Located in the eastern Caribbean, Antigua is part of the Leeward Islands. Its 365 beaches, and average temperatures between the mid 70s and mid 80s make it easy for visitors to partake in many outdoor activities. Deep sea fishing, kayaking, scuba diving and sailing charters are all readily available. Cades Reef is a popular 2.5-mile location for diving. Set in a barrier reef, barracudas, reef sharks, moray eels, coral and colorful fish can all be spotted there.
Folk pottery is an Antigua staple and has been handmade there for centuries. Sea View Farm Village, for example, has many pieces of pottery from which to choose as a souvenir.
For dining options, this English speaking island has many comforts of home for visiting Americans. While Caribbean, French, Asian and seafood restaurants are ample in Antigua, popular chains such as Subway and KFC exist there as well.
Lodging in Antigua ranges from cottages and hotels to full-scale resorts. One option is the all-inclusive CocoBay Resort. Easter egg-colored cottages sit on the white sand beach, and infinity pools appear to blend seamlessly into the turquoise sea. CocoBay is located on Valley Church Drive.
The largest of the three Cayman islands, Grand Cayman is 76 miles of shopping, resorts, beaches, and water activities. Acknowledged for its snorkeling, Grand Cayman has water sports centers in many of the hotels that make it convenient for guests to rent kayaks, take banana boat rides and paddleboat trips.
Local shops as well as those in the Grand Harbour Centre are available to purchase Cayman Island mementos as well as jewelry and designer clothes. Local artists sell their crafts at locations around the city and at the Cayman Islands Arts Festival, which showcases artisans every April.
Each year in November, Pirates Week takes over Grand Cayman. Locals and tourists converge, donning their best pirate wares as they attend street parties, parades, firework shows and enjoy the food and festivities.
Accommodations on Grand Cayman include seaside villas, condos, and bed and breakfasts. For those wishing to splurge, The Ritz-Carlton Grand Cayman is an upscale resort. Guests can step out the resort doors and straight onto white sands. Those staying at the Ritz-Carlton also have use of the spa, golf course, oceanfront pools, and hot tubs and tennis center. There are also five restaurants, and shops such as Tiffany & Co. The Ritz Carlton Grand Cayman is located on Seven Mile Beach.
St. Maarten, also spelled as St. Martin, is small at only 37 square miles. It is owned by two different countries, France and the Netherlands Antilles, and its residents are more than 80 different nationalities. This petite landmass is as diverse as its background and offers many activities such as shopping, gambling, nightclubs, superb dining and water activities. It is a mountainous island with lagoons and rugged terrain.
Guests may find a shopper's delight in St. Maarten. Clothing, accessories and perfumes can be purchased from duty-free shops.
For the active tourists, wake-boarding, parasailing and diving may all be arranged. Horseback riding and mountain biking are popular sports, and although not for the faint of heart, sky diving is a memorable activity available there.
Whether looking for budget lodging or five-star accommodations, St. Maarten has a wide range of choices. The Westin St. Maarten, Dawn Beach Resort and Spa is located between the hillside and the beach. It houses a casino, two restaurants, retail shops, a spa and sauna. The resort also has an outdoor pool and a beachfront water sports shop. The Westin is located on Oyster Pond Road.
