10 reasons to visit the Caribbean this winter
Escape winter’s dreary skies and frosty nights by heading to warm seas and soft sand. Here are some of the top spots for island time.
Warm front
If you listen carefully, you may be able to hear the click of a thousand umbrellas being put away – and the sound of an equal number of parasols being opened. The noises are identical but they mean just one thing – now that December is here, the Caribbean has washed hurricane season right out of its hair and has sent itself on its way to the beach in its favourite pair of flip-flops. It invites you to follow its lead as well. For there is no better antidote to the British winter than a week on a sunny island 4,000 miles west. Like, say, Antigua, where seven all-inclusive nights in January at the four-star Verandah Resort & Spa cost from ￡1,809pp, with flights, via tropicalsky.co.uk.
Havana ball
Next year will be an opportune time to visit Cuba, the Caribbean’s biggest island, as its capital, Havana, is celebrating its 500th birthday (see travel2cuba.co.uk). This is bound to be a quiet, restrained affair, with absolutely no dancing. But in case it isn’t, you should consider booking a 12-day Splendours of Cuba holiday from ￡2,095pp including flights, with coxandkings.co.uk.
San Andres's fault
This is pantomime season, so let’s play. Colombia is a Caribbean country. Oh no it isn’t. Oh yes it is. Proof exists in the 18-day Undiscovered Colombia tour offered by Journey Latin America. Not only does it venture to seafront city Cartagena, but it also jumps to San Andrés, an islet in those sparkling waters. From ￡4,401pp, flights extra; journeylatinamerica.co.uk.
Trunk call
Everyone knows the Caribbean is a place for holidays of wild extravagance. It’s Mick Jagger and Dicky Branson spraying champagne around. Probably. Let’s spend some serious dough. A week at Valley Trunk, a private estate in the British Virgin Islands, costs from ￡11,500pp, with flights, in peak season; scottdunn.com.
Sugar rush
Caribbean indolence is available in utterly glorious fashion on the west coast of St Lucia, where the twin Pitons rise majestically – but do so next to the resorts of Soufrière, so you don’t even have to move from your lounger to admire them. One week’s sojourn in January at the Sugar Beach retreat starts at ￡3,545pp, with flights; kuoni.co.uk.
Giddy up
You don’t have to spend your whole trip on a beach. If you go to Barbados, for example, you can go to the gee-gees (barbadosturfclub.org; from B$10/￡4). A week in January at chic resort The House, with flights, starts at ￡2,699pp; turquoiseholidays.co.uk.
Howzat?
Generally, running around under the Caribbean sun is a silly idea. But don’t tell the England cricket team because they’re going to have to do it anyway – playing three Tests against the West Indies in January and February. The first will be held in Barbados (Jan 23-27). Gullivers Sports Travel still has seven-night options that include tickets for all five days’ action, plus hotels and flights, from ￡2,699pp; gulliverstravel.co.uk.
Afternoon tee
If you insist on indulging in sport, golf is perhaps best – effectively a nice walk where you occasionally hit a tiny ball with a stick. Where? The Dominican Republic, of course. Seven nights at Casa de Campo, including flights, breakfast and five rounds, costs from ￡1,935pp; yourgolftravel.com.
Castara away
So, you don’t go to the Caribbean for sport but to toast yourself a nice shade of walnut? A good decision. Point yourself towards the north coast of Tobago, which has some of the region’s loveliest bays – and, in Castara Retreats, a fine base from which to explore them. A seven-night stay, arriving on Jan 13, costs from ￡438pp; castararetreats.com.
Come back
Dominica (discoverdominica.com) endured a miserable 2017 thanks to Hurricane Maria, but is inching back to life – and is open to tourists who know that the cost of their holiday will aid the recovery effort. You can book a 10-day Nature Holiday that focuses on the island’s rainforested glory, from ￡1,995pp with flights; responsibletravel.com.