Antigua & Barbuda

Antigua’s famous boast that it can offer ‘a beach for every day of the year’ is selling it short. The island’s appeal is far wider than that and encompasses its colonial history, its lack of development, its lively yachting culture and its picturesque interior that ranges from rainforest lush to desert dry.

With total disregard for any need of a fashionable hub, its finest hotels are scattered around the island, most of them serene little micro-worlds where one can dine and play without even having to think about stepping outside. Yet it would certainly be a pity not to - some particularly fine island restaurants open their doors during the winter months.

Antigua’s sister island of Barbuda must surely now rank as one of the Caribbean’s ultimate getaways. With its endless beaches and evening sunsets, it should be top of your list if you want to get lost for a week or so