Numerous Islands and Numerous Choices: The Antilles

The Caribbean Islands are also called the Antilles. The Antilles have been European’s gate to the new world. if you’re not only interested in the unique natural beauty‚ but also in the history and culture of the Caribbean‚ Santo Domingo‚ the first permanent colonial settlement –founded in 1496-‚ is a good starting point to discover the region. Santo Domingo is the capital city of the Dominican Republic and the most crowded city of the Caribbean‚ with more than 3 million inhabitants. The city is listed among UNESCO world heritage sites. Dominican Republic shares the Hispaniola Island with Haiti to the west‚ and faces another island republic‚ Puerto Rico‚ to the east.
In addition to the numerous alternatives offered by the central island‚ you must visit Culebra and Vieques of the Spanish Virgin Islands in your sea holiday. The Flamenco Beach on Culebra always finds a place on the world’s best beaches list.
Sailing further east from Culebra and Vieques‚ we reach the Virgin Islands of the United States and the British Virgin Islands respectively. Almost as popular as the British Virgin Islands‚ Sint Maarten/Saint Martin is the world’s smallest piece of land shared between two countries. Though it’s small‚ the island has thirty-seven beaches. Those on the southern side of the island‚ belonging to the Netherlands‚ host lively parties‚ while you can calmly sunbathe on the beaches in the French side. To the southeast‚ very close to Sint Maarten‚ lies St. Barthelemy Island‚ another offshore territory of France. Also called St. Barts‚ the island has boutiques of famous designers and many gourmet restaurants for those looking for a chic and elegant vacation. To the east of St. Barts there come Antigua and Barbuda‚ a tiny country made up of two islands. Antigua exactly has 365 beaches: a different one for each day of the year for those who love to swim and sunbathe.