21 nætter fra Bridgetown, Barbados med Seabourn Ovation

Barbados has retained many of the trappings of its British colonial heritage. Judges and barristers wear proper robes and wigs, police don helmets styled after London bobbies and cricket remains a national passion. Barbados also has all the sporting appeal of the rest of the Caribbean, with pristine beaches, powerful surf and crystal clear waters. Brightly colored homes and hibiscus flowers mingle with mahogany trees and English churches dating back to the 17th century.

Port Elizabeth, der ligger på den smukke ø Bequia i det sydlige Caribien, byder velkommen med en charmerende havnefront, naturlig skønhed og århundreder af historie at dykke ned i. Besøg Saint Vincent Botanical Gardens – de ældste botaniske haver i den vestlige hemisfære, ligesom du også kan besøge The Nicholas Wildlife Aviary Complex. Nyd et par afslappende timer i blødt, gyldent sand ved Princess Margaret Beach og udforsk Hamilton Fort, der blev bygget af franskmændene i den sene del af det 18. århundrede.

The Caribbean’s verdant “Nature Island” has resolved not to succumb to the high-rise hotels and casino culture that predominate on some other islands. The tiny nation is determined to thrive on its natural resources, which are many and attractive. Water is one, and the island does export delicious mineral water throughout the area. There are also thermal springs and a “boiling lake,” as well as lovely waterfalls. Citrus fruits such as grapefruit are another export. The island is the source of Rose’s Lime Juice, a requisite of the perfect gimlet cocktail. Fragrant bay rum, distilled from native trees, is a handmade commodity much prized on the global market. Visit the peaceful Botanical Gardens, or ascend Morne Bruce for a stunning view over the town, the harbor and the sea beyond.

Basseterre ligger på sydkysten af øen St. Kitts. På havnefronten finder man den hvælvede bygning fra kolonial tiden da høsten af sukkerrør havde meget stor betydning. Man kan stadig se spor fra den franske kolonitid, men det er den britiske fortid der er mest synlig.

Den hollandske indflydelse hænger stadig ved Aruba, idet øen var en del af de Hollandske Antiller indtil uafhængigheden i 1986. Denne milde caribiske ø er i sandhed ø af kontraster. Dens tørre indre er fyldt med kaktusser og vindblæste divi-divi-træer, mens afsides bugter og sandstrande former dens kyst. Arubas lange og farverige arv reflekteres i dens dialekt, der kaldes Papiamento og er en kombination af spansk, fransk, portugisisk, hollandsk, afrikansk og engelsk.

Delightful Willemstad is the capital of the five-island Netherlands Antilles, which in turn are part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. Gabled buildings bring to mind Dutch cities, while working windmills dot the countryside, helping to provide the island with much-needed fresh water. Two bridges connect Otrobanda and Punda, the city’s two halves. The Queen Emma Pontoon Bridge, now exclusively a foot bridge, was built in 1888. The imposing Queen Juliana Bridge arches over the channel, providing the link for motor vehicles. Shoppers will find no shortage of temptations here, while those so inclined will find excellent scuba diving opportunities.

Discovered in 1499 by an expedition led by Amerigo Vespucci, Bonaire has quite a varied history. Indian drawings, which can be seen today in several places, depict life and events which took place centuries before the island’s discovery by Europeans. The Spanish colonization lasted for little more than a century, ending in 1634, when the Dutch from Curaccao arrived to occupy Bonaire during their war against Spain. In 1636, Bonaire became a Dutch colony. Salt production, corn and stock breeding were developed as major economic elements. Today, the island’s economy depends largely on tourism. A friendly ‘bon bini’ from the locals greets you during your visit ashore. Enjoy a stroll through Kralendijk, past the fish market, duty-free shops of Breedestraat, the waterfront promenade and the quaint toy-like houses exemplifying the Dutch colonial architecture.

Trinidad’s “little sister” Tobago welcomes you with a lovely fishing village set on a curve of beach on Man-o-war Bay. The town was founded in 1633, to serve the area’s slavery-enabled sugar production. Today fishing is the main business. Even by Caribbean standards, it is a sleepy place, where most visitors arrive to bask in the laid-back atmosphere, and swim, snorkel or dive in the surrounding waters. Nearby Pirate’s Bay is considered one of the Caribbean’s prettiest beaches, accessible by a long-sloping stairway or by boat. Speyside down the coast give access to the bird sanctuary of Little Tobago island just offshore. With luck, you may be treated to a musical performance by the local Tamboo band, who make music by banging lengths of bamboo on the ground, a relic of the slavery era. Otherwise, join the locals for “liming” (chatting) and enjoying fresh seafood, and stuffed rotis including the “Buss Up Shut” so named because the torn roti resembles a “busted up shirt.”

Barbados has retained many of the trappings of its British colonial heritage. Judges and barristers wear proper robes and wigs, police don helmets styled after London bobbies and cricket remains a national passion. Barbados also has all the sporting appeal of the rest of the Caribbean, with pristine beaches, powerful surf and crystal clear waters. Brightly colored homes and hibiscus flowers mingle with mahogany trees and English churches dating back to the 17th century.

Castries er hovedstaden på øen, Saint Lucia. Landskabet indbyder med frodige grønne bjerge, tæt regnskov og bløde sandstrande. Gaderne i Castries er fulde af liv og farver, akkurat som bondekonerne, der kommer iklædt nationaldragter for at sælge eksotiske frugter og grøntsager. Et sandt mekka for friluftsentusiaster med blomstrende koralrev og regnskovsreservater. Udforsk verdens eneste drive-in vulkankrater ved Sulphur Springs eller besøg Diamond Botanical Garden.

St. John’s er hovedstaden på Antigua. Byen er en fascinerende labyrint af trange gader og stræder, som strækker sig fra det travle havneområde med spændende barer og caféer op til de sølvglitrende spir på St. John’s katedral.Strandene er lækre, med en kombination af det fineste, hvide sand omringet af azurblå hav og den varmende sol. Snorkl blandt smukke koralrev og farverige fisk, oplev en betagende udsigt fra Shirley Heights eller besøg Sea View Farm Village, hvor du kan købe lokal keramik.

Tucked beside a lovely cove on the French side of this Dutch/French island, Marigot’s streets are lined with boutiques and shops displaying the filigree ironwork and striped awnings of a Riviera village. In the shops, imported Gallic goods tempt you to sample everything from cheeses and cornichons to the latest fashions. Across the island, Dutch Philipsburg is a famous duty-free bazaar, and offers activities including a sailing race aboard real 12-meter America’s Cup yachts.

Basseterre ligger på sydkysten af øen St. Kitts. På havnefronten finder man den hvælvede bygning fra kolonial tiden da høsten af sukkerrør havde meget stor betydning. Man kan stadig se spor fra den franske kolonitid, men det er den britiske fortid der er mest synlig.

Terre-de-Haut ligger i den franske region Guadeloupe i Caribien. Her kan du nyde solen og vandet på den smukke strand Plage de Pompierre, spise på de lokale caféer og udforske Fort Napoléon, som i dag er et museum for øens historie.

Fort-de-France, Martinique’s capital, with its narrow streets and iron grill-worked balconies, brings to mind New Orleans or Nice. This distinctly French island is a full-fledged department of France, with members in parliament and the senate. Naturally, everyone speaks French, as well as a rapid-fire Creole. The island features a varied landscape, from quiet beaches to lush rain forest to imposing Mont Pelee. Not surprisingly, the shopping in Fort-de-France has a decidedly Gallic flair. Bienvenue to this bit of France in the Caribbean.

The port facility known as Kings Wharf is actually the revitalized Royal Navy Dockyard of Bermuda in Sandy’s Parish. The facility was first developed in 1809, after the British lost their mainland docking rights in the American Revolution. After the two World Wars, with the British and Americans allied, there was no need for a Royal Navy base, and the facility was closed. Today it is the main cruise ship port for the island. It has many attractions for visitors, including the Bermuda National Museum and many galleries, shops, restaurants and etc. There are a number of beaches nearby, including the famous Sea Glass Beach. The port is also the start point for tours of other Bermuda highlights such as Hamilton, St. George’s and the beaches.

Barbados has retained many of the trappings of its British colonial heritage. Judges and barristers wear proper robes and wigs, police don helmets styled after London bobbies and cricket remains a national passion. Barbados also has all the sporting appeal of the rest of the Caribbean, with pristine beaches, powerful surf and crystal clear waters. Brightly colored homes and hibiscus flowers mingle with mahogany trees and English churches dating back to the 17th century.