Antigua (and its sister isle Barbuda) is situated in the middle of the Caribbean’s Leeward Islands.
This island boasts of 365 beaches, one for every day of the year and their popular tagline is “the beach is just the beginning.”
What draws us at Caribbean Holidays to Antigua is their continuing capitalization on the superior location in the Caribbean archipelagos coupled with the effective marketing of their world-classed beaches and accommodations.
Antigua offers several arrival and accommodation choices. Being centrally located and having a runway that can facilitate the bigger sized aircrafts, Antigua is a perfect hub for arrivals from all over the world. One can see the likes of Virgin Atlantic, American Airlines, Air Canada, Delta Airlines and Continental to name a few.
Also having its own natural deep water harbor, the island is also a favorite destination for cruise liners with visitors arriving by the tens of thousands annually.
Visitors remain on the island or transfer to the neighboring islands. Antigua is also the home of LIAT, “the Caribbean airline”. It is made up of a fleet of small to medium sized propeller planes that will scoot you to the islands with relative ease. We have had a concern with LIAT’s timeliness and reliability from time to time but improvements have been noted and we have been reminded, “it’s the Caribbean – take it easy!” There is seldom a run through the airport in this region to catch a plane.
In Antigua we recommend you take your Caribbean Holidays straight to the beach and visit any of their stunning shores. We like Half-Moon Bay, Dickenson Bay and Darkwood beach in that order but of course we want you to visit all of the above and more!
We encourage you to relax; take a sip of the local brew called Widadli (the name of the island from the original Amerindian inhabitants) and partake in a fresh ocean caught whole snapper in creole sauce. You have now arrived to the Caribbean.
Apart from taking in the local sites in the main town of St. John’s Caribbean Holidays also encourages you to visit the Sticky Wicket restaurant & lounge (just a short walk from the airport) to peer into a Caribbean obsession, the fantastic game of cricket. This establishment has niched itself by honoring some past greats of the Caribbean game and they also make a nice ambiance for a fun night out with their menu. You may even be lucky to see one of the Antiguan greats of the game pop in for a quick social, make sure and tell your bartender to point them out if they come in. Ask them to tell you if Sir Vivian Richards, Richie Richardson or Curtly Ambrose come in. Careful of the rum punch though, it is the proverbial “creeper!”
Antiguans are very hospitable and they know that tourism is their main staple. In most places while on your Caribbean Holidays, you will be treated with utmost respect and courtesy. The main currency of the island is the Eastern Caribbean Dollar (EC$) and is pegged at USD$1 = EC$2.67. Rest assured, you will tend to notice value for your dollar whilst on this island fairly quickly.
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Someone spoke to one of our colleagues at Caribbean Holidays and told him “why should I go to the Caribbean? There is absolutely nothing there! Do you guys even have malls and roads?”
The question could be answered simply by a “yes” or “no” but we found it so interesting we thought we could share a few thoughts if you are planning your first Caribbean Holidays or a repeat visitor to the region.
We think there is much more to life than what has been marketed to us from a young age. We strongly believe that time is not well spent queuing from wee hours of the morning to be first to buy the latest tablet, smart phone or 3D TV. Material items are a dime a dozen when it comes to quality time with your loved one (s), easing your stress to lengthen your life and seeking fulfillment for your existence. To us this is what Caribbean Holidays represent.
Sure many of our islands have fine shopping, those latest bags, shoes, jewelry pieces and watches but you are not here for that. What you come for the Caribbean is much more than putting trinkets that you will tire of in a year or less. What you come to the Caribbean for is to discover a part of you that you never knew existed. Without trying to answer a million e-mails, tweet you’re every move, taking photos and sending via BBM to people who just glance and delete, is it worth it all? Come here for you and when you find yourself you will be able to be a better person to those around you.
In the Caribbean roads are from point A to point B, for your holidays we want it to be from the hotel to the beach and no more. No need for Bluetooth; cruise control; back seat monitors which prevent families from enjoying simple conversation talking to each other or; even air-conditioning. You are here to put that window down, feel the breeze, listen to a light tune on the radio, chatter with your companion (s) and stay worry free.
With the inevitable commercialization of tourism which has taken place in some islands over the years one can easily find those malls that keep you hidden and distracted from nature. You can choose to reside in them if you wish, but we much prefer you enjoy our outdoor malls with all the conveniences that we require. Thirsty? Why not stop on the side of the road and let a vendor cut a fresh coconut for you. Hungry? Why not have some coconut jelly until you get to a nice beach side grill serving the best sea food of your life with the ocean as your backdrop. Tired? Learn the art of hammock climbing and slide in, stretch that back and feel the warm breeze filtering through the material. Bored? Thank goodness, that means you are relaxing. Allow yourself to be bored and out is spawned positive thoughts and it refreshes you to your soul.
We at Caribbean Holidays explore the region with you, finding all those ins and outs and work with your experiences whether positive or negative to improve it for others to come.
Finally to answer the question “why should I go to the Caribbean?” we say to find you, for others to discover themselves and you and for you to conclude “who needs all that stuff? This is what life is about. See you soon.
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When you travel to the beautiful islands for your Caribbean Holidays we recommend you try the national dish of the country. Each island has its own special flavor and we at Caribbean Holidays have attempted to track as much as possible so you can be sure what to try on the menu!
Anguilla – Pigeon peas and rice.
The island caters for many different palates and at the high end restaurants this dish will not be listed. We recommend you get the true island feel and venture into the main town (The Valley) and order up this dish from the more local establishments. Nico’s is our favourite pick but you can also try The English Rose.
Barbados – Flying Fish and Cou Cou.
The flying fish is the national fish of Barbados and is prepared in a variety of ways. We find it best when the flying fish is deep fried and served with vegetables and cou cou. The cou cou is prepared by combining corn meal, flour and okra. Many restaurants serve their unique versions of this dish and have highlighted it well for the island. For the best though we like to keep it local and recommend you head down to the Oistins fish fry in the village of Oistins. The best night to go is on a Friday where you can feel the rhythm of the island through its food, music and lots of local content.
Dominica – Mountain Chicken
Passed down from the rich French culture, Mountain Chicken or frog legs is Dominica’s favourite. Locals tell you “it tastes like chicken”. This dish is prepared in a variety of ways, from deep frying, stewing or boiling and served with rice and peas or our favourite ground provisions. We like how Fort Young hotel serves this dish in its entire local splendor with a flavor that is friendly to the visitor’s tastes but many other restaurants also carry the dish and being the most popular by locals, all have its preparation down pact!
Grenada – Oil down
This dish combines ground provisions like the delicious breadfruit and dasheen, salted meat e.g. pig tail and a variety of vegetables with coconut milk and a little water to help it cook. It can be served with rice but the favourite is home-made styled dumplings. Most local restaurants serve this dish in all its glory. We recommend a stroll on the famous Grand Anse beach and look into one of the many restaurants on the strip there. Again it is tough to find where this dish will be prepared poorly by a local cook as they grew up with it.
Jamaica – Ackee and Saltfish
Served mostly at breakfast with a good helping of fried bakes (also called Johnny cakes), ground provisions or dumplings. Basically, vegetables are sautéed in butter, the salted fish is added with a generous helping of tomatoes then the Ackee fruit is incorporated. All this is combined and cooked until hot and tasty. Sprinkle some of the famous Jamaican hot sauce on it to really enjoy the flavors, but watch out, Jamaican pepper can be too hot to handle by some.
St. Kitts and Nevis – Stewed Salt fish with coconut dumplings and breadfruit
The salt fish (mostly salted cod) is stewed with tomatoes, onions, garlic, parsley, salt and pepper. The dumplings are a combination of flour, coconut, salt and oil. The breadfruit is boiled down in a broth with a host of vegetables. All of this is served on a plate of exquisite taste which will bring you back for more after a well-deserved siesta.
St. Lucia – Green figs and Salt fish pie
Green figs are a type of banana that can be boiled or stewed (we like boiled) and combined with the salt fish with some good helpings of vegetables and topped with milk and cheese to form a rich and very tasty pie. This dish is mostly served at breakfast and will certainly keep you filled for your day’s adventures.
St. Vincent and the Grenadines – Roast breadfruit with fried fish
Another delicacy of the Caribbean islands, this national dish of St. Vincent incorporates the popular breadfruit with fish (a fish called jack fish is mostly used). The breadfruit is grilled (roasted) over a pit or stovetop grill and the fish is deep fried to a lovely golden brown. Served with a nice helping of Caribbean salad this dish is a favorite by local and visitor.
Trinidad & Tobago – Pelau
Many Trinbagonians (as locals of Trinidad and Tobago are referred) may argue the national dish is doubles or roti, but no, we are sure it is pelau. It is stewed meat with rice and coconut milk that is combined and to which carrots and pigeon peas and a hot pepper is added (pig-tail is optional). The liquid is allowed to dry down and the result is a rich and tasty dish that is shared by all. A popular dish to carry to a sporting event like cricket or to a social (or “lime”).
The preceding dishes are but a sample of what is offered for your Caribbean Holidays in the area of local cuisine. Recipes for these dishes have been passed down through generations and up to now still hold the delicious flavor of long ago times. We at Caribbean Holidays encourage you to try one, some or all of these dishes on your trip to the Caribbean and we assure you that you will be back for more.
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The Caribbean is filled with a plethora of choices when it comes to food and drink. Many of us, when we think of our Caribbean Holidays we picture ourselves on that hammock or beach chair lazing the day away, consuming rich foods and sugar-filled drinks piling on the pounds. However this stereotype does not have to be a reality if you don’t want it. Sure you can have the milky drinks; spiced rums with soft drink; the rich butter filled foods or; the heavy cream entrees but you can also look at the alternatives so when you get back home a new wardrobe, exorbitant gym fees or a visit to your cardiologist will not be on the to-do lists.
In this article, we at Caribbean Holidays want to touch a little on the many fruits that grow in abundance in the Caribbean. Fruits are a healthy alternative to many fatty snacks and foods and can be easily stuck into a bag when taking a day-trip or can be consumed in the form of a cool refreshing drink.
Because of the natural climate, rich soils and diverse flora, many fruits can be found throughout the region. Here are just a few of the fruits found in the Caribbean:
Ackee; Avocado; Balata; Banana; Barbadine; Breadfruit; Caimate; Carambola; Cashew fruit; Cherry; Coconut; Date; Doung; Grapefruit; Guava; Guinep; Jackfruit; Lime; Mamisiporte; Mango; Orange; Papaya; Passion Fruit; Peewah; Pineapple; Plums; Pomegranate; Pommerac; Pumpkin; Sapodilla; Sorrel; Sour Sop; Sugar Cane; Sugar Apple; Tamarind; Tangerine; Tomato; Watermelon.
Many of these fruits are not indigenous to the Caribbean but can be enjoyed thoroughly with the twists that have been put into their preparation. Many are blended to make delicious (and we mean really delicious drinks). Part of your Caribbean Holidays has to be a trip to a weekend market where you can marvel at the fruits and vegetables and most likely pick up some nice snacks at unbelievable bargains.
Have a fruit juice with your meal. It aids in digestion and gets those vital micro-nutrients into your system. Most of these micro-nutrients are destroyed by cooking so this is a very sensible way to obtain them. Ideally the human body needs about 1 kg (2.2 lbs.) of fruit or vegetable per 50kgs (110 lbs.), so what better way to fill the gap than to consume your fruit drink?
Of course the basics should be adhered to as well. If milk is required, opt for skimmed; if sugar is an essential ask if they have alternative; if a heavy cream is the base, look down the menu, you get the drift.
At breakfast we often see hotels catering for their guests by importing apples, cantaloupes, grapes and so on. A fruit plate is often filled with things you left at your local grocer in the Americas or Europe. Insist on trying something different, try our Caribbean fruits. We at Caribbean Holidays know that there will be no regrets, enjoy yourselves, relax, be happy and be healthy.
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Your Caribbean Holidays
Caribbean Holidays are growing in popularity with some destinations, e.g. St. Lucia reporting record levels of visitors even in these times of economic meltdowns, financial woes and rising debt. How is that possible you may ask? Well we at Caribbean Holidays have put forward what we feel are just some of the many reasons.
Melting pot: The Caribbean is a crucible for culture, art and cuisine. Many cultures were brought together by different influences over the years and now live in harmony, learning from each other and sharing experiences, knowledge and skills. As a result the Caribbean is very fortunate to share festivals; art forms such as music and folk dance and; many culinary classics with influences from Africa, India, China, Syria and South America just to name a few.
The winter factor: A major pull factor is that the winters of many countries coincide with the loveliest part of the year in the Caribbean. The period ending November to just around Mid-April mark the post and pre-hurricane season respectively. It is amazing to see many parts of the Caribbean with their near perfect climates.
Beaches: The Caribbean boasts of some of the best beaches on the planet and its warm waters, thriving sea life and diving and/or snorkeling havens seem to be that proverbial “proof in the pudding”. Not the snorkeler or diving type? Why not try our deep sea fishing which is some of the best around with many annual world classics held various islands e.g. Antigua and St. Thomas just to mention a couple. If this is still not your thing, then we encourage you to bring that book that has been on your bedside table for the longest while, give us a week or less. Just go to the beach, park yourself on the soft bed of sand or beach chair and we will do the rest.
Diversity in landscape: The Flora and Fauna in the islands varies around the Caribbean. From the thick tropical rainforest type regions of Trinidad and Dominica to dry shrubbery but equally beautiful landscapes of Anguilla and Aruba, there is something for any visitor’s whim. Eco-tourism is now one of the fastest growing niche markets in the world and the concept is also popular in the Caribbean.
Service: The tourism sector is the single largest employer besides the public service in the islands and as a result a great deal of emphasis is placed on service and customer satisfaction. Tertiary institutes like the University of the West Indies open campus (U.W.I.), University of St. Martin (U.S.M.) and many hospitality institutes (e.g. Antigua and Tobago) around the region certify students before they seek work in the industry. Here the customer is indeed king.
The exchange rate factor: Currencies such as the USD (US Dollar); GBP (Great Britain Pound); CAN (Canadian Dollar) EUR (Euro) gives you very good value for the exchange rate it attracts versus the island’s currencies like the Jamaican Dollar, Eastern Caribbean Dollar, Barbadian Dollar and Trinidad & Tobago Dollar to name just a few.
Ease of transport: Flying from North, South, Central America and different parts of Europe has never been easier. Several prestigious airlines have seen the demand for the Caribbean destinations on the upsurge and have facilitated this by adding the best of their fleet to travel to many of these exotic islands. Examples of airport hubs include Antigua, St. Maarten, Barbados, and St. Lucia. From these hubs you can transfer to different islands using the various regional airlines.
Stable Governance: Though many Caribbean people are very passionate about their politics and government actions (or inactions),the Caribbean has been very stable politically over the years. A few instances of strife has reared its heads over the years e.g. in Trinidad (1990) and Grenada (1983), but generally any instability has been non-existent. Visitors can visit without worry that tomorrow army tanks and curfews would be in place; lots of our islands do not even have armies or even police carrying arms!
Caribbean stress does not exist: Visitors are mesmerized by the islands that seem to be held in time when stress was not in the dictionary. The laid back attitudes of locals taking their time and “feeling the breeze” even on the odd occasion it is not blowing sometimes annoys first-time visitors. But many are soon converted and convinced of what is importance in life.
See if any of these fit your profile:
• You are indispensable and the office needs you to be in constant communication 24/7;
• You have to be latched on to social media to learn what your friends are up to always;
• Just hearing an e-mail or text buzzing in or hearing a phone ringing send up your blood pressure;
• You cannot be bored, must always be doing something;
• A family meal consists of dad checking his e-mail on his mobile, daughter texting, son’s eyes stuck in a hand-held game and mom on laptop. Yes mom did not get away from us either!
If you fit any one or more than one of the above then you need to visit the region for your Caribbean Holidays No one is indispensable; you can have a thousand acquaintances on social media but no friends; we will insist you switch off that stupid phone, be it smart, not so smart or basic; if you can’t allow yourself to be bored then you really need to wind down and; there is nothing in life than quality family time.
We at Caribbean Holidays hope we have covered some of the main reasons for Caribbean travel and look forward to serving you in the very near future.
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If you are stumped for ideas about a luxury holiday this year, why not take a look at some destinations in the Caribbean? Due to increases in air passenger duty, many travel agencies are now discounting holiday prices to the Caribbean islands and so you can pick up a holiday in a fantastic destination when it may otherwise have been beyond your reach financially.
The Caribbean boasts a range of diverse islands that all enjoy the wonderful sun and crystal clear waters off their coasts, so you can soak up the atmosphere of the unique islands and still enjoy the weather no matter where you go. Antigua holidays are great for the sailing enthusiast: the British Navy first used the island as a base for its Caribbean squadron and it still holds international regattas throughout the year. Many of the Antigua islanders are no mean sailors either, and if you fancy taking an excursion through the reefs to do a spot of fishing or scuba diving, there will be several boats willing to take you out by the docks.
For those that want to get some serious relaxation time in their holiday, then look no further than Jamaica. Having suffered from some political upheaval in the capital recently, the island is now returning to it’s natural state of taking things easy! Jamaica holidays will give you a chance to sample the rich flavour of the island’s African heritage, which is probably the strongest out of all the Caribbean islands. It’s also a great place if you’re a fan of reggae or any other of the musical forms that have been pioneered by Jamaican ex-pats across the world.
One of the other popular destinations is Barbados. This islands has the mildest weather as its location means that most of the seasonal hurricanes miss the island completely, meaning you can get a holiday at a less expensive time of year and still be assured of getting good weather. Another favourite spot is St Lucia, frequently a choice for Caribbean holidays, with a long-standing reputation for being a paradise resort for couples and those just going on a honeymoon. There are plenty of romantic resort locations for couples, and all-inclusive options if you have families with you on holiday too.
If you are looking for something to spice up you interest in a lovely Caribbean beach holiday, you have only to look no further than the history of the islands to get all the drama and excitement you need. It seems a million miles away from the relaxed and friendly islands we use as a resort these days, but the Caribbean was once the base for pirate bases, slave revolts and vicious battles between European powers.
Caribbean holidays today bear much of the romance and none of the trouble that first attracted settlers and buccaneers to the area. Once used by Spanish treasure ships on their way back from the New World, the wrecks of several galleons can be found off the coasts of many of the islands, and prospecting for treasure that uncharted wrecks may still contain is possibly as fervent and full of intrigue as fabled treasure maps were in the old pirate days! For the less adventurous, you can take a dive tour that will show some of the famous wrecks by scuba gear.
Barbados holidays are now seen as an luxury destination, but they weren’t always regarded as somewhere nice to go! In the seventeenth century, Barbados cemented its usefulness to Europe by being one of the major sugar cane producers, but the plantation owner could never get enough slaves and workers to harvest enough cane to keep up with demand. As a result criminals were often transported to the plantations, and more than a few unsuspecting souls were kidnapped by unscrupulous traders and found themselves put to work on the harvest. These European “red legs” were housed in caves neat St Martin’s River which you can still visit today.
Residents of Antigua still proudly uphold the maritime tradition that made their island famous as a key stronghold of British naval power in the area, spearheaded by Lord Nelson. Nelson’s base and the dockyards that supported his ships are now a national park you can visit, and added to this Antigua holidays can coincide with any number of sailing and yachting events that are held throughout the year. An annual fixture in the world yachting agenda, you can see many of the local fisherman demonstrating equally adept skills and you can hire a craft to show off your own abilities.
There was a time when “Pirates of the Caribbean” had no allusions of comedy or children’s entertainment. Perhaps it’s because so many millions visit the Caribbean to enjoy the calm and peaceful atmosphere that its turbulent past seems so out of character with the place we know today.
Caribbean holidays are usually centred around a nice relaxing time on the beach or enjoying the clear waters surrounding the islands. This is fine for most, but if you fancy really delving into the history of the islands, there is a whole holiday’s worth of information that you can explore and discover during your stay.
Antigua holidays offer the chance of getting an understanding of the marine tradition that still persists, nearly some three hundred years after the British recognised it as a major tactical location in the Caribbean. The site of the most important base on the Caribbean, Nelson’s Dockyard, is still preserved in what’s known as English Harbour, and is a national park dedicated to the great age of sail. Right up to the present day, Antigua preserves its maritime tradition and still hosts a number of prestigious sailing events throughout the year.
St Lucia holidays allow you to explore another one of the more interesting Caribbean islands. Changing hands between British and French 14 times during the seventeenth century, the island still retains a major role in the banana business and even has a dive-in volcano that you can visit. Whilst the navies of England and France were busy fighting eachother, this left the waters unpoliced for the likes of pirates and buccaneers to terrorise shipping and local ports. Originating as privateers, captains were given political license to attack ships by countries chiefly opposed to the Spanish Empire, stealing gold from treasure flotillas and sacking Spanish ports and towns in the area. By the 17th and 18th Centuries, constant war in Europe and an influx of mercenaries led to the thriving economy of the area being preyed upon by successful and well-armed pirates, a much softer target than any of the battles happening between England, France, Germany, Holland and Spain.
Having been thoroughly fed up with the cold, snowy weather, I’ve vowed that next year I am going somewhere sunny and warm for a holiday. The unreliable climate over here means that half the winter holidaymakers started, and possibly finished, their holiday on an airport floor, so I’m taking no chances and making sure that I have a good, long summer break next year.
Orlando holidays provide a great range of options for a tourist as there are lots of attractions in that area. Disney World is the most popular choice, especially for those with children who will run you ragged as they drag you around the four theme parks and resort entertainments in the hotels. As well as Disney, there are other theme parks that offer tours and attractions in addition to white-knuckle roller coaster rides.
The recent travel disruption may make you nervous about flights to Orlando , but in the spring & summer months they tend to run like clockwork, and even during the winter snow many of the major airlines are still able to get a scheduled service running. Once you are airborne, there will be no shortage of potential US airports to land at, so you are assured of being able to touch down and transfer to your location to start your vacation. The added bonus is that Florida is usually nice and warm, even in the winter months, so once you arrive you can forget about the snow and ice and get your shorts ready.
If you want to try something different, then a fly drive will let you explore to your heart’s content, taking in the Florida keys or the nightlife in Miami. For the really adventurous, you could spend a few days seeing the sights in Florida, then book a cruise or a flight, turning quick Orlando breaks into luxury holidays Caribbean style, with cruises around the Caribbean islands such as Antigua, Barbados or Bermuda. Florida gives you an ideal start and end point to a supplementary trip, so with your tan topped up and your tourist list checked, you can return to the grey and cold UK with enough memories to get you through to next year.
For fans of sunshine (and who isn’t?) then there are some places that you should be definitely looking at for 2011. A warm summer holiday for next year is the perfect way to banish memories of the ghastly winter we are having. Many travel agents are still trying to fill flight and hotel vacancies, so if you are prepared to shop around, you can really find yourself a good bargain.
Orlando holidays never cease to be popular. With Walt Disney World, Universal Studios and SeaWorld, your sunny holiday in Florida can go hand-in-hand with an action-packed exploration of some of the world’s largest theme parks. It can be exhausting trying to see everything that the theme parks have on offer, so if you need to rest and recharge your batteries, you have the perfect excuse to try out some of the excellent sports, leisure and spa facilities offered at the resort location hotels and villas.
Another thing you can do to extend your holiday whilst you are in the Gulf Coast are is a tour of the Caribbean. Only a short cruise or flight from Florida or Miami, you can arrange you extra holiday details well in advance and have something else to look forward to you for your summer extravaganza. Although Caribbean holidays are always a faithful choice for getting the most out of the sun, the spectacular scenery afforded by the islands with their platinum beaches and clear blue skies are a great option too if you want to plan a romantic location for a wedding or honeymoon. The flourishing sea life around the islands shores give plenty of opportunities for scuba and snorkel divers to come face-to-mask with some of the area’s more colourful inhabitants.
Perhaps you prefer to spend more time exploring the sunny USA? In that case, Las Vegas holidays can make a spectacular and fitting end to a US holiday. Ideally suited for the fly drive holidaymaker, you can get suggested routes from your tour operator or plan your own with the freedom to choose any stopover point you like. When you arrive, you can see the world-famous hotels and dancing fountains, visit some of the famous attractions along the Strip and perhaps even chance a few dollars in one of the casinos. But remember the house always wins!
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