Luxury villas Caribbean

With amazing culture, beaches, activities and weather – not to mention the rum – the Caribbean is a joyous riot of islands offering the ultimate escape.

Rocked by music, rolled by change, lapped by turquoise water, blown by hurricanes – the Caribbean is not a place anyone could call static. It’s a lively and intoxicating profusion of people and places spread over 7000 islands (fewer than 10% are inhabited).

Azure seas, white beaches, green forests so vivid they actually hurt the eyes – there is nothing subtle about the bold colours of the Caribbean. Swim below the waters for a colour chart of darting fish and corals. Wander along the sand and stop at the paintfactory explosion that is a beach bar, from the garish decor to the rum punch in your glass. Hike into emerald wilderness and spot the accents of red orchids and yellow parrots.

Even the food is colourful, with rainbows of produce brightening up the local markets.

You’ll also see every colour but dull at intense, costume-filled festivities like Carnival, celebrated throughout the region. And all this colour is infectious. Like birds shedding dull adolescent plumage, visitors leave their wardrobes of gray and black behind when they step off the plane and don the Caribbean palette.

• Anguilla
• Lying to the east of Puerto Rico, Anguilla is a self-governing British Overseas Territory just twenty six kilometres long by five wide. Anguilla’s coastline offers long white-sand beaches including Maunday’s Bay, and secluded coves tucked between cliffs at Little Bay.
• Antigua
• Antigua lies in the northern Caribbean to the east of the British Virgin Islands. Coral reefs calm the ocean around Antigua, making this an ideal destination for diving and other water sports. White sand beaches line the coast.
• Bahamas
• The great thing about being in a paradise like The Bahamas is that even doing nothing is an absolute thrill. While ensconced in blissful relaxation you’re only moments away from some of the best fishing and diving in the world. Historical sites are waiting to be visited too, and friendly Bahamians look forward to welcoming you and sharing their culture.
• Barbados
• Barbados lies to the east of the other Caribbean islands. Measuring thirty four kilometres by twenty three, it is a low-lying island whose shores are protected by a ring of coral reefs.
• St Barths
• One of the most northerly isles in the eastern Caribbean, and lying to the west of Antigua, pint-sized St. Barths is part of the French West Indies. It has a ‘South of France’ feel, with chic port-side towns and bays of white sand dotting its rugged coastline.

• Anguilla
• Sailing is the national sport on Anguilla, and the island is popular with the yachting set. Charter a boat, crewed or bare, to explore the outlying islands; or rent a dinghy from beachfront water-sports’ concessions. On land, hiking, biking, and horse riding are ways to explore the island’s arid terrain, coastline, and fishing villages.
• Antigua
• The waterfront around Nelson’s Dockyard has some of the finest restored Georgian buildings in the Caribbean. A tour of the island also reveals colonial forts such as the Fort James, north of the capital, and former plantations.
• Bahamas
• You won’t be surprised to know in The Bahamas you can find just about every water-based activity imaginable – the oceans around the islands are crystal clear, azure blue oceans that are perfect for diving the 3rd largest barrier reef system in the world, snorkelling, swimming with dolphins, manta rays and huge shoals of fish, sailing or kayaking through mangroves and of course relaxing on some of the world’s most beautiful beaches.
• Barbados
• Barbados hosts a sports, food, or arts event almost every month of the year. These include the annual Food, Wine, and Rum Festival in November and Holders Season—a performing-arts event held in March in the gardens of a restored plantation house.
• St Barths
• St. Barths’ beaches are as exquisite as its shops. Retail therapy is considered a serious leisure activity in St. Barths—purchases are tax free.