Country Guide: Antigua

Take a Caribbean getaway to Antigua

WE FLEW TO?

Antigua, one of the best Caribbean islands for a quick getaway. It's well served by direct flights from the UK and prices are good at this time of year. In November, a return from Gatwick with Virgin Atlantic (virginatlantic.com) costs from £394 including taxes. Beaches, sunshine, superb seafood and easy-going hotels are the big attractions, and the island's happy mix of pretty, pastel-coloured houses, glamorous yachts and clear blue seas was the perfect backdrop for our shoot, which featured simple, summery pieces. For more information, contact the Antigua & Barbuda Tourist Office (020-7258 0070; antigua-barbuda.org).

WE STAYED AT...

Club Colonna, which is right on the beach and just ten minutes' drive from the airport. With 114 rooms, tropical gardens and a new spa, the resort is run by Sunsail Clubs (0870-112 8487; sunsail.co.uk), who specialise in activity and watersports holidays. A seven-night package costs from £649 per person including flights, half-board accommodation, most watersports, tennis and use of fitness facilities.

WHILE YOU'RE THERE...

1 Take a boat from Club Colonna to nearby Prickly Pear Island, where there's nothing but white sand, blue sea, a beach-shack restaurant, above, and a beautiful reef to explore.

2 Enjoy some Antiguan rum: buy it at the old-style Quin Farara's Liquor Store on Long Street in the island's atmospheric capital, St John.

3 Dine on excellent fish and seafood in simple places like OJ's at Crab Hill Beach.

For a list of good restaurants, see definitivecaribbean.com.

4 For some island history, visit English Harbour to see the 18th-century Nelson's Dockyard, and Betty's Hope to learn about the days of plantations and slavery.

5 Swim with small stingrays at Stingray City (00 1 268 562 7297; stingraycityantigua.com) - it's safe and very touching!

To see more stunning shoot locations click here