Star Clippers: Royal Clipper

The skyline of St. John's, the capital and largest city of Antigua and Barbuda, is dominated by the magnificently evocative white baroque towers of St. John's Cathedral. Built in 1845, the church is now in its third incarnation, as earthquakes in 1683 and in 1745 destroyed the previous structures. The towers are the first sight of Antigua for about half of the island's visitors each year, many of whom arrive by boat. St. John's is a lively hub for shopping and dining.

Dominica's majestic, mountainous landscape towers above the two oceans surrounding the island: the ruggedly beautiful Atlantic to the east and the calm and romantic Caribbean on the west.

The charming and very French island of Martinique offers the serenity of secluded beaches and uncrowded dive sights. There's excellent shopping and sightseeing in the historic port capital, Fort-de-France. Travel up the coast past fishing villages, including one where Columbus landed. Visit St. Pierre and the ruins of the city that was destroyed when Mt. Pelee exploded in 1906.

A lively blend of French and English cultures, St. George's has steep hills to climb, spectacular views to photograph and a rum distillery to tour. St George's has one of the prettiest harbour settings in the Caribbean. Tourist infrastructure is still generally small-scale and locally owned and offers a good balance between comfort and price, making Grenada a great getaway for those who want to avoid the resort experience.

Made up of five small, uninhabited islands, Tobago Cays is a popular destination for anchoring cruise ships and yachts. Located in the Southern Grenadines, the archipelago is also the site of the Tobago Cays Marine Park, consisting of a large sand-bottomed lagoon and the vibrant Horseshoe Reef. The clear, warm waters and diverse marine life in the surrounding area, make Tobago Cays an excellent destination for travelers interested in diving, snorkeling and sport fishing.

The bay is only a short distance from the Saint Lucian National Marine Reserve and can be entered on a guided tour. The bay is surrounded on three sides by steep, emerald-colored hills, and you can spend your days swimming, snorkeling, exploring the rainforest, or diving on an offshore reef.

Soufriere is a town and port on the east coast of St Lucia. Mountainous St Lucia's tapestry of lush hillslopes and plantation-filled valleys lend an exotic backdrop to the brightly-painted buildings of this small fishing community dominated by one of the Caribbean's most photographed landmarks, the volcanic coneshaped peaks of the Pitons rearing vertically skywards from the sea. Explore the steaming crater of what is billed as the world's only 'drive-in' volcano and test Soufriere's hot sulphur baths amid the rainforest. Further sights are to be seen at Diamond Falls and Mineral Baths where you can walk the gardens and take a dip in the pool under the waterfalls - and don’t forget those unspoiled golden beaches.

Suggested Private Excursions

St. Lucia - Gros Piton Climb

The island’s capital, Bridgetown, is one of the Caribbean's major free ports, bustling with activity. Trafalgar Square features the monument to Horatio Nelson. Facing the square are handsome structures of the House of Assembly and the Legislative buildings. George Washington worshipped at St. Michael’s Cathedral during the only trip he made outside of the United States. Housed in former British military prison buildings, the Barbados Museum is divided into various galleries that feature exhibits depicting the history of Barbados from the pre-Columbian period to modern times.
Built in 1816, Gun Hill Signal Station is the finest of several signal stations on the island. The white limestone lion behind the garrison is a well-known landmark. Barbados boasts excellent golf courses. A wide range of watersports is available at hotels and special watersports centers.