A Taste of the Tropics followed by Paradise Islands

A hypnotic calypso isle, Barbados is the ultimate Caribbean dream. And at just 21 miles by 14 miles, the island really is your oyster. Of course, it’s most famous for its palm-fringed beaches, but there’s more than talcum powder sands here. We’re talking a duty-free shopping scene. Gorgeous green countryside. And sights that are second to none. In a coconut shell, it’s the small island with a big fan base.......

This truly tropical isle is one of the prettiest in the Caribbean. Think glossy rainforests showered in sunbeams. Vivid yellow banana plantations. And striking, syrup-coloured sands that simply demand your tanning time. The coral reefs are out of this world, too. Be dazzled by the rainbow of colours hidden beneath the waves, then let the St Lucian sun gently dry your skin. For a paradise escape, this place comes up trumps every time.......

Flick through your French dictionary while sipping a Caribbean rum punch – Guadeloupe is where French and African influences fuse. This gorgeous spot is actually a bouquet of islands. There’s a scattering of little ones but the two main players are Basse-Terre and Grande-Terre. Together, they’re shaped like a butterfly resting quietly on the sun-blushed Caribbean. As famous for its sugar and rum as it is top dive sites and sparkling sands, this place will sweep you off your feet…

A bustling city seeped in history, Tobago’s capital offers up a snapshot of days gone by. Sprawled over the hillside, it’s overlooked by the Fort King George, a 17th-century hideout that sits proudly at the summit. Wander through the town to Upper Scarborough and take a look at the House of Assembly – it’s one of the best examples of Georgian architecture in the Caribbean. Head down by the port, and you’ll find colourful houses lining the harbour and lively markets dominating the streets. Here, you can pick up island favourites like fresh coconut milk and syrup-coated ice-cream, as well as arts and crafts.

Grenada can’t fail to spice things up. It’s known as the ‘Spice Island’ after all. Wherever you head, the fragrant scent of ginger, almond, nutmeg and vanilla follows you. Plus you can see cinnamon, cocoa beans and every tropical fruit imaginable growing here. Alongside its basket of goodies, this lush landscape hides Bounty-like beaches, mountain ranges and thick rainforests. And don’t miss a wander around St George's, one of the Caribbean’s prettiest harbours, with its pastel-coloured buildings, cobbled streets and even the odd lipstick-red London phone box.......

Somewhat unfairly, St Vincent is often overlooked in favour of its little brothers and sisters – the neighbouring Grenadines. But those who do stop here are in for a treat. Deserted beaches and untouched forest stretch for miles, interrupted only by the occasional cobbled town or dormant volcano. Kingstown is the main hub, its arched stone doors and covered walkways giving a nod to days gone by.......

A hypnotic calypso isle, Barbados is the ultimate Caribbean dream. And at just 21 miles by 14 miles, the island really is your oyster. Of course, it’s most famous for its palm-fringed beaches, but there’s more than talcum powder sands here. We’re talking a duty-free shopping scene. Gorgeous green countryside. And sights that are second to none. In a coconut shell, it’s the small island with a big fan base.......

Nature’s the star attraction in the British Virgin Islands. We dock at Tortola, the biggest isle. Here, ancient rainforests hog the limelight, beautiful botanical gardens vie for your attention, and opal-white beaches like Apple Bay and Smuggler’s Cove really steal the show. It’s wild. It’s wondrous. It’s waiting.......

Two flags rule over this tiny isle – the French and the Dutch. Philipsburg is the Dutch capital and the place to head for a serious shopping splurge. Marigot, meanwhile, is the French capital, where you can divide your time between bistros and boutiques. Add to the mix dreamy Caribbean coves, kaleidoscopic reefs and lashings of sunshine and you’ve got all the ingredients for tropical bliss.......

One of the British Leeward Islands, St Kitts is one of the Caribbean’s pearls. Once an illustrious sugar colony, it now focuses its efforts on being a tropical paradise. And it excels in every sense, with its seductive blend of blonde sands and duck-egg blue seas. Away from the shores though, you’ll find plenty of historic sights to tick off your checklist. Or why not pop across to the neighbouring island of Nevis, which is just three kilometres over The Narrows channel?......

If you’re a big fan of the beach, prepare to lose your heart to this place. Antiguans like to boast they have a different one for every day of the year. Without doubt, porcelain, palm-fringed sands and still turquoise waters are the star of this island show. But that’s not all Antigua’s got to boast about. Get ready for towns in a rainbow riot of colours. Quiet countryside that slumbers in the sunshine. And cuisine as sublime as those moon-white shores......

French and Caribbean flavours combine in Martinique’s Fort de France. Here, you can sip rum punch and sunbathe in a palm tree-dotted park, in between shopping for Yves Saint Laurent clothes and touring sites designed by Gustave Eiffel. Vendors shout out their catch of the day – in French – at the Creole market. And in the restaurants, crêpes are served alongside spicy Caribbean chicken.

A hypnotic calypso isle, Barbados is the ultimate Caribbean dream. And at just 21 miles by 14 miles, the island really is your oyster. Of course, it’s most famous for its palm-fringed beaches, but there’s more than talcum powder sands here. We’re talking a duty-free shopping scene. Gorgeous green countryside. And sights that are second to none. In a coconut shell, it’s the small island with a big fan base.......