San Juan to Bridgetown

Rich in history, La Fortaleza is the oldest governor’s mansion in the western hemisphere; be sure to see the mahogany clock which stopped in time when the last Spanish governor of Puerto Rico struck it with his sword on his way out, heralding the last moment of Spanish rule in the New World.

Island of celebrity hideaways and posh bungalows, considered by many to be the most elite and glamorous of all the Caribbean isles, St. Barts is home to 22 incredible beaches. Anse de Flamanes presents camera-ready scenery, Baie de St-Jean serves up beachside bistros, and Anse de Grand Cul-de-Sac offers an array of watersports.

Asunny climate, easy-going hospitality and 365 superb beaches make this island a favorite for sun-seekers. Its beautiful National Park stretches for ten square miles – here you’ll find the famous English Harbor and Nelson’s Dockyard. Horatio Nelson was posted here early in his career and the harbor was the headquarters for the British fleet during the 1800s.

Pointe-à-Pitre, Guadeloupe’s largest city, is situated on a limestone plateau on the island of Grande-Terre. The city’s structures were built with shipping and the growth of that industry in mind, and locals, lovingly referred to as “Pointois,” contribute to this continued progress and economic expansion by exporting food crops, animal products and manufactured goods. Visitors enjoy strolling the narrow lanes along the waterfront or shopping the colorful market stalls of the Marché Couvert.

Volcanic in origin, this overseas region of France is a tropical paradise of stunning beaches and rain-forested mountains. Known as the “isle of flowers” to the indigenous Arawak, it is today renowned for its culinary offerings and remains ever-enchanting with colonial architecture and glorious gardens. Adding to its mystic allure is the still-smoldering Mount Pelée that erupted in 1902, wiping out the capital of St. Pierre (today in Fort-de-France), often called the Pompeii of the Caribbean.

Barbados is sun-drenched beaches, clear blue-green waters and cool trade winds. Its capital is a UNESCO treasure and inland you’ll see lovingly preserved plantation houses, lush sugar cane fields and fragrant gardens. Reminders of former British rule abound, from cricket fields to Lord Nelson’s statue and the original Trafalgar Square. Don’t miss Bridgetown’s bustling Careenage and the shops on Broad Street, which offer deals on luxury imports from Britain.