- Antigua boasts 365 stunning beaches and Barbuda is a boat ride away
- Maintains authentic Caribbean charm and offers wonderful deals for holidays
- This near-deserted paradise was a holiday favourite of Princess Diana
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Unlike its neighbouring island of Barbados, Antigua is much less besieged by celebrities wanting to be photographed, meaning it has actually been slightly much less ‘Westernised’ and maintains a more authentic Caribbean charm.
It boasts everything anyone looking for an island paradise could chance for; lush green palm trees, near perfect weather, and enough white sand beaches so you can easily visit a different one for each day of the year.
This is why it is the hideaway for much less publicity hungry celebrities such as Robert De Niro and Eric Clapton, and was one of Princess Diana’s favourite places to vacation.
The stunning Coco’s beach at St James Club which has actually a good breeze and tends to be emptier
Mamora beach (left) has actually calmer waters – helpful for swimming- as well as being the base for the water sports and activities, including day-to-day beach volleyball suits (right)
The mouth-watering lobster Thermidor Katy had at Piccolo Mono – the resort’s luxury Italian restaurant
However, like I suppose lots of visiting Antigua and its sister island Barbuda, my boyfriend and I knew relatively little about this little Caribbean gem when we headed out at the beginning of January – which is the start of high season there.
TOP TIP:Take US dollars
The official currency is the East Caribbean Dollar, Yet not only is the US dollar accepted literally everywhere yet all prices are given in US dollars and it is annoying attempting to make the conversion all the time.
Staying in the fabulous, and sprawling, St James Club and Villas did make it difficult to leave and actually explore the island though.
This all inclusive resort manages the seemingly impossible combination of making a large resort (it has actually two stunning beaches and four bistros ranging from chic gourmet dining to chilled-out beach spot) feel intimate and personal.
Never once did we struggle to discover an isolated patch of beach (we shunned the several pools) or empty loungers on either the Mamora beach, which is round a cove, meaning the sea is dead calm, and is residence to the amazing water sports, or on Coco’s beach, which tends to be emptier due to the slightly rougher seas and the bit of sea weed that washes up.
A day spent on St James’s fairly own catamaran – which leaves from the dock on Mamora bay- is surely worth doing at least once (watch out for Kimmy’s delicious rum punch though!)
The view when you stop for snorkelling on the catamaran trip is almost as good as the one under the water
Both beaches have actually perfect white sand and both have actually meals available (a big plus in our book!) On Mamora beach delicious hot dogs, chicken and hamburgers are available at the Beach Grill along along with the seriously good rum punch, beer, wine and soft drinks.
Situated at the end of Coco’s beach is Coco’s restaurant which is a real gem of the resort which we unfortunately didn’t locate until the second week. Blessed along with stunning views down onto the beach, believe chic beach decor and relaxed yet seriously good a la carte meals including pizzas to order, salads and more substantial main meals.
A wonderful method to see the island is Tropical Adventures Island Safari tours in one of their open-air jeeps (left) which affords you wonderful photo opportunities (right) and takes you round all the major points of interest
Food is a real highlight at St James. We chose to consume nearly every night at Docksider restaurant which offers a higher end buffet along with live food preparation stations overlooking the sea, accompanied by either live jazz or steel drums. Piccolo Mono – the resort’s luxury Italian restaurant set up the hill slightly is likewise fairly much worth the $40 (US) surcharge per person – I had lobster for both courses and superb cocktails.
One of the most effective points about St James is Alfred- the lovely butler that comes round both beaches on a cart to offer you drinks at your sun lounger – including the legendary (yet lethal) rum punch.
However it is worth tearing yourself away from your sunbed. Not only is there a massive range of water sports available at St James (we loved the paddle boarding, kayaks and day-to-day volleyball fulfill that takes place each day at about 4pm) yet Antigua and Barbuda have actually so much on offer.
TOP TIP: Watch out for cruises
It is surely worth getting from the resort to explore Antigua’s stunning 365 beaches and rich culture. St James has actually both a car rental service on site and a taxi rank. Taxis are fairly safe yet not cheap – expect to pay about $80 US return to go across the island.
It is important to check along with guest services if a cruise ship is in harbour prior to setting off! We wasted $90 on a taxi round trip to spend about 20 minutes on a beach which we found saturated along with 1000s of cruise passengers fighting for an inch of sand.
A wonderful method to really see the island is to do one of Tropical Adventures Island Safari jeep tours, that will certainly take you round all the top sights such as Nelson’s Dockyard, English Harbour and Fort George which has actually breath-taking views. It’s worth going off road in to the centre of the island to get hold of a real sense of island life and vegetation. It includes a stop off at Turners Beach for lunch and a swim (all accompanied by the strongest rum punch we sampled on the island – sip along with caution).
We opted for an open-air jeep which was wonderful fun, yet those not keen on a bumpy ride could be much better off opting for one of the SUV’s.
But our ideal days were spent off the land. The sea surrounding Antigua and Barbuda is the kind of shade you assume ought to be photo-shopped in pictures. A day spent on St James’s fairly own catamaran – which leaves from the dock on Mamora bay- is surely worth doing at least once.
A ought to do is a boat day trip that goes twice weekly to the sister island of Barbuda
Barbuda is the universal vision of ‘paradise’, where untouched white sands stretch for miles
After the Christmas of 1992 Diane (pictured left in the sea) headed for Barbuda along with sons William and Harry
It is not hard to see why stars like Eric Clapton, Princess Diana and Robert De Niro (L -R) love Antigua and Barbuda
Leaving at a fairly civilised 10am it will certainly take you around the island and in to English Harbour where you can easily see some seriously huge mega-yachts, prior to pausing for snorkelling.
Having snorkelled prior to we were expecting to catch sight of a handful of fish, yet the moment you pop your head in to Antigua’s turquoise waters you are surrounded by hundreds of brightly coloured fish. Turtles are not unusual either, even though unfortunately we didn’t get hold of to see any on our trip.
A further tour round the island, a delicious lunch and well stocked bar, and a beach stop on a near secluded patch of sand make this a day not to be missed (simply watch out for the ‘Donkey Kick’)
Another sea excursion well worth your time is the one that goes twice weekly to Barbuda. Leaving from St Johns it is important to schedule this fairly early in your trip as it only goes twice a week and you don’t want to skip out.
St James’ Tranquility Spa offers everything you would certainly want – including a fairly special outdoor couples massage overlooking the bay, along with nothing yet the sea as your soundtrack
Barbuda is the universal vision of ‘paradise’. Untouched white sands stretch for miles alongside an ocean that looks like it has actually been aggressively Instagram filtered it is so perfectly turquoise.
A holiday favourite of Princess Diana (it is here she stayed both along with the infant princes and along with Dodi al Fayed prior to her tragic death) the island has actually recognised her love for the tiny isle by naming a beach after her.
The lack of resorts here means the beach on which our boat pulled up had only one building as far as the eye could see. It is this seclusion that has actually attracted celebrities such as Robert de Niro to build holiday homes here.
Take the shuttle bus to Shirley Heights on Sunday evenings to watch the most spectacular sunset ever
The day tour likewise affords you an opportunity to visit the frigate bird sanctuary, Yet the beach was so idyllic we opted to stay there and soak in the scenery.
For those that like to appreciate their evenings as well as the day, St James offers nightly entertainment – from singers to steel bands- and a fortnightly beach party finish along with fire eaters, limbo dancers, chocolate foundations and a shots table, which is not to be missed.
Take the shuttle bus from the hotel (or organise your very own taxi) to Shirley Heights on Sunday evenings to watch the most spectacular sunset you will certainly ever see over English Harbour from the highest point on the island.
Everyone cheers when the sun finally disappears behind the horizon and you can easily sample a traditional Caribbean barbecue prior to the party picks up and carries on until midnight.
And if relaxation is more your mug of tea, St James’ Tranquility Spa offers everything you would certainly want – including a fairly special outdoor couples massage overlooking the bay, along with nothing yet the sea as your soundtrack.
But ultimately exactly what we found the most effective thing about Antigua and Barbuda is that is has actually all the positives of a Caribbean island – incredible weather, wonderful hotels and food, stunning beaches and friendly people- yet along with a real sense that you are experiencing the genuine culture of the West Indies, prior to it becomes diluted. And, as it is slightly much less expensive than various other Caribbean destinations you can easily discover some amazing deals!
TRAVEL FACTS
Kuoni (01306 747008 or www.kuoni.co.uk) offer seven nights on all-inclusive at St James’s Club & Villas, Antigua in a club room, including return economy flights on BA from London Gatwick and transfers in resort. The price for end of August 2016 is from £1335 per person, based on two sharing, which includes a saving of up to £386 per person. schedule by 29 February 2016.
Check out the St James Club Resort and Spa website for more details about the hotel.
Take a check out the several excursions offered by Tropical Adventures Island Safari’s here.
from Golden Land Travel http://ift.tt/1O7PBrt
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