Come back to the caribbean!
THE Caribbean took a battering in September from Hurricanes Irma and Maria, but the islands are recovering fast.
Many of our favourite winter sun destinations, including Barbados, Jamaica, St Lucia and Grenada, escaped the worst of the storms, while others are getting back on track as their airports and hotels start to re-open.
Visitor numbers are inevitably down, but this means there are attractive package deals on offer.
By booking a holiday to this balmy region you’ll bring much-needed help to local people and businesses which rely on holidaymakers. According to the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association (CHTA) more than 70 per cent of Caribbean destinations were unaffected by the hurricanes.
It says all these popular holiday hotspots are now ‘open for business’: Antigua; Barbados; Cayman Islands; Cuba; Dominican Republic; Grenada; Jamaica; St Kitts and Nevis; St Lucia; St Vincent and the Grenadines; The Bahamas; Trinidad and Tobago; and Turks and Caicos.
Many of these experienced little or no damage and some are enjoying a boom year. Jamaica has been welcoming record numbers of visitors from the UK.
And Barbados is proving so attractive that Virgin Atlantic is launching a twiceweekly service from Heathrow to Bridgetown from December 12. Thomas Cook Airlines will introduce a weekly flight from Gatwick on December 16.
Other locations are described by the CHTA as being on the ‘road to recovery’, including Anguilla; Barbuda; the British Virgin Islands; Dominica; Puerto Rico; St Martin/Sint Maarten and St Barts. That’s not to say you can’t visit, just that not all of the hotels, restaurants and attractions are open and there will undoubtedly be a lot of reconstruction in progress.
Anguilla, a tiny British Overseas Territory blessed with some of the most beautiful beaches in the Caribbean, declared itself open on October 16, while accepting that there was still ‘a long way to go’.
Some larger top-end hotels here and on the fashionable French island of St Barts will remain closed until mid-2018.
But the situation is improving daily. You can get the latest information on each
island at caribbeantravelupdate.com. So, where’s good to go?
ACTION-PACKED ANTIGUA
FOR an easy, family- friendly beach holiday with plenty do — from ziplining through the rainforest to lounging on a catamaran with rum punch in hand — you can’t beat Antigua. DON’T MISS: On Sundays, head to Shirley Heights Lookout to enjoy the sunset views and soca rhythms. DETAILS: Seven nights at the all-inclusive St James’s Club & Villas, departing March 16, 2018, costs from £1,870 pp, including direct flights and transfers ( tropicbreeze.
co.uk; 01752 880 880).
BRILLIANT BARBADOS
BARBAdOS is another island which always delivers a good time, and is a smart choice for first- time visitors to the Caribbean. But dining out can be pricey, so consider self-catering. DON’T MISS: Take a selfie on Westbury New Road, which will be renamed Rihanna drive (after the Barbados-born singer who grew up there) on November 30. DETAILS: Seven nights at Ocean View, a two-bedroom apartment near Mullins Beach, departing december 6, costs from £1,445 pp including welcome pack and direct flights ( hammerton
barbados.com; 0800 368 9626).
BLISSFUL BAHAMAS
FOR white sand beaches mixed with duty-free shops, nightlife and a wide choice of restaurants, slip away to Nassau, the gateway island for The Bahamas. DON’T MISS: The exuberant parades and elaborate partying for Junkanoo, the national festival held at Christmas and New Year. DETAILS: Seven nights at the fourstar British Colonial Hilton Nassau departing on March 1, 2018, costs from £ 1,370 pp ( room only), including direct flights from London Heathrow ( ba. com/
bahamas; 0344 493 0120).
JOYFUL JAMAICA
THe Caribbean is not just about sunshine and cocktails by the pool — it is also rich in natural thrills and cultural adventures. Superscenic Jamaica mixes stylish resorts with lush mountain drives, silvery waterfalls and, as the onetime home of Bob Marley, plentiful reggae beats. DON’T MISS: Glide gently down the languid Martha Brae River on a 30 ft-long bamboo raft. DETAILS: Seven nights at Zoetry Montego Bay, including ‘endless privileges’ (basically all-inclusive with added extras), departing on February 16, 2018, costs from £1,983 pp including direct flights and transfers ( virginholidays.
co.uk; 0344 557 3859).
CLASSY ST KITTS
IF YOu like to explore, head for the sister isles of St Kitts and Nevis, which are full of historic character, including the World Her- itage site Brimstone Hill Fortress.
DON’T MISS: A ride through the countryside aboard the delightful St Kitts Scenic Railway. DETAILS: Seven nights at Nisbet Plantation Beach Club, on Nevis, departing on November 29, costs from £1,590 pp including breakfast, direct flights to St Kitts and transfers ( juststkittsnevis.co.uk; 01373 814 210).
GLORIOUS GRENADA
GReNAdA is a good choice for lovers of spices, chocolate and tropical gardens. It has a gentle and authentic atmosphere. DON’T MISS: The extraordinary River Antoine rum distillery, which started production in 1785. DETAILS: Seven nights at Calabash Luxury Boutique Hotel & Spa, departing on January 8, 2018, costs from £3,055 pp, including breakfast, direct flights and transfers ( theprivatetravelcompany.co.uk; 0203 797 3977).
SPLENDID ST LUCIA
FOR sensational views and a sense of adventure, volcanic St Lucia does not disappoint — especially if you hike to the summit of Gros Piton, one of its iconic twin peaks. DON’T MISS: The inventive cocoainspired cuisine at the Boucan by Hotel Chocolat restaurant near the town of Soufriere. DETAILS: Seven nights at Sugar Beach, A Viceroy Resort, departing on december 4, costs from £ 2,825 pp including breakfast, flights and transfers ( elegantresorts.
co.uk; 01244 897 516).
BEAUTIFUL BEQUIA
IF YOu are after somewhere laidback, with an old-fashioned charm, sneak to a hammock slung between whispering palms on this islet in St Vincent and the Grenadines. DON’T MISS: A day- sailing jaunt down to Tobago Cays, where you can snorkel with sea turtles. DETAILS: Seven nights at the Bequia Beach Hotel, departing on december 6, costs from £1,990 pp, including breakfast, flights via Barbados and transfers ( carrier.
co.uk; 01614 921 355).
ALL packages are based on two people sharing a room, and subject to availability. All flights are from Gatwick, except for those to The Bahamas, which depart from Heathrow.