The Caribbean
The Caribbean is made up of over 7,000 islands delightfully dotted between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean. The main islands have become hugely popular and blessed with a year round tropical climate, stunning white sandy beaches, shimmering blue waters and lush vegetation; it’s easy to see why! Each island is unique and amazes with its diversity – in climate and landscape, in language, religion and customs, in the history showcased and the proud achievements in areas like music, sports, art and education. Whichever island you choose there is something for everyone. For those who like adventure there is some excellent hiking with many of the islands having marked trails for you to explore. And don’t forget the well known coral reefs alive with multi-coloured fish, which make it a popular choice amongst divers.
The culture
The Caribbean culture is a blend of different people and backgrounds. The modern day Caribbean is likely to be a descendant of an African slave or a Chinese or Indian labourer or a European colonial or a Middle Eastern trader. Many of their forefathers came to the islands by force, but the people of the Caribbean stayed in their new lands and over the years, a real sense of belonging has been created and the people look forward to the future with optimism rather than looking back at their difficult pasts. As you might expect from such a diverse heritage, there is a huge range of religious belief. What you will notice, though, regardless of the actual religion, is that church-going on a Sunday morning has an importance all of its own. The Caribbean’s other religion is music! Even though the islands are unique they all share a passion for music – arguably the pulsing heartbeat of life in the Caribbean and very much entwined in the islanders’ culture. Musical traditions that date back to the time of slavery are maintained, whilst Gospel music reflects the colonial past and the influence of American culture. Bob Marley exported reggae across the globe and that was followed soon after by salsa and merengue. The Caribbean is now a centre for world music. Concert venues attract the international stars of the classical music circuit for sell-out performances. Whatever your taste, you’ll find it more than satisfied in the lands of rhythm and melody!The nightlife
The Caribbean is most definitely a destination of lazy days and lively nights with rum and reggae a plenty! The Caribbean is renowned for its lively nightlife where you can easily party till dawn.Many of the larger hotels offer diverse entertainment programmes and you will find discos both inside and outside the hotels. Most of the islands have casinos and if you plan to pay one of them a visit, make sure that you have appropriate clothing, as dress codes tend to be quite formal. Eating out is a delight with a wide variety of cuisines to sample from the typical American to the local Creole style. As you might expect from sea-faring islands, the fish is excellent.
The beaches
Whether you are looking for miles of white sandy beaches or a secluded cove, the Caribbean has it all! It is the ultimate beach destination offering more than you could possibly imagine.The options
Each island has lots to explore but destination-skipping or “island-hopping” is easy as the islands lie close together. Regional airlines criss-cross the islands making inter-island touring uncomplicated, while their short-hop commuter airline partners in the region widen your choice of destinations and schedules….and fly low for better sightseeing. The Caribbean Islands make for a perfect twin centre with America. With flight connections from Miami, Dallas, Chicago, Boston or New York to any one of the four fabulous hotspots – St Lucia, Jamaica, Antigua or Barbados, the choice is yours! For more information on the options available, talk to one of our knowledgeable travel advisors or ask to see our America brochure for details on the wide range of properties availableAll-inclusive arrangements
Many hotels in the Caribbean are either all-inclusive or offer the option of paying a little extra to go all-inclusive. This is an ideal arrangement for those who prefer to budget in advance for their holiday expenses. All-inclusive means just that, as well as breakfast, lunch and dinner, the holiday price includes the cost of unlimited beverages – one of those items which can quickly raise the cost of your holiday. Most hotels have named and local brand drinks on offer – however some do just offer local drinks as part of their all-inclusive programme; some also only offer house wines by the glass with meals. Details of what is included in each hotel’s all-inclusive programme is detailed within the hotel description.Check in at your hotel
Virgin Atlantic offer their passengers the opportunity to check in for their flight home away from the hustle and bustle of the airport. Passengers flying with Virgin who are staying at selected hotels can actually check in for their flight home in the lobby of their hotel on the morning of their return flight. Boarding cards will be issued and luggage will be taken to the airport for you. This innovative service ensures you have more time to relax on the last day of your holiday and that you don't have to spend as much time waiting around at the airport. Look out for the ‘chill’ logo.In a nutshell...
“Each of the Caribbean islands offer something different to the next. All however, offer stunning beaches, beautiful scenery and friendly locals with a warmth and charm that is world renowned.”The facts
Language: English, although most islands have their own dialects as well.Passports: You will need a full 10 year passport valid for 6 months beyond your date of return.
Visas: Not required for UK passport holders for stays of less than three months as long as you have a return ticket
Vaccinations: Vaccinations are strongly recommended. For further information, please consult your doctor.
Climate: The Caribbean climate is fairly constant with variations in temperature and rainfall from month to month relatively minimal. High season is generally considered to be from December to April and the hurricane season extends from July to October. Early warning systems and modern weather forecasts mean that information about approaching hurricanes is available several days in advance enabling visitors to prepare or move on. Hurricanes and high winds are possible during this time, but less likely in Barbados, Jamaica and Tobago than St Lucia and Antigua.
Travelling time: British Airways, Virgin Atlantic and BWIA fly direct to most of the Eastern Caribbean islands, although some flights may involve a short stop en route. Air Jamaica offer flights to Jamaica. Non stop flying time is around 8 hours.
Local time: Jamaica GMT -5 hours. Other islands GMT -4 hours.
