‘Swap cold, grey Britain for a turquoise sea’

The Caribbean took a hard blow last autumn when two category five hurricanes passed through. While Irma and Maria are unlikely to be popular names for a new baby in the coming months, the devastation was confined to a limited area. According to the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association, more than 70 per cent of the region was unaffected, including such favourite winter sun escapes as Barbados, Jamaica, St Lucia and Grenada. Most of this balmy region is not only open for business as usual – it’s thriving. Before the storms struck, several islands were reporting record visitor numbers, a boom reflected in the UK by the launch this season of The warm waters off Nevis provide the alluring setting for an expert “swim retreat” led by British Olympians Keri-Anne Payne and David Carry. Held at Nisbet Plantation Beach Club, the seven-night package departing March 21 with Tropic Breeze (01752 880880; tropicbreeze. co.uk) costs from £2,405 per person including British Airways flights to and from St Kitts, transfers, breakfast, a Champion’s Welcome Dinner and tuition. Places are limited to 20 swimmers of all abilities and there’s an option to join the annual Nevis to St Kitts Cross Channel Swim (nevistostkittscrosschannelswim.com). Book by January 31 2018. “back to the Nineties”, says Johnny Considine from expert concierge service Cuba Private Travel (07793 451652; cubaprivatetravel.com). This makes it a perfect time to visit the island’s romantic and still crowd-free capital. A four-night long weekend departing Feb 15 including Virgin Atlantic flights, visas, transfers, guides and a suite at Havana’s hottest boutique hotel, Malecón 663, costs from £1,490 per person. You also get to ride out to Ernest Hemingway’s home in an open-top classic car, tour the city’s trendiest art galleries, hang out on the beach and enjoy top tables at the best bars and restaurants. My visits to the islands have been some of the most memorable of my life. I was once sent on assignment to Bequia, and the sea was breathtakingly clear and virtually body temperature. It lured me into learning to scuba dive – and , an experience that made me a passionate underwater visitor. activities include excursions to see caves, mangroves and Los Haitises National Park. Tui (0203 636 1931; tui. co.uk) offers seven nights all-inclusive at the Grand Bahia Principe Cayacoa from £1,036 per person, departing Jan 9 and including Tui Airways flights and transfers. 897516; elegantresorts. co.uk) has seven nights from £3,456 per person departing Feb 3 including British Airways flights to and from St Kitts, UK airport lounge passes, transfers and breakfast. Thanks to its Irish heritage, Montserrat is the only country beyond Ireland where St Patrick’s Day (March 17) is an official holiday. The accompanying, weeklong cultural festival is a boisterous mix of carnival and craic held on an intriguing island spectacularly crowned by the mighty Soufrière Hills volcano. Seven nights departing March 14 with Motmot Travel (01327 359622; motmottravel.com) costs from £1,795 per person, including British Airways flights to and from Antigua, connecting flights for Montserrat, transfers, accommodation at Olveston Lodge and a full-day island tour. Looking for an educational half-term break in the sunshine? At the RitzCarlton Grand Cayman children can take part in “Ambassadors of the Environment”, a naturalist-led programme of activities in partnership with Jean-Michel Cousteau’s Ocean Futures Society. Those aged four to seven learn about the Caymans through experiences such as “Have You Ever Seen A Blue Iguana?” (an endangered species), while over-eights can go night-snorkelling and kayak through the mangroves. Caribtours (0207 751 0660; caribtours.co.uk) offers seven nights departing Feb 10 from £3,589 adult, £2,375 child, based on four sharing room only, including British Airways flights from London Heathrow and transfers.

Driving through Havana in style; all kitted out in St Kitts, left