Once the haunt of pirates and privateers, the Caribbean has a colourful and chequered history with an enduring image of sundrenched whitesand beaches, shipwrecks and buried treasure. Today that tempestuous past has given way to a dazzling mixture of cosmopolitan élan and island exuberance where excellence is the by-word for hospitality.

With cultural influences ranging from European to African and American, each island has its own unique identity and the choice of cuisine is as exciting and varied as you might expect, from fresh, spicy island dishes to haute cuisine.

Something all islands have in common is the wonderful weather - even when it's wet it's warm and temperatures rarely drop below 70?F. Naturally, every island offers an excellent range of watersports, but if you don't fancy getting wet, there are plenty of other activities such as golf, tennis and horseriding. There are also a whole host of natural and historical sights to see around the islands - each one has its own particular attractions.

With the range of locations the Caribbean has on offer, you can have an action-packed holiday with a very lively nightlife full of casinos, discos and live music bars, or you can just as easily find a quiet and peaceful retreat far from the hustle and bustle of the world.