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Time for a tropical spa retreat?

The islands of the Caribbean curl round from the tip of Mexico’s Yucatan peninsula to the mouth of the Orinoco river in Venezuela. Some are just uninhabited cays, while others are home to almost twenty million people.

Lush greenery, white sand and azure water may be just a short drive from a busy town centre. Differing cultures mean each island has its own character. St Bathélémy brings all the sophistication of France to its shores. The Turks and Caicos have reputedly the most perfect stretches of sugar white sand in this hemisphere. These locations rank highly as the most romantic destinations in the world and provide a heavenly base to experience a luxury spa retreat with a healthy dose of culture thrown in to boot. Culture The Caribbean islands were fought over by the European powers for centuries and have seen slavery, rebellions and buccaneers. Both Christopher Columbus and Francis Drake sailed this area.

Napoleon’s Josephine was born on the French island of Martinique, and Nelson’s wife Fanny, came from Nevis. Today the pirate ships may have metamorphosed into cruise liners and private yachts, and the islands now boast beach spa hotels and combined golf and spa resorts but the colonial heritage is still in evidence. The region remains a cultural melting pot. To this day, the tiny island of St Martin, just 38 square miles, is half French and half Dutch, while Montserrat, which became a refuge for Irish Catholics, has a phone book full of Irish names and celebrates St Patrick’s day. Shopping Markets are the best outlets for printed fabrics, wood carvings, straw baskets, hats and other handicrafts. Duty-free shops have bargains in cashmere, cameras and other luxury goods. St Barts has designer gear not always found in European boutiques. The jewellery on the island is highly covetable. Entertainment and Nightlife If you can bear to leave your luxury spa, scuba diving, sailing, windsurfing and deep-sea fishing await.

Some islands have golf courses. Nightlife ranges from relaxing over a slow dinner to dancing until dawn. Much of the after-dark action is concentrated in resort hotels, restaurants and clubs. Look out for the luxury golf and spa resorts as they promise to provide unforgettable moments that will leave visitors wanting to return again and again. Climate Warm and sunny all year round, with trade winds keeping humidity under control. May to November are the wettest months. Winter evenings can be chilly. Not to be missed On Nevis, the view from the ancient fort at Brimstone Hill. Saba’s tropical caves, a paradise for scuba divers. St Lucia’s drive-in volcano, Soufriére. Trinidad’s carnival. How to get there Antigua, Barbados, Bermuda, Curacao, Guadeloupe, Martinique, St Kitts, St Lucia, Trinidad and the US Virgin Islands have direct international flights; smaller islands are reached by local connecting flights or by boat.

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