Saint Vincent and the Grenadines is a country of 32 beautiful Caribbean islands in the idyllic Caribbean, stretching south from Saint Vincent Island to Grenada. Proud of its French and British colonial history, it is now part of the Commonwealth of Nations and CARICOM.

Bequia, pronounced "Beck-way”, is blessed with white sandy beaches, coral reefs, and friendly people. Port Elizabeth is a bustling yachting town. Enjoy yachting, scuba diving and snorkelling over coral reefs. Restaurants on Bequia tend to be small, friendly local enterprises. Try “goat water” soup, Bitter Lemon a popular soda and Hairoun the local brew.

The island of St. Vincent, originally named Hairouna by the native Caribs, is relatively small, and its mountainous landscape makes getting around a challenge. Its capital is Kingstown and also its main port.

Follow the Vermont Nature Trail and experience the spectacle of more than 500 parrots in flight. Numerous endemic species make this trail their home. Take a stroll along a scenic coastal path and take pleasure in the numerous waterfalls or hike to Fort Charlotte and be amazed by the views. Challenge yourself by a climbing the Soufriere volcano.

Located on the east coast of Belize at the mouth of the Belize River, Belize City sits on a peninsula jutting into the Caribbean Sea. As the nation's main port, the city is a hub for cruise ships and is often a jumping-off spot for excursions to other parts of Belize, including the Cayo District's caves and Maya archaeological sites along the Macal and Belize rivers. Belize City boasts the only manual swing bridge in the world and the oldest Anglican cathedral in Central America.

U.S. citizens still need to jump through a few hoops to visit Cuba, but as visitors from around the world know, this island offers some amazing opportunities for cultural exchange. Havana is a mix of old-world architecture and of-the-moment culture. Head out of the capital city to the small town of Trinidad to see more Spanish colonial architecture. It’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a fantastic home base for a visit to the Valley of the Sugar Mills, a pocket of land that formerly served as the centre of Cuba’s sugar industry.

There are no two identical Bahamas holidays. With options as diverse as its 700 islands, the Bahamas may seem schizophrenic: is it a family destination, a place for lovers to sneak away, a gambling mecca, a cruise-afficianado’s chief port of call or a shopper’s world market? The answer is, yes. It’s that, too.

Stretching 126 miles south towards Cuba, the stunning Keys are a perfect escape. Highlights along the way include Key Largo, Islamorada, Marathon, Big Pine Key and the irrepressible Key West. Come face to face with an amazing array of fish while snorkelling, diving or fishing in the warm turquoise waters. Creeks, coral and costumed shows are other lures along the way. Highway 1 is a spectacular ribbon tying together the islands and atolls of this paradise between the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic.