Those pirates had the right idea!
There they were, trudging off to the office, another billowing sheet of rain pounding down, when up came the subject of gold, lots of it, and warm, sunny skies, beautiful beaches, azure nights and glorious dining under the stars. The Caribbean beckoned, and we reckon, for a few pieces of eight, you should heed the call too!
Holiday Supermarket is your first destination for Caribbean Holidays. Holidays so good they'll melt that icy blast of office air con and warm the cockles of your heart. There are just so many islands and cheap Caribbean destinations though, how do you choose?
Start at A for Antigua. This idyllic place boasts small coves, crisp white sands and beaches surrounded by rolling hills. Antigua is in the southern reaches of the Caribbean, close to St Kitts and St Lucia. The towns of St John (the capital) and Nelson's Dockyard are delightful, with solid stone houses and shops reaching down to the harbour, tight alleys and bustling Creole restaurants, particularly around the gorgeous Anglican Cathedral in the town centre. Think balmy nights, music and dining al fresco. And the beaches are extraordinary. Every one is a gem but Half Moon Bay is a brilliant crescent of white sand and gently lapping water so crystal clear you'll never get out.
B for Bahamas is probably the most famous of them all when considering holidays Caribbean. Nassau is a pastel-painted tropical capital full of noise, music and enthusiasm. It's likely your stepping off point and a day or two exploring the town is well rewarded. 18th century stone buildings line the quay and the harbour looks much like it did in Blackbeard's day. The National Art Gallery is in a beautiful old colonial stone home and shopping for all is on Bay St.
For holidays to Caribbean beaches, there are over 700 islands to choose from. The pick are on Grand Bahama with gorgeous resorts and deserted tropical beaches just moments from your hotel. There are adventurous holidays available such as diving with sharks, or you can just enjoy an idyllic white sand beach with warm water nibbling at your toes as you get some quality reading time in. Other islands offer the full range of cheap Caribbean holidays.
B is also for Bermuda. A place steeped in pirate history and known for its quality resorts. The striking pink sand beaches are a big feature of what makes Bermuda special and you'll love the UNESCO World Heritage site of St George's. Caribbean holidays are what Bermuda is all about - the food here is truly special. Fresh ingredients and world -class restaurants are available i the capital of Hamilton. If you want to live the high life - for a day - visit the Royal Bermuda Yacht Club and have your cocktails shaken not stirred!
C is for the stunning Cayman Islands. This is a scuba diver's paradise - Little Cayman in particular - and the beaches, well, this is what holidays to the Caribbean are all about, right? George Town is the capital city (town? village?) on Grand Cayman and here's where the best restaurants are. It's also famous for it's duty free shopping in the swanky shopping malls. The real deal for the Cayman's though is on Little Cayman, or more precisely just off the north shore and the 6000-foot sheer drop of the Bloody Bay Wall. Warm water gives way to coral; exotic fish and the deep blue of tremendous depth the further down you go. It's one of the world's great dives, so if you dive, this is your Caribbean holidays destination!
G is for Granada. For all things holidays Caribbean, Grenada is our pick. A laid back paradise where you can do a little of everything. There are hiking trails in the Grand Etang National Park and beautiful scuba and snorkelling off the southern coast. There's also a shipwreck dive here for the enthusiast. The horseshoe harbour of St George is a delightful place to while away a few hours as you wait for dinnertime to arrive. The bright colours and the laid-back atmosphere are especially conducive to a cold beer in one of the may little bars!
S is for St Kitts and Nevis are holidays to Caribbean destinations writ large. These beautiful islands have all the colour and chaos, the atmosphere and the beaches, the balmy winds, icy cocktails and crisp white sand that we all search so hard for - all on this pair of islands in the southern corner of the Caribbean. Snorkel with fish at Pinney bay; explore 17th century forts and pirate towns. Dine on fresh seafood and drink crisp Caribbean beer. Diving is good - Nag's Head and Booby Shoals are highly regarded dive sites.
S is also for St Lucia. A large island that boasts dramatic hills and extinct volcanoes, St Lucia is fringed with beautiful bays and warm waters. The food is very good here - very fresh, a seafood bias and local Creole delicacies. The big resorts are on the North Coast and there's a decent bar scene around the Rodney Bay Marina. There's plenty to see in the capital town of Castries with walking trails to lookout points and old forts to explore.
T is for Trinidad and Tobago. The character is slightly different here with more of an emphasis on nature, parks and wildlife. The beaches are certainly beautiful but there's more to see - with hiking trails, caves, tidal pools and Buccoo Reef where you explore the depths from the comfort of a glass bottomed boat. Trinidad and Tobago are quite different islands. Trinidad and vibrant Port au Spain is a lively, colourful, busy place where Tobago is all about relaxing on fine-white sands and swimming in azure waters.
The Caribbean is everything the hype suggests - palm-fringed, crisp white sand beaches, laid back people and warm weather for 95% of the year. Make the leap - you'll love it!