San Juan, Puerto Rico's capital, blends old and new. Founded in 1521, it was a key Spanish colonial port; El Morro still guards the harbor. Old San Juan, behind thick stone walls, keeps blue cobblestone streets, plazas, and colorful heritage buildings, and serves as the island's cultural hub. Nearby Santurce is the trendiest district, with shops, restaurants, and nightlife. Minutes away, Condado and Isla Verde offer iconic palm-lined Atlantic beaches.

Bequia is the Grenadines' "big" small island, just seven square miles of natural beauty and classic Caribbean charm. Its capital, Port Elizabeth, has a yachting-village feel on Admiralty Bay. Princess Margaret Beach is a standout, while turquoise waters and reefs offer excellent snorkeling and diving. Inland hikes reward views of St. Vincent and nearby islands like Mustique. Its warm hospitality attracts sailors, beachgoers, and expats.

Martinique, France's "Isle of Flowers," blends tropical beauty, Creole culture, and French style. Its volcanic north, dominated by Mont Pelée, has black-gray sands and rainforest. After the 1902 eruption, the capital moved to Fort-de-France, the largest city and deepest natural harbor, with markets, cafés, La Savane, the cathedral, Fort Saint-Louis, and nearby Sacré-Coeur de Balata and a botanical garden. South of the bay, white-sand Caribbean beaches begin.

Les Saintes is a volcanic archipelago of two islands and seven uninhabited islets, ringed by coral reefs and clear seas. Terre-de-Haut, just over two square miles, is the most developed, with scenic bays, natural harbors, quiet beaches, and picturesque villages. Its laid-back days center on beachgoing, hiking, snorkeling, and diving. Bourg des Saintes has cafés, the church of Notre-Dame de l'Assomption, and Fort Napoleon, now a museum and botanical garden with sweeping views.

Saint Barthélemy, or Saint Barth, offers refined Caribbean luxury with a relaxed, barefoot-elegant French style. Its harbor capital, Gustavia, is lined with yachts, boutiques, galleries, and fine French-Caribbean restaurants. The island's white-sand beaches range from secluded Colombier to chic Baie de St. Jean, and its laid-back days give way to lively nightlife after dark.

San Juan, Puerto Rico's capital, blends old and new. Founded in 1521, it was a key Spanish colonial port; El Morro still guards the harbor. Old San Juan, behind thick stone walls, keeps blue cobblestone streets, plazas, and colorful heritage buildings, and serves as the island's cultural hub. Nearby Santurce is the trendiest district, with shops, restaurants, and nightlife. Minutes away, Condado and Isla Verde offer iconic palm-lined Atlantic beaches.