Capturing the Beauty of the Caribbean

Postcard Perfect

Stepping foot on any Caribbean Island reveals that the region is endowed by nature. The sand is white, the ocean is vividly blue, and the palm trees are picture-perfect. However, there is beauty to be discovered in the colorful capitals, as well as the verdant mountains that rise from the sea, filled with birds, and the surprisingly austere volcanic innards of some of the islands. These are the most attractive sites to see in this stunning area

The Pitons, St Lucia

St Lucia's UNESCO World Heritage-listed Pitons, two triangular volcanic plugs covered in lush flora, rise dramatically from the Caribbean Sea in the island's southwest corner. Gros Piton is somewhat taller at 2,530 feet (771m), while Petit Piton comes just behind at 2,438 feet (743m). Together, they provide an ideal background for your St Lucian vacation, whether from the beach, a sailing boat, or the pool at hotels like Stonefield Resort. Alternatively, explore the well-marked routes of Gros Piton to witness its amazing splendor up close.

Barbuda, Antigua and Barbuda

Robert De Niro was so taken by the infinite white sands of Princess Diana Beach in Barbuda that he urged the skipper of his boat to drop anchor so he could wade in. Now he's erected a Nobu restaurant, the pinnacle of barefoot luxury. There's an equally stunning and desolate pink-sand beach, a spectacular lagoon that hosts the world's largest gathering of frigate birds, and a wild Atlantic coastline dotted with caves that previously housed runaway slaves. Barbuda is full of surprises, the most notable of which being its relative lack of popularity.

The Baths, Virgin Gorda, British Virgin Islands

The massive granite boulders in a tumbling pile at The Baths on Virgin Gorda, which are 40 feet (12 meters) tall, are one of the Caribbean's most unusual views. They also form a maze of tunnels, corridors, and pools that are enjoyable to explore and a delightful route to get to the white beaches of Devil's Bay on the other side. Take in the mystical ambiance of the famed Cathedral Room, a pool of crystal-clear water in a cavernous room lit by light that seeps through the fissures where the massive rocks meet.

Terre-de-Haut, Guadeloupe

Terre-de-Haut Island is the easternmost island in the Iles des Saintes, which are part of the Guadeloupe archipelago. It is the most cosmopolitan of Guadeloupe's outer islands, popular with sailors and divers alike, and at times resembles a particularly laid-back slice of southern France. Explore the tiny roads and colorful wooden buildings of Terre-de-Haut. Cycle to the stunning beaches of Pain de Sucre, Bois Joli, and Pompierre. Dive into the island's pristine, pure seas, which are noted for their abundance of marine life.

Grace Bay, Providenciales, Turks and Caicos

Grace Bay Beach, located on Providenciales' northeast shore, is possibly the most picturesque of them all. Its fine white sand and turquoise waves have earned it first or second place in TripAdvisor's World's Best Beaches awards for the past decade. Approaching the beach via one of its wooden pathways feels magical, as the beautiful Caribbean panorama unfolds before you like a movie set. There are no pebbles or algae, and a mile offshore, a barrier reef keeps the water tranquil and motionless. Perfection.

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Morne Trois Pitons National Park, Dominica

Gorgeous, green. Dominica is dubbed the 'natural island' in the Caribbean. It is the most heavily wooded island in the Lesser Antilles, with the stunning UNESCO-designated Morne Trois Pitons National Park conserving around 17,000 acres of rainforest, montane forest, and elfin woods. The main attraction, however, is volcanoes. The Valley of Desolation, in particular, is an austerely stunning environment of steaming fumaroles, waterfalls, and boiling mud, with a thin crust of rocks and boulders dyed with strange colors by the chemicals.

St Nicholas Abbey, Barbados

Benjamin Berringer erected the home at St Nicholas Abbey in 1658, and it is one of just three Jacobean-style palaces that exist in the Western Hemisphere. Despite its name, this imposing 350-year-old structure was never affiliated with a church. Instead, it was used as a plantation home during one of the island's worst times of sugar plantations and slavery. It is now an exquisitely renovated museum and rum distillery operated by Larry Warren, a local Bajan architect.

Gustavia, St Barts

Gustavia is the capital of St Barts and is often recognized as the most fashionable town in the Caribbean. It has the looks: wooden, red-roofed buildings encircle a beautiful U-shaped harbor, with splashes of emerald flora providing an urban setting. Visitors may wander through expensive stores and art galleries, eat at sophisticated restaurants, and experience the vibrant nightlife. Those interested in history can explore the remnants of Fort Gustav and Fort Karl, visit the Wall House Museum, or see Vieux Clocher, Gustavia's oldest structure.