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.

The city blends Dutch and Spanish architecture. Now a Dutch city named for the House of Orange, it became Aruba's capital in 1979. Beyond the beaches, start at Wilhelmina Park, a tropical waterfront garden with Caribbean breezes, then visit the Archaeological Museum of Aruba or the Numismatic Museum of Aruba, which displays coins from 400+ countries. Fort Zoutman (1796), the island's oldest Dutch building, gained Willem III Tower in 1867 and now offers views, music festivals, and craft fairs.

Discover a touch of old Amsterdam in a Caribbean paradise. Pastel waterfront buildings give this Dutch island its charm. Don't miss the colorful floating market, a short walk from Queen Emma Pontoon Bridge. A World Heritage site, Punda preserves hundreds of national monuments, including Fort Amsterdam, the Governor's Palace, Mikve Israel-Emanuel Synagogue-one of the first in the New World-and the colorful Penha building.

Just 50 miles north of Venezuela, Bonaire is part of the Netherlands Antilles, which includes St. Maarten, St. Eustatius, Saba and Curacao. In 1951, the first hotel opened on Bonaire, and tourism has been the dominant industry ever since. With a dazzling array of fish and coral reefs and spectacularly clear water (100-ft visibility), Bonaire offers some of the best dive spots in the Caribbean.

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.