Barbados is ringed by pristine beaches: rugged, hilly east coast on the Atlantic; calmer west coast with most resort hotels, Bridgetown, and colonial settlements. Visit the restored 17th-century Sunbury Plantation House or enjoy views from Gun Hill Signal Station. Go catamaran sailing, Atlantis submersible tours, or off-road island safaris. Don't miss flying fish with a glass of Mount Gay rum.

Whether you enjoy climbing waterfalls or simply relaxing on sun-kissed beaches, you will find that the capital of Grenada has something for everyone. From the moment you arrive, you will not only be charmed by a colorful mix of colonial architecture set on lush vegetation, but also be enchanted by the smell of cinnamon and nutmeg. Be sure to visit one of the many spice estates or shop for exotic spices in the Market Square.

Known as the "City of Arches" because of the many volcanic stone archways throughout the downtown area, Kingstown was first settled by the French. In the following decades, the island was ceded to the British. Stroll along Bay Street and duck into one of its many shops, but for truly authentic island goods, visit the outdoor waterfront market and the large produce market.

Castries is St Lucia's capital, commercial center, and main cruise port. Founded by the French around 1768, it changed hands in the early 1800s, when the British made it a major naval port and built fortifications on Morne Fortune above the harbor. Today, visitors can shop duty-free at Pointe Seraphine, explore rain forest in Castries Waterworks Forest Reserve, or take day trips to the Grand Pitons and Fort Charlotte for scenic views and history.

You will be cheering vive la France during your time in Fort-de-France. The capital of Martinique boasts beautiful French architecture, such as the Cathédral St-Louis, several French-built forts and pristine beaches that rival those of the Riviera. All roads lead to La Savane, a serene central park overseen by a statue of Empress Josephine. Savor the favored French-Antillean dish of Filet of John Dory with yellow bananas and anise.

One of the Caribbean's true gems, St. Barts is where Riviera chic meets Caribbean cool. Day-trippers come from nearby islands for the duty-free shopping, excellent dining and to lounge on the soft, white sands in a secluded palm-fringed cove. Tour Fort Gustav and Fort Carl, historic reminders of Sweden's short-lived Caribbean possession. Excursions abound, inviting guests to snorkel, sail over the clear blue waters on a catamaran, or horseback ride through shaded jungle trails.

With over a quarter of the island set aside as a national park and rainforest still growing, St. Kitts is a stunning tropical escape. Zip through the Valley of the Giants, hike to Sofa Rock atop a still-smoldering volcano, or relax on beaches protected by coral reefs. Enjoy fresh seafood and seasonal fruits like soursop and mammy apples, plus duty-free shopping for copperware, local beer and rum, and embroidered fabrics.

Antigua, especially St. John's, is a classic British Caribbean destination, with 365 beaches, coral reefs, forts, and colonial architecture. See St. John's Cathedral, rebuilt on the same spot three times after earthquakes, and the Museum of Antigua & Barbuda, with island history and semiprecious stones. For nature, visit Nelson's Dockyard National Park or the Shirley Heights trail. St. John's also has nightlife and live music, and local restaurants serve buttery "flying fish."

Roseau, a small town with plenty of colonial charm, offers the colorful New Market, where you can stop for a refreshing coconut drink. Dominica's real beauty lies in its unspoiled natural landscape - the dense rain forests, lush foliage, natural springs and rivers and tall, smoldering peaks. Dominica is home to one of the Caribbean's great natural wonders-the scenic Valley of Desolation, where in a verdant tropical gorge, white mists from bubbling hot springs swirl in the air.

Barbados is ringed by pristine beaches: rugged, hilly east coast on the Atlantic; calmer west coast with most resort hotels, Bridgetown, and colonial settlements. Visit the restored 17th-century Sunbury Plantation House or enjoy views from Gun Hill Signal Station. Go catamaran sailing, Atlantis submersible tours, or off-road island safaris. Don't miss flying fish with a glass of Mount Gay rum.