for a rainforest tour, find out more about the island’s colonial history and naval heritage at Nelson’s Dockyard, or jump into a helicopter and take a scenic flight over neighbouring Montserrat’s notorious volcano. Back on solid ground, sun lovers will find dozens of deserted beaches. For dreamy sunsets get down to Darkwood Beach, and for pelican spotting head to Frye’s Bay. Dining can be sophisticated pan-Asian at the superb East at Carlisle Bay, Catherine’s Café offers classical French cuisine with a relaxed, beachy twist, or we always recommend lunch with a view at Sheer Rocks. To really hit it off with the locals, join a Saturday night street grill or head to Shirley Heights’ famous Sunday night barbecue, when the whole island seems to come together and the old garrison reverberates to the rhythms of reggae, soca and calypso.

EXPLORE THE ISLAND MEET THE LOCALS

NELSON’S DOCKYARD & ENGLISH HARBOUR Visit this beautifully preserved historic site, the only Georgian naval facility still in use anywhere in the world. You’ll find many little cafés and restaurants, as well as a museum displaying memorabilia from the time when Admiral Nelson made this his base in the 18th Century. Today the harbour attracts many visitors due to its thriving yachting scene. HIRE A JEEP AND EXPLORE FIG TREE DRIVE Driving in Antigua is effortless as the island is small and relatively flat. Exploring scenic Fig Tree Drive you’ll travel through rainforest and past old sugar mills and churches. But if you don’t fancy driving yourself, we’ll happily arrange a car and driver for you. SAIL AROUND THE ISLAND No visit to Antigua is complete without taking to the water to explore some of the fabulous white sand beaches that the island has to offer. Your trip will take you right around the island, with plenty of time to enjoy snorkelling and swimming in the crystal clear waters and a relaxing lunch stop at Green Island.

GET AWAY FROM IT ALL

ISLAND HOPPING Experience even more of the Caribbean by extending your Antigua holiday with a trip to St Kitts, Nevis or Anguilla. These intimate islands boast jaw-dropping beaches, spectacular cuisine, luxurious hotels and their own separate and distinct characters, from the glamour of Anguilla to the rustic charm of Nevis. Our Travel Managers can recommend hotels there such as Montpelier Plantation, Nevis (p85) or Cap Juluca, a Belmond hotel in Anguilla (p80), just an hour’s flight away. WADADLI All the larger Caribbean islands brew their own beer, and every islander will tell you theirs is the best! Antigua’s Wadadli is refreshing and light and is definitely in our top three. And the best part? Every time you order a Wadadli you can congratulate yourself for supporting the local Antiguan economy! JOIN THE PARTY AT SHIRLEY HEIGHTS Every Sunday afternoon this restored garrison, with its magnificent panoramic views of English Harbour and the island of Montserrat, comes alive with the island’s biggest barbecue and steel band concert. If you don’t want to eat here, simply come and enjoy the music and the party atmosphere. You can also climb to Shirley Heights via the Lookout Trail, a nature trail through the forest that originates at English Harbour.

GETTING THERE

Flying time from the UK is approximately 8 hours 45 minutes and all flights are non-stop. British Airways Departures from Gatwick up to daily throughout the year. Virgin Atlantic Departures from Heathrow up to four times per week depending on the season.

Note: All our inclusive holiday prices are based on economy flights with British Airways or Virgin Atlantic.

1. Jumby Bay Island (p48-49) 2 Hodges Bay Resort (p59) 3. Blue Waters (p52) The Cove Suites at Blue

Waters (p53) 4. Royalton Antigua (p58) 5. Galley Bay (p56) 6. Hermitage Bay (p51) 7. Tamarind Hills (p59) 5 8. Curtain Bluff (p56) 9. Carlisle Bay (p50) 10.The Inn At English Harbour (p54-55) 11. St James’s Club (p57)

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7 12. Hammock Cove (p57)

The Verandah (p58)

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ST JOHN’S

ANTIGUA

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