The Caribbean - Find an Unspoilt Paradise

Antigua, the largest of the English-speaking Leewardbalmy northeast trade winds, the temperature
Islands in the eastern Caribbean, measures about 22fluctuates only mildly from the mid-20s Celsius in
by 18 km and encompasses about 275 square km.winter to the low 30s in summer. Annual rainfall
Antigua is also the name of a nation that includesaverages only 114 cm, making it the sunniest of the
two other islands: Barbuda, about 50 km due north, aeastern Caribbean Islands, with low humidity all year
flat coral island only 174 square km in area; and theround. Its romantic, with lots of secret places, and
tiny (1.5 square km) uninhabited island of Redonda,hence the most popular destination for weddings in
now a nature preserve and bird sanctuary.the last two years, and there are said to be 365
Down in the southwestern corner of Antigua iswhite and pink sand beaches, one for every day of
Boggy Peak (4,020 metres), which sounds like athe year.
contradiction in terms but is the name of the highestFor tourists with a taste for culture and history,
point. The capital of this small nation, which is homethere are the charms of St John's itself, with its
to some 68,000 people, is St John's, on Antigua.narrow streets and heavy stone cathedral; the
NELSON HATED IT, MILLIONAIRES LOVE ITrestored Georgian warehouses and working marina of
Well, for one thing it has a remarkable history. InNelson's Dockyard; and English Harbour, now the
1784 the then unknown but now legendary Admiralcentre of a national park crossed by walking trails
Horatio Nelson decided that the island, with its warm,along the hilltop battlements.
steady winds, its lacy coastline indented with safeActive holidaymakers have other delights in store.
harbours, bays and inlets, and its protective rim ofThe expansive, winding coastline is where trekkers
coral reef almost encircling the island, would be thecan encounter a wealth of secluded, powdery soft
perfect place to hide a fleet and so he establishedbeaches. Snorkellers and scuba divers home in on the
what became Great Britain's most importantwonderful coral reefs. During Sailing Week, you can
Caribbean base. He was not happy here. Nelson, poorwatch, sign up as a deck hand or of course join in
man, hated the place, calling it an 'infernal hole',the sailing yourself. Explore the underground caves at
declaring English Harbour 'vile' and decrying theIndian Town, rumoured to extend all the way to
uncouth and unpatriotic behaviour of the EnglishGuadeloupe.
inhabitants. The mosquitoes plagued him and heThere's an annual carnival, mouth-watering Caribbean
succumbed to the fever during his three-year stay,food, the largest casino in the eastern Caribbean,
before finally escaping back to England with an expatduty-free shopping, natural wonders including
English wife whom he married in Nevis.rainforest, the Frigate Bird Sanctuary and Devil's
Little could Nelson imagine that over 200 years laterBridge and much more. Accommodation ranges from
the same characteristics that attracted the Royalthe budget to the ultra-chic, super-luxurious Carlisle
Navy would make Antigua and Barbuda one of theBay, where prices start from £416 per night for
Caribbean's favourite tourist destinations, ranked asa double room.
Best Island for Celeb Spotting by Caribbean Travel &BEST TIME TO GO
Life magazine. Eric Clapton and Giorgio Armani ownMercifully low, in spite of the glories the islands have
properties here, Keith Richards and Posh and Becksto offer. The rugged terrain makes overdevelopment
have holidayed here, and each April the Sailing Weekunlikely and the roads, where they exist, are
attracts American tycoons such as Bill Gates, alongcharmingly bad; many of the scores of beaches are
with droves of Hollywood stars.unreachable by road. So here's a paradise that looks
EXPLORE, ADV ENTURE AND ROMANCElike staying so for a while yet. The best time to go is
As well as the beaches, inlets and almost constantduring Sailing Week, but be sure to book well ahead.