Guadeloupe looks like a butterfly: its wings, Grande Terre and Basse Terre, are separated by a channel and has some beautiful, unspoilt beaches. Grande Terre is the liveliest part, with the market of Pointe à Pitre and roads joining together picturesque villages and sugar cane plantations. Centuries of French rule don’t seem to have influenced the locals’ philosophy too much: “it’s better to avoid something than to face something”.

A magnet for yachts from many ports, tiny Tortola in the British Virgin Islands is a haven for those seeking the classic pleasures of beaches and crystal waters.

Saint Martin is part of the Leeward Islands in the Caribbean Sea. It comprises 2 separate countries, divided between its northern French side, called Saint-Martin, and its southern Dutch side, Sint Maarten. The island is home to busy resort beaches and secluded coves. It’s also known for fusion cuisine, vibrant nightlife and duty-free shops selling jewelry and liquor.

Antigua, as sweet as the sugar cane form the plantations, welcomes us in a warm embrace and giving us the opportunity to swim in its beautiful sea. We stop in the port of Antigua, an old colony where we can see the vestiges of the agricultural past of the island. Sugar is no longer the livelihood of this small nation, but you can still visit the old windmills of Fuerteventura. Take a dance class at the Shiva school of dance or catch a show of traditional dances from the Caribbean. Before the cruise resumes its course, enjoy a spectacular sunset on the beach, swim with the stingrays and admire the underwater fauna.

St. Kitts is the larger of the 2 Caribbean islands that comprise the nation of Saint Kitts and Nevis. It’s known for rainforested mountains and beaches of white, gray, and black sands. On its southwestern coast is the capital, Basseterre, and Georgian buildings from the colonial era. Anchoring Basseterre is the Circus, a plaza modeled after London’s Piccadilly Circus, complete with Victorian-style clock tower.

On the beach of Salines, you can go snorkeling with colorful fish. You will fall so in love with Martinique that you will not want to leave. The port of Martinique is located in Fort de France. It’s easily accessible as it is located only 4.97 miles from the airport. It is a busy tourist port as well as an annual destination for many cruise passengers. Once here, enjoy the beauty of the place: discover the southern beaches, particularly that of Salines, where you’ll see colorful fish. Then be enchanted by the tropical forest on Martinique, home to lush vegetation and numerous small waterfalls.

Guadeloupe looks like a butterfly: its wings, Grande Terre and Basse Terre, are separated by a channel and has some beautiful, unspoilt beaches. Grande Terre is the liveliest part, with the market of Pointe à Pitre and roads joining together picturesque villages and sugar cane plantations. Centuries of French rule don’t seem to have influenced the locals’ philosophy too much: “it’s better to avoid something than to face something”.