| Looking for a unique Caribbean destination that is not | | | | can also be found beneath the sea. The locals named |
| over developed, and crowded during the peak tourist | | | | the place "Champagne" due to the hot water vents |
| season? There are a few islands that have maintained | | | | creating a fizzle sound on the coral rocks. Once you |
| much of their original natural beauty, charm, and offer | | | | are in the water, it does feel as though you have dived |
| an out of the ordinary experience. | | | | into warm, bubbly champagne. |
| 1) Curacao has a unique European charm with an | | | | 3) St Vincent & The Grenadines provides visitors with |
| exotic, tropical backdrop. The capital city Willemstad is | | | | travel to one destination, and the opportunity to |
| one of the busiest ports in the Caribbean, and | | | | experience over 30 pristine islands. |
| recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. A | | | | Upon my first visit to The Grenadines, I experienced |
| walking tour of Willemstad will convince you this is one | | | | the ultimate pristine paradise. The waters are truly |
| of the prettiest cities in the Caribbean. | | | | crystal clear, with hundreds of colorful tropical fish in |
| The capital city's famous landmarks is the Queen | | | | easy view just a few feet from shore. On some |
| Emma Bridge, also called the "Swinging Old Lady". It is | | | | islands, your footprints will be the only ones found in |
| the world's largest floating pedestrian bridge, and | | | | the sand. |
| opens on a regular basis to enable cruise ships and | | | | St Vincent is the largest island in the chain, and the |
| other sailing vessels to enter and exit the harbor. At | | | | location of the capital city of Kingstown. This is a |
| night the bridge is illuminated with thousands of tiny | | | | rather lively place with a colonial backdrop amid |
| fairy lights. | | | | cobblestone streets. St Vincent is the ideal spot to set |
| Curacao is home to over 50 different nationalities, | | | | sail to the Grenadines. Among the island chain, Bequia, |
| which brings a unique flavor to the language, culture | | | | Mayrou, Tabago Cays, Palm Island, Mustique, Petit St. |
| and cuisine. The islands sugar white beaches are | | | | Vincent are the most popular. |
| flanked by massive limestone bluffs rising above the | | | | Bequia, a small, picturesque seafaring town, is the |
| Caribbean Sea, and you'll find pink flamingos in the | | | | largest in the chain. For such a small island, visitors will |
| lagoons. Curacao offers 70 fine diving sites, and the | | | | be pleasantly surprised with the choice of |
| Christoffel National Park covers 4,500 acres and | | | | accommodations to fit any budget. We stayed at the |
| provides excellent hiking tours. | | | | SugarApple Inn on Friendship Bay beach, which I highly |
| Unlike other islands, Curacao offers consistent | | | | recommend. Another surprise is the variety of fine |
| accommodation pricing throughout the year - even at | | | | cuisine, and you can even find a few lively local |
| the traditional peak Caribbean tourist seasons. | | | | nightspots. |
| Curacao is outside the hurricane belt, and often | | | | Mayrou is home to only 200 residents who live high up |
| described as one of the Caribbean's best kept | | | | in the hillside. One of the unique places to visit is Salt |
| secrets. | | | | Whistle Bay where the Atlantic and Caribbean Sea is |
| 2) The tiny island of Dominica can best be described | | | | separated by just 50 yards. This is a great island |
| by one word - Green! This is the premier destination | | | | hopping spot to reach Tobago Cays, Palm Island, or |
| for eco-tourists. | | | | Petit St. Vincent by boat or charter yacht. |
| Whether you're into exotic birds, plants, dolphin/whale | | | | The Tobago Cays are a small group of 5 deserted |
| watching, diving or snorkeling, Dominica is the true | | | | islands offering a unique, pristine wildlife reserve |
| nature island of the Caribbean. Surrounded by the | | | | protected by a reef shaped in the form of a |
| Caribbean Sea, the island has 365 rivers on land - one | | | | horseshoe. Swim with the turtles, and experience |
| for every day of the year. | | | | nature at its finest. |
| The island is home to 10 active volcanoes that have | | | | Three of the islands in The Grenadines chain cater to |
| been dormant over 1000 years. The world's second | | | | the rich and famous. Petit St Vincent is famous for |
| largest boiling lake is located at Morne Trois Piton | | | | those who desire luxury and privacy. The island offers |
| National Park, a World Heritage Site. A few miles from | | | | no airport, telephone, or TV. Visitors use a small |
| the boiling lake, you come upon the Valley of | | | | colored flagpoles outside the cottages to communicate |
| Desolation, another unique, hot geothermal spot. | | | | with the staff. Palm Island is an expensive, all-inclusive |
| Trafalgar Falls and Soufriere Sulfur Springs are both | | | | private-island resort offering just 43 luxury |
| popular visitor spots to experience the soothing | | | | accommodations. Mustique, another private island |
| therapeutic water. | | | | offers seclusion in 72 luxury villas. |
| And don't think the volcanic activity is limited to land, it | | | | |