If you close your eyes and think of the most beautiful places and the most gorgeous beaches in the world, the Caribbean region will indisputably come to your mind. I say region as there are thousands of islands, one more stunning than the other. And, yes, there you’ll find those places that anyone dreams of – the answer every time you think about a sabbatical year. And, if a whole year is out of the question, than you should spend here at least one memorable holiday.
To get to the Caribbean, you must obviously fly. One of the best choices is to stop in Martinique, an eastern Caribbean island. Martinique is somehow synonymous with perfection: shining beaches with almost white sands in the south and mountains in the north area. With tropical forests, waterfalls and climbing routes for those keen on adventure. It’s a place where you can spend a few weeks without getting bored. On the other hand, though, after such a long journey, it would be a shame not to see more and, out of the thousands of islands, to pick just one.
But this involves a thorough planning. The simplest option is a cruise around the Caribbean, on board of a luxury ship, equipped with all possible amenities: from pools to a great library, from a fitness club and a fantastic runway to a tempting casino, from a magic spa to a theater. And, on top of the fun aboard such a ship, a cruise means you’ll get to see more places – spend time in each of them and return home full of energy and packed with the most beautiful memories.
There are various routes for the Caribbean cruises. The one we chose to talk about starts in Martinique and arrives in Guadeloupe, the Virgin Islands, St. Maarten, Santa Lucia, Dominica, Barbados, Trinidad and Tobago – and many other places. For example, in Trinidad and Tobago (two islands near Venezuela) there are over 250 species of birds and an abundance of exotic flowers – here you’ll see the most beautiful orchid species ever. In Santa Lucia, go to the iconic Anse des Pitons, to see the volcanoes. Dominica is a dolphins’ paradise, and also a haven for whales and other marine mammals that you don’t get to see anywhere else. The panorama from Scott’s Head will definitely stick in your mind: a narrow portion of earth that separates the Atlantic from the Caribbean Sea.
Guadeloupe is not just an island, but also a group of islands in the south of the Caribbean, the largest ones being Basse-Terre and Grande Terre. At Grand Cul du Sac there are superb, turquoise waters, coral barriers and small, yet spectacular islands. The view from Pointe des Chateaux is unforgettable, especially from atop – you can see how the Atlantic meets the land. And L’Anse a la Gourde is one of the most beautiful beaches on the island.
I know, I only achieved, above, a short review. As I was saying at the beginning, there are thousands of islands in the Caribbean region that are just waiting to be discovered. That’s why many of the tourists who want to visit this area choose to embark on a cruise, which takes them to several sensational places. Beaches like in postcards, diving and snorkeling spots, birds and exotic fish, marine mammals, waterfalls and parks of unreal beauty, mountains rising from the sea, sunsets as in fairy tales. An experience you should have at least once in your lifetime.
So, pack your bags and don’t forget at home:
– your camera or a phone with a high-performance camera – it’s impossible not to take good pictures here, so do not forget it… you’re gonna regret it! The place is gorgeous, so you need no filters
– your bathing suit and sunglasses
– a straw-hat, so you can walk at any time, despite the sun
– a sunscreen lotion – or more, if you want a longer holiday
– a good book for quiet evenings. My recommendation is “The white woman on the green bicycle” by Monique Roffey, because the story is placed in Trinidad.
