Caribbean Skies - 4218A

The island is shared in two parts as: the northern part Saint-Martin (a French overseas collectivity) and southern part Sint Maarten (of the Kingdom of the Netherlands): hence its name St-Martin / St Maarten. It lies in the NE Caribbean, located 300 km E of Puerto Rico. This tiny island is an extremely popular holiday and duty-free shopping destination famous for its variety of 37 palm-treed beaches that include salt-water ponds. For 13 weeks in late 2017 the island was off limits to cruise ships, until facilities were rebuilt following the island’s destruction wrought by Hurricane Irma. Read more about St Martin (Philipsburg), Guadeloupe

Soper's Hole is a small settlement on the secluded south-west tip of Tortola, the largest and most populated of the British Virgin Islands. Tortola is a tax haven and home to many offshore companies that do business worldwide with many workers coming from other Caribbean islands. Read more about Sopers Hole, Virgin Islands (British)

Saint-Barthelemy (St Bart’s) is a French island located in the Caribbean among the Leeward Islands. St Bart’s has long been considered a playground of the rich and famous, and is known for its beautiful pristine world class beaches, gourmet dining in chic restaurants, and duty free high-end designer shopping. Two interesting fact are: firstly, that the population is nearly entirely of European ancestry, and secondly that the island - consisting principally cliffs and hills - has no rivers or springs. Another notable feature is that, as according to law no building can be taller than a palm tree, there is a complete absence of high rises and massive resorts. Read more about St Bart's, Guadeloupe

Basseterre is located on the SW coast of St Kitts Island in the Leeward Islands group, and is one of the oldest towns in the Eastern Caribbean. Subsequently, it is very well known for its variety of architectural styles and fascinating buildings, set against dense tropical forests and a huge dormant volcano. The domed colonial Treasury Building, or customs house, is a reminder of the value of these islands as sugar colonies. Take a stroll around Basseterre and wander around the Circus, a diminutive roundabout, modelled after Piccadilly in London. Read more about Basseterre, Saint Kitts and Nevis

Portsmouth is a sea port and the second largest town of Dominica, an island in the Lesser Antilles region of the Caribbean Sea. It lies on the Indian River in the north of the island, and importantly, is close to Cabrits National Park. The town is a staging point for bird-watching, hikes and safari tours across Dominica to the mountains, waterfalls, lakes and tropical rainforests. Offshore coral reefs in Prince Rupert Bay provide for spectacular scuba and snorkelling excursions. Read more about Portsmouth, Dominica

Martinique is a Caribbean island that is an overseas department of France. It truly is a ‘little bit of France’, and visitors quickly become aware that very little English is spoken. On the other hand, it is intriguing in that it is one of the few islands where the lush countryside reflects the growth of sugar cane and bananas. The island also has contemporary appeal, as it offers elegant restaurants and chic boutiques in the Galleria shopping mall. Read more about Martinique, Martinique

Mayreau is the smallest inhabited island of the Grenadines, in the far SE of the Caribbean Sea. It has a population of about 300, centred at the Old Wall village, with its small school, a telecommunications building, and the Mayreau Catholic Church located on a hilltop in the SW of the island. With its picture-postcard beaches, it truly is a secret treasure of peace and tranquillity. Imagine calm waters and powder white sand, vendors selling souvenirs and drinks, the Bay Club restaurant and bar with great food and cocktails, and you have it all at Saltwhistle Bay - just one of the many beaches. Read more about Mayreau, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

The city of Bridgetown is the capital and largest city of the island country of Barbados, a major tourist destination in the West Indies. The city has numerous attractions, landmarks, monuments, museums, and art galleries of an international standard. It is also a starting point for visiting many other popular cities on the island. This historic city and its nearby Garrison are recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, so be sure to take a virtual tour to explore the area. Read more about Bridgetown, Barbados

Roseau, a small, compact and most important urban settlement, is the capital and largest city of the island of Dominica, in the Caribbean. Dominica has been nicknamed the ‘Nature Isle of the Caribbean’ for its unspoiled natural beauty. Interestingly, it is built on the site of the ancient Kalinago Indian village of Sairi. There are some fine examples of West Indian architecture in Roseau. Read more about Roseau, Dominica

Pointe-a-Pitre (“Headland of Peter”; population 172,000) is the largest city of Guadeloupe, an overseas region of France, located in the Lesser Antilles of the Caribbean. (The capital is Basse-Terre.) The inhabitants are called "Pointois". The port is on the island of Grande-Terre, facing west to nearby Basse-Terre Island. The islands are joined by a bridge across a narrow sea channel called Salt River, and they are often referred to as a single island. Read more about Pointe-a-Pitre, Guadeloupe

Basse-Terre, on Basse-Terre Island, is the administrative capital of Guadeloupe, an overseas region of France located in the Lesser Antilles, Eastern Caribbean. It is filled with various historical landmarks and forts that date back to 1643, as well as several colonial buildings and monuments all around the city. It is connected to Grande-Terre by the Point de la Gabare Bridge that is built over Riviere Salee. Known for its many delightful beaches such as Malendure beach, the Centre Nautique de Basse-Terre and Marina de Rivière Sens, all offer great opportunities for a range of water activities. Read more about Basse-Terre, Guadeloupe

Les Anses-d'Arlet (The Coves of Arlet) is a small coastal town that blends into the hills on the SW coast of Martinique. The island of Martinique is a French Overseas Department (speaking French, Martiniquan Creole, and currency Euro) located in the Lesser Antilles of the East Caribbean. It lies 14km south of the capital Fort-de-France. Here tourism has become more important than agriculture – sugar and bananas – for the economy. Read more about Les Anses-d'Arlet, Martinique

St. George's is the capital of Grenada, British West Indies. The city surrounds a horseshoe-shaped harbour, and is an attractive colonial-era town with a distinctly Mediterranean feel that appears to spill down the hill side. When a ship arrives at the new docks, the town explodes into a frenzy of activity, market stalls open up on shore, restaurants and bars fill up, and street vendors as well as local guides come out in force. Read more about St George's, Grenada

The city of Bridgetown is the capital and largest city of the island country of Barbados, a major tourist destination in the West Indies. The city has numerous attractions, landmarks, monuments, museums, and art galleries of an international standard. It is also a starting point for visiting many other popular cities on the island. This historic city and its nearby Garrison are recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, so be sure to take a virtual tour to explore the area. Read more about Bridgetown, Barbados