Direct decendants of The Caribbean

Anguilla is mostly flat, so there are no mountains to climbs or hikes to be made during your stay here. This can be a very relaxing thought. There is no reason not to enjoy the flawless beaches with their pure sand and neon sea.

The Valley is the capital of the island, and is located right in the center. Sandy Ground village on Road Bay, the main port and the center of nightlife, is located on the north coast. Cap Juluca, Cuisinart and Malliouhana, Temenos are the largest luxury resorts on the island, and are located on the west end. Anguilla also has several smaller resorts and private guesthouses, as well as a great selection of bars and restaurant from the most casual to the star studded. Renting a car or scooter is recommended as there is no public transport service. Most travellers arrive via regularly scheduled flights from Puerto Rico, Antigua, or neighboring St Maarten, which also offers a direct 30 min. ferry service to Blowing Point on the south coast of the island about 2 miles from the capital, The Valley, or 5 miles from the major resorts in the west. Since the island is very small, the beaches are never far away.

Cuba offers not only some of the world's finest beaches but also a rich cultural heritage and vibrant, passionate approach to life that has been enticing visitors throughout the ages. With a population of 11 million - the largest in the Caribbean - 20% of Cubans live in Havana.

Situated between Jamaica and the Bahamas, Cuba has a delightful tropical climate with year round sunshine, a daytime temperature that rarely falls below 26°C and warm, clear waters that gently lap against idyllic beaches of fine white sand and shady palm trees.

Further out to sea this fine sand gives way to some of the most exquisite coral reef to be found anywhere in the Caribbean, providing a perfect natural habitat for a wide array of underwater life... a mesmerising spectacle which no visitor should miss.

Yet if you do manage to drag yourself away from the sea, you'll find a fascinating country, one that beguiles it's visitors with a heady combination of Spanish, African and Caribbean influences, evident wherever you go, in its sights, sounds and tastes. Most of all though, you will remember Cuba for the people. Naturally open and friendly, you are assured the warmest welcome in the Caribbean, a welcome that lasts from the day you arrive till the day you leave... awaiting your return.

Cuba is Caribbean destination without comparison, tropical splendour. Islands of Cuba are pristine and exotic, remains  safe for tourists. Hiding many secrets, warm  climate and vibrant nightlife hot Cuban Salsa. All about Cuba on Netssa.com

Another side of the coin is the "National Quest for Dollars". The people are very friendly indeed, but almost all people who start talking to you just want your money. They may have good reasons for this, but I will tell this. There are people who live in the slums, and go ask around people they know if they can borrow their most dirty clothes. Then they go to central Havana to beg. They only beg from tourists, because the Cubans don't give enough. If five tourists give them one dollar (which is what they always ask for), they have earned what normal honest Cubans have to work a month for. I'm not saying that Cubans are dishonest, it's just that the people you are most likely to come in contact with are going to annoy you. If you know that's going to happen, it'll bother you less. Next time I go (I will go again), I know I'll enjoy it more. Also, I won't be going in summer: I practically died of heat. Of course, that may be because I spent most time in Havana, where the heat reflects between the buildings.

One more thing: prices are terribly inflated. Because of the irrational government policy, you have to do your best to pay less than 15 dollars a night. Compared to South American standards that's crazy, compared to Europe or America it's acceptable.

The girls are wonderful. But as a tourist you have to be careful. Cubans are not allowed to get involved with tourists.

The 'casa particulares' are a wonderful way to save money and to meet Cuban people of all kinds. There is an underground network of contacts so if you decide to travel to another city, tell your hostess and they'll arrange another casa in the city you wish.

The food is local and very fresh, of course you have to pay for that but it's great. We even got some lobster which was caught a few hours earlier! Everywhere you go, there's fresh fruit.

Try to rent a scooter and go your own way, into the countryside. We saw some huge mango and pineapple plantation. We did some horsebackriding and went to a tobaccofarm to roll and smoke our own cigars.

One of the first things the Spaniards did in this charming new discovery of theirs is massacre all the inhabitants. Within 13 years 600,000 Taino indians were killed.

Santo Domingo is the chief city of the Dominican Republic. The colonial zone is absolutely worth a visit - it features the Calle de las Damas, the oldest street in the new world.

Unfortunately, many tourists don't come farther than Puerto Plata City with its fabulous beaches....this makes the North Coast (Amber Coast) an unspoilt paradise for a wonderful tropical holiday.

Dining
While you visit the Dominican Repuplic you must sample some of their restaurants. On the Old City at Santo Domingo, right across the historic "Alcazar de Colon", you will find one of the best restaurant I have dined in. It is called "Pate Palo" and it is world famous for their "churrasco" marinated in cumin and honey. It's unique flavor will send your taste buds into orbit. Their food presentation is also first class and their desserts are to die for.

There are numerous fine dining establishments in the old town of Santo Domingo, however, you will pay a hefty price to dine at these restaurants (American fine dining prices). For a cheaper alternative there are also fantastic hamburger carts along El Conde, which offer unique and tasty hamburgers and hot dogs.

Gambling
Be careful as their casinos are not regulated nor watched by anyone. This opens up the chances that you will be scammed. There is a game in particular that you should stay away from. It goes by the name of "Super Keno" or "Dominican Keno". It is not the keno you wil find in most U.S. Casinos, but a progressive game that it is a scam. As you enter the Casino you will receive some free chips from a very attractive sweet young lady to test a "new" game. You will soon find yourself thinking that you could actually win the game but in actuallity you are being set up to be cleaned out of your money.

Although preservation has not been a priority for very many of the numerous Haitien governments, benign neglect has left the countryside covered with remnants of the wars for freedom, the defeat of the Slaver Empire.

The adventure tourist can find much of interest to see and do. One of the best places to start exploring the country is the capital city of Port-au-Prince. It offers many good sights and there are some excellent beaches nearby. Another nice place to go is Cap Haitien, which offers very good beaches nearby as well as some nice things to do and see. It also offers a variety of good foods and can also be great for a vacation home. But be warned because they are still going through some trouble with their government and shall not be permitted to dealings of stolen goods and or stolen and or foriegn objects within or out of haitis boundaries.

Curacao is 35 miles from Venezuela, so on clear days you can see the continent. It is the political, cultural and population centre of the Dutch islands. Bonaire is a little bit further out the coast. Bonaire is known for two attractions. It's a paradise for divers and its bird life. So Bonaire should be visitied by nature lovers.

Two of the "S" islands of the Dutch West Indies, St. Eustatius and Saba are thimble-size islands south of St. Martin (Sint Maarten). St. Martin is is half Dutch and half French. The Windward or SSS-islands lay about 550 miles more to the north. The lay in the north eastern part of the Caribbean ring, very close to the British island of Anguilla and the French St. Bartolomy . All these islands are located very close to each other.

This lush tropical paradise could easily be in the South Pacific rather than the Caribbean. With lush forests and a dormant volcano, St Kitts and it's sister island Nevis are often called 'the secret The Caribbean.' St Kitts and Nevis were  British colonies for hundreds of years, and the legacy lingers with afternoon tea and Cricket. They got their independence from Britain in September 1983.  St. Kitts is the larger of the two islands, it is the more "developed" of the two.  Its capital city is called Basseterre.

In comparison with other caribbean islands,  St. Kitts and Nevis  do not get the heavy tourist crowds other islands such as St Thomas and St Maarteen get.  A few cruiseships  maybe a couple days a week. While there are several resort hotels by the coastline,  there are also small mountain inns in the countryside which are quite nice. (and not necessarily budget, though, it would be good to inquire, anyway)

 St Kitts has  its towering mountain (inactive) volcano called Mt Liamuiga , (mount Misery)  which is a good easy 2-3 hr hike to the summit.  The vegetation is very lush and tropical. There are  large sugar cane fields in the area (in the lowlands), and a sugar mill in the east side of the island.    St Kitts has a large fort called Brimstone Hill built by the British.  Brimstone Hill is known as the Gibraltar of the West Indies, and has seen much bloodshed.  The hill is said to be unclimbable, yet control of the fortress changed hands several times between the French and English between 1627 and 1713. If memory serves correct.  In the end the French were defeated after something like an 18 month battle.  When over thrown, the French were allowed to leave the fortress flags flying and drums beating.  Brimstone Fortress was left to decay for many years until it's historic significance was realized, and it was turned into a National Park.  Recently restored, It is now pretty well maintained, and in a clear day you get a panoramic view of some of the surrounding islands, such as St Eustachious  and Saba.  

For the people from UK who visit, Basseterre downtown  has a very small version of Picadilly Circus.  Basseterre is filled with history.  A short talk with a local will reveal an interesting story about the Independece Square and the adjacent buildings.

There are some great beaches in St Kitts. One of the better known ones is called Frigate Bay, where the the Atlantic and Caribbean sides are a mere 150 metres apart.  Also,  if you drive on the paved road on the east side peninsula of St. Kitts (St. Kitts sort of has the shape of a "chicken leg", sort of round oval and then this long thin peninsula) you will be able to see Atlantic shore on the north side (rougher water) and Caribben shore on the south side (quieter water).  The view is just amazing, and you can always stop for a swim.

St. Kitts is worth a visit, even for a day or two.  The place is very relaxing, and visitors can go swimming, hiking, light shopping and even some sightseeing.

A daytrip by ferry to Nevis is always an option. (1 hr each way)  Nevis has a large volcano, called Mt Nevis and also nice coastline and some resorts, both in the mountains and along the coastline. There is a small version of Bath, but a far cry from the one in the UK. (not really well kept)    The Four Seasons Nevis is one of the top resorts in the caribbean.   Be sure to drop by  to check out the place... true paradise, and if staying there is off your budget, then  maybe just sit down and enjoy an expensive drink or snack...

Antigua went from crushing poverty after the abolition of slavery and the collapse of the sugar cane market to a top holiday destination. The island combines charming towns with cobblestone streets with old forts and great beaches.

English harbour and St. Johns offer the best places for sightseeing. English Harbour has a big old fort with cannons used by admiral Nelson in his Caribbean campaigns. St.Johns has many small streets, a nice cathedral and some good museums.

Supposing you come to tan and not to whitewash, the Caymans offer terrific diving, white beaches, lots of sunshine and classy accommodation and restaurants - they are a bit expensive though.

Grand Cayman receives most visitors, with Seven Mile Beach as the main hub. Cayman Brac and Little Cayman are quieter but possibly even more expensive.

Apart from all your lazy days bumming on the beach and or snorkeling, a visit to the island should include a tour to the Grand turk and the crater lake, the rum distillery, Caribs leap, Sioux Falls and a spice factory. It is possible to see of all of the above in just one day starting from St. Georges, but you might as well take your time; that's what the locals do too.

Excursions to Carriacou and Krk island are worth the extra effort. Petit martinique offers the possibility to hike to the top of the volcano and get a great view over the islands. Krk island, Petit st and Krk island are also popular excursions.

Grenada is known as "The Spice Island" as many spices are grown and sold there. Check out the market in town for many spices.

Kingston the capital city is the first place many business travelers arrive. It is located on the South coast of the island. The city offers world class business hotels, upscale shopping and top entertainment and dining.

The main tourist areas are on the northwest of the island because of the better beaches. Montego Bay is probably the best known beach resort, further to the west Negril is also a good option with low rise rural hotels and high rise palm trees.

Ocho Rios and Port Antonio offer great opportunities to go hiking in the hills. If you want to go even higher you should head for Mandeville, located at 2000 feet above sea level.

Hiring your own driver (charter) is a more comfortable alternative and leaves you in full control, but is more expensive. Price is negotiable and should be set before entering the vehicle. For driver recomendations in different parts of Jamaica, do a search on the local forum for the area where you are based or look for local Inside pages.

One of the most beautiful islands of the Caribbean, St. Lucia has two easily recognizable features: the twin volcanic peaks of Petit Piton and Gros Piton which are are visible from far out to sea. In 2004 they were given UNESCO world heritage status

Most of the island is covered with thick greenery - from wild forests to banana plantations. One third is protected Rainforest Reserve. The St Lucian parrot is the national bird.

Castries is the main travel hub. The 100 year old marketplace on Jeremy street is well worth a visit. There is large duty free shopping centre.

Marigot Bay is 12 km south of Castries and has a great natural harbour with boat rentals and souvenir shops plus a small beach on a sandspit which you reach by boat. Very romantic 

Saint Lucia National Rain Forest is a must see for nature lovers. Over 19,000 acres of towering hardwoods filled with bird life. see www.geocities.com/sluforestrails/index.htm Soufriere and Sulphur Springs are other ineresting areas of the island. www.stlucia.org

Just off the south east coast are the Maria islands and the Fregate islands. Both are nature reserves, so contact the National Trust for permissions and a guide to visit the islands. See above websites.

Rodney Bay is in the flatter north part of the island and is the main port for visiting yachts and a wide range of restaurants, bars and visitor attractions. 

Located just north of Venezuela, between the  Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean , the islands of Trinidad and Tobago offer some of the best holiday destinations of the Caribbean.

Due to this location, both islands enjoy a tropical climate and lush, dense vegetation which boasts many bird species (as a matter of fact, they are so numerous that Trinidad and Tobago are considered to be a bird watchers’ paradise). Other animals can be seen, such as butterflies, amphibians, monkeys and reptiles, including leatherback turtles that come to lay their eggs in the islands’ coastal regions (nesting season runs from March to August).  

Although Trinidad is not known for its beaches, it has a few well worth a visit. Tobago, on the other hand, has many gorgeous and secluded beaches and bays, ideal for swimming and snorkelling. Diving is also a great option in Tobago, for it presents an abundant and diverse marine life. From rainy forests to mangrove swamps to beautiful unspoiled beaches and water falls, the islands offer nature lovers plenty of activities to engage in.

For Accommodation in Trinidad, Check this website :

http://www.BestOfTrinidadAndTobago.com  

So, whether you are looking for peaceful and lovely beaches, great food, the contact with nature or wild parties, the islands of Trinidad and Tobago may certainly be the place for you.

Barbados is predominantly flat with only a few gently rolling hills to the north, but the differences between the east and west coast are quite dramatic. The west coast is the Caribbean side. Here beaches are made of fine white sand and there are natural coral reefs. There's a lot of hotel development, but the coastline remains attractive none the less. The Atlantic side is less developed and more rugged. There is a lively surf as the sea pounds the more rocky shoreline.

On such a small and crowded Island it's hard to leave the beaten track. Just go for water sports and beach activities. The coral structure of the island acts as a natural filter and the waters of Barbados are amongst the purest in the world.

A stay on the island is not complete without a visit to it's capital Bridgetown where life centers around Trafalgar square, which gives away it's colonial link to Britain, and some still refer to the Island as "Little England" or "Bimshire". Barbadians refer to one another as "Bajans".

Another 'must-see' is the Malibu Rum Factory that sits right on the beach.  Beautiful blue/green water and a couple of free Malibu Rum drinks in your hand.  It's a beautiful setting.

Getting around on the island is fairly easy with its well developed bus and taxi system. You can pretty much sit on the bus and tour half of the island with only $0.75 US.

Most of the exciting attractions on the island involve hiking: a hike to Boiling Lake, Middleham Falls or the Valley of Desolation are great!

Roseau is the capital of the island. It's a nice and quite busy city that deserves a visit. It is also a good starting point for visiting Emerald Pool. Carib Territory is another must see. Here you find the Carib people living in a 3,700 acre reserve.

The main historic sight is Fort Shirley once an important English outpost but now reclamed by jungle. It's a lot like Temple of Doom!

Dominica can be reached by minor aircrafts from neighbouring islands and by ferry from Guadeloupe and Martinique.

Guadalupe comprises of two large islands, Basse Terre and Grande Terre, and several smaller ones, of which St Martin is shared with the Dutch kingdom. In 1763 the isles came under French rule and they still occupy the island, now mainly as tourists. Pack a French dictionary if you plan a trip here for it’s  a part of France (like Hawai for the Usa). The people and culture is a harmonious blend of European, African and East Indian origin.

Guadeloupe is well known for its spectacular beaches, most of which are well sheltered and wonderful for swimming and seaside fun. The natural beaches range from the surf-brushed dark sands of western Basse-Terre to the long shiny white stretches encircling Grande-Terre. The two islands, separated by the narrow bridged strait of the Rivière Salée, are often seen as the wings of a butterfly, resting on the Caribbean. They’re actually a poor lesson in French for Grand Terre to the east is the smaller of the two, while Basse Terre has the great La Soufrière volcano.

Basse-terre on Basse-Terre is the administrative capital of Guadeloupe and the department. There are some very pretty and authentic old buildings of the colonial period in the city. There is an 17th-century cathedral and the ruins of Fort Louis Delgrès. Here you’ll also find Saint-Claude, a wealthy suburb and summer resort, surrounded by coffee trees and the most beautiful tropical gardens. Matouba, north of Saint-Claude, is an East Indian village known for its waterfalls and springs. There are hot springs and a bottling plant for the local mineral water, a bottle of which makes an excellent souvenir.

Pointe-a-pitre on Grande-Terre is the commercial centre of Guadeloupe near both the airport and shipping port. It is a quite compact and functional city. Its early colonial buildings were largely destroyed by an earthquake in 1843 and have been replaced with all kinds of new buildings. Also, the Hurricane Hugo did a lot of damage, especially to the trees in the city. This makes the city less coherent ensemble as Basse-Terre is, but it’s all the livelier. The central Place de la Victoire was once the site of the guillotine. It’s the oldest part of town, which is reasonably intact, and it contains the oldest buildings.

Before Columbus discovered the island in 1502, the Caribs called it Isle of Flowers and floral it has remained up to this day. You will find frangipani, wild orchids, hibiscus and neon-bright bougainville all over the place.

The capital city of the island is Fort-de-France a very stylish and sophisticated city. South of the city you find many excellent beaches, be careful if you have young children.  There are some beaches that allow nudists. Mont Pelee is in the north of the island. The volcanoe buried the old capital city, St. Pierre under lava and ashes back in 1902. With a height of over 4,000 feet it is the highest point of the island.

Martinique is a french speaking island.

The travel hot spot of the island is the capital of San juan. It is a modern city with ancient roots and lots of sights that date back hunderds of years. Many people do not care to venture any further. This is too bad. The rest of the island offers many beautiful places, great hiking opportunities and old colonial plaza's.

Other places of interest include Ponce and the Parque of El yunque.

Kingstown the capital is very Caribbean with a British Influence.  Downtown has the British High Commission office, an Anglican Cathedral & a Methodist Church, alongwith a cornucopia of merchants, vendors, grocery stores and of course, a fresh fruit/veg market. The botanical gardens and the archeological museum are worth a visit. Northwest of here the Omo River valley is great for hiking with some good beaches nearby.  But none beats the climb up La Soufriere, the volcano last active in 1979 - elevation 4000 ft, the hike to the crater rim a gruelling 1-4 hr trek, depending on climbers' fitness level and stamina.  From Kingstown ferries leave for Krk island, Fort William, Bequia, Canouan Island and various other destinations.

Bequia is some good beaches, Port Elizabeth, Lower Bay and Industry Bay are full of them. Lots of good snorkeling too. Hope and Friendship Bay are good for windsurfing.

Mustique is a beachcomber's heaven. Macaroni Bay, Celiceaux Bay, Lagoon Bay and Endavour Bay are all great for snorkeling and swimming.

Mayreau is the best starting point for exploring the Tobago cays a wildlife reserve. Union Island has the highest peak of the islands, Mount Rushmore it can be explored from Clifton the major settlement.

The British Virgin Islands are also hilly, but are less built up with hotels and tourism. The BVI glore with lovely beaches and nice people.

Situated in the North Eastern Caribbean, between Anguilla, Saint Barths, Statia and Saba, it is administratively a commune of Guadeloupe... often wrongly claimed to be the smallest territory in the world shared by two countries and the only one divided without a frontier...(A much smaller island in the north Baltic sea¨is shared between Sweden and Finland)  

More info soon...

A big volcano eruption which started in 1998 has disrupted life on the island in a dramatic way. The capital Plymouth is covered by ash and pyroclastic flows and completely devastated. Access to more than half of the island is prohibited. The latest major explosion occurred in July 2004 when the island was again covered by ashes. The activity of the volcano is monitored by the Montserrat Volcano Observatory. Further information about the volcano can be found on www.mvo.ms

Because of the eruption the population has dropped from about 11,000 to 4,500. However, life in the northern part of Montserrat is again flourishing. No casualties have occurred outside the closed zone. The old airport was destroyed by the eruptions but there is a new airport with regular flights from Antigua. Small numbers of tourists have again found their way to the Emerald Isle.