There are 31 islands and territories in the Caribbean, yet most British travellers only visit a few select favourites, in some cases year after year. That’s our loss, because this charismatic and diverse region has much more to offer than the fly-and-flop holidays in an all-inclusive resort the tour operators love to sell us. From uncrowded beach escapes to eco-friendly diving spots and mighty volcanoes that cry out to be climbed, there is a treasury of lesser-known islands where we can make new and stimulating discoveries while still enjoying the warmth, sunshine and reviving rum punches that we expect from a winter break in the tropics.
Bouji hotels and restaurants are cropping up on lesser-known Caribbean islands, adding to their uncrowded allure – here's how to visit them
Find beach heaven on Anguilla:
This easygoing British Overseas Territory is ideal for a beach-focused winter sun holiday. The island boasts 33 of them and most conform to the brochure clichés: uncrowded soft white sands, warm turquoise waters, a hassle-free scene and small restaurants serving fresh local fish. Just 16 miles long, Anguilla has nothing you have to see, although the historical Heritage Collection Museum in East End is well worth an hour and it is also fun to get a car for a day or two to nose around. Golfers and active families will appreciate the re-branded Aurora Anguilla Resort with its Greg Norman championship course, while Carimar Beach Club has one and two-bedroom villa suites beside the glorious beach at Meads Bay (carimar.com).
Meads Bay, Anguilla:
With 33 of them, Anguilla is ideal for a beach-focused winter sun holiday.
No visit to Anguilla is complete until you’ve taken a trip to an offshore cay for a boozy lobster lunch – Sandy Island, a short boat ride from Sandy Ground Beach, is just that (mysandyisland.com) while Tradition, a 40 year-old sloop, offers day sails to Prickly Pear Cay (tradition-sailing.com).
How to do it: Kenwood Travel (020 7749 9220;kenwoodtravel.co.uk) has seven nights at Carimar Beach Club from £2,645 per person, room only, departing January 14, 2022, including British Airways flights from London Gatwick to Antigua, inter-island flights and transfers(ivisitanguilla.com).
The Telegraph UK ~ Dec 1, 2021
Nigel Tisdall