Caribbean

The Caribbean is famed for its beaches, but no other island can quite match Tobago.  It has an abundance of largely deserted beaches, ranging from pristine white coral to dark volcanic sand, fringed by the cooling Atlantic.  At Castara Bay's beautiful golden beaches, you can watch the fishermen pull in their nets, stroll along the beach and watch the sun setting over the Caribbean, or search for manta rays while snorkelling in Heavenly Bay's secluded waters.

Antigua is one of the most tranquil and charming of the Caribbean islands, famed for its 365 stunning powdery soft beaches.  The best of these is Dickenson Bay with its silk white sand leading down to the turquoise waters of the Caribbean Sea.

It is in this idyllic location that you will find a very special place voted the "World's Most Romantic Resort" for 15 years, the stunning Sandals Grande Antigua Resort and Spa.

Five miles out at sea and the water is still only one-metre deep, making it easy to hand-feed the magnificent, wild stingrays, prehistoric-looking creatures that glide up to you as you offer them a morsel of squid.

In the settled waters off the famous Seven Mile Beach lies the Kittiwake shipwreck, which was sunk to create an artificial reef in this spectacular marine park and is home to numerous species of coral and fish.  It is an awesome underwater playground for divers.

Named the 'Rich Coast' by Columbia in 1502, Costa Rica has up it tourism credential its only a backpacker's paradise but it now caters for the wider traveller, including a eco-luxe holiday destination in little over a decade thanks to sustainable tourism and excellent value to money.

This enchanting land laidback surfing communities, empty beaches and active volcanoes. Go and explore the bird-filled cloud forests of San Gerardo, the rich rainforest of the Osa Peninsula, riding the parched plains of Guanacaste and swim with turtles off the Pacific beaches.

There is something otherworldly about arriving at Sandals Barbados. This is the stuff of James Bond films and multi-million-pound music videos. But arriving at Sandals Barbados, the company’s newest resort after a $65 million makeover, it is all real. From the inventive accommodations spanning three unique villages, with luxurious suites, 11 restaurants and a spa and the eternally pouring beach bars to the gently swaying palm trees, Sandals Barbados is an almost inconceivable slice of luxurious exclusivity.

It’s easy to see why so many people think Barbados is paradise. As you approach Oistins’ fish market on a Friday night, your senses are awakened by the delicious aromas of fresh fish being cooked and the sweet strains of calypso – music so rhythmic you won’t be able to stop yourself from dancing along.

It’s has been given the nickname ‘the Gem of the Caribbean Sea’.  Whether you're looking to lounge on a pristine white beach, get a taste of local food or soak up lively Caribbean culture, your perfect holiday awaits you in Barbados. This picture-perfect tropical island really does have it all.  From a UNESCO World Heritage capital to a jaw-dropping coastline, and lush, wild interiors, it’s idyllic Caribbean scenery at its finest.  There’s  always something to entice visitors, including festivities, sport, music, nightlife, local traditions and delicious cuisine.

If you try to conjure up your idea of paradise, chances are the Caribbean would some pretty close, sugar-white beaches, luxurious resorts and miles and miles of aquamarine seas make it one of the most idyllic destinations on earth.  And at around eight hours’ flight from London, it’s an ideal place to enjoy some well-deserved rest and relaxation.

But which of its many islands to visit? St. Lucia, Barbados and Tobago, with adventure, vibrant culture and movie-star coastlines wrapped into each one – should be right at the top of your ultimate Caribbean wishlist.

May Day otherwise known as international workers’ day or Labour Day in short, is celebrated around the globe in different styles.   Unlike here in the UK where you have the add skirmishes between police and protester; elsewhere people celebrate or commemorate the occasion differently.  You could take a short break to Paris, Beijing, Havana and Pyongyang, North Korea to be part of the occasion.

If you mention the words Dominican Republic and Haiti you will hear more of your friends saying that they have been or planning to visit the former than the latter. Both countries or on the same island but because of Haiti’s past many European and American have stayed away.  The recent earthquake five years ago didn’t help either.