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Travel bucket lists and other ideas for adventures of a lifetime

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Little Known Gems When Visiting the Island of Mustique

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The Caribbean is absolutely loaded with fabulous and beautiful islands to explore. Many of them are extremely popular, drawing in huge numbers of tourists, year after year. Then there are those lesser known islands that provide travelers with a much more remote and relaxed-pace. A perfect example of these lesser known islands is Mustique. Mustique has long since been popular with celebrities wishing to get away without being seen, as it is incredibly quiet, remote, and not built-up like many of the other Caribbean islands.

If you’re planning on traveling to Mustique, then there are some little-known gems that you will most definitely want to check out, and that will help to make your trip spectacular.

Where is Mustique?

One thing that people may not realize is that the island itself is private, owned by Mustique company. It is located near St. Vincent and the Grenadines and has a population of just 500 people. The island is quite small at just 2.2 square miles, but that area is covered by palm trees, stunning untouched beaches, incredible rock formations, steep hills, and the stunningly clear turquoise water.

Take in the Beaches

Because Mustique is so small you have the opportunity to visit each of the beaches. The beaches of Endeavour Bay, Gelliceaux, and Lagoon are found on the western and southern shores. These beaches are ideal for those who are experienced swimmers, families, and those who enjoy just lying in the sun on the beach. They are also perfect for paddle boarding and snorkeling.

As the Caribbeans Best website describes, Macaroni and Simplicity beaches, which are found on the north shore of the island, are better suited to experienced swimmers.

Basil’s Bar – the Ultimate Caribbean Retreat

It doesn’t get more authentic or more relaxing than Basil’s Bar. The bar itself sits on bamboo stilts in the water, the decor is Balinese, and it is topped off with a thatched roof. It used to be a tiny rum shack but is now the perfect spot to grab a drink. It’s open 365 days a year and has hosted celebrities, royalty, and those who just want a scenic place to relax.

Do a Little Shopping at Pink House

If you’re in the mood to do a little shopping while on your holidays, then you’ll want to stop by the iconic Pink House. This is Lotty Bunbury’s boutique and it is filled with lovely wardrobe items. The shop itself is a pastel-colored gingerbread house, which just adds to the allure. Even if you’re not in the buying mood, it’s still worth a visit just to take in the experience.

The Ultimate Caribbean Getaway

If you’re looking for that true escape from the hustle and bustle of your everyday life, and you don’t want to contend with waves of tourists while on vacation, then Mustique can act as that perfect Caribbean getaway. It’s all about quiet, rest, and relaxation on this stunning gem of an island.

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Incredible Beaches to Visit on a Winter Cruise

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Whilst the cold winter weather helps to get us in the Christmas spirit, it also can be dull, grey and depressing making us think back to warmer times and crave the sunshine. Booking on a winter cruise beach break could be just the type of holiday you need to top up those all-important vitamin-D levels. Here are some of the top beaches to visit on your winter holiday:

Amadorous Beach – Gran Canaria

A must for anyone heading on a winter cruise to the Canary Islands, Gran Canarias’s Amadorous Beach is an incredible man-made beach with tons to do for families and couples alike. From the glamourous beach club, to the giant inflatable out to sea, there’s many opportunities to go on jet skis, pedalos and a wide range of beach café bars under cover to get some shade and enjoy lunch whilst there. With balmy temperatures, all year round and guaranteed sunshine, it’s the perfect winter sun beach.

Playa Del Este – Cuba

The classic white sands, crystal clear waters and towering palm trees are a Cuban highlight and a must visit for anyone going on a Caribbean cruise this winter. Just 18km South of Havana, it’s easy to access the beach by hopping on a bus and takes around 20 minutes to get there. Once you’re there you’ll find amazing sports facilities and café bars to grab a drink and a bite to eat.

Reduit Beach – St Lucia

The most popular beach on St Lucia, Reduit is one of the prettiest and lively beaches in the Caribbean. There’s a range of water sports to get involved in, a gorgeous beach bar when you can enjoy fresh grilled fish and exotic cocktails and a mixture of lively spots and more deserted sections depending on your preference.

Las Cucharas Beach- Lanzarote  

Located on the east side of the canary Island, Costa Teguise is home to Cucharas Beach, and a popular windsurfing spot thanks to its breezy reputation. Not to be put off, the breeze is welcoming in the hot winter sun Lanzarote gets and provides a comfortable temperature for sunbathing. There’s everything you could possibly need for a chilled-out beach day with a health spa and hammock rentals available for the ultimate in relaxation.

With all these beaches, accessible on winter cruises at Iglu Cruises, why not book your next winter sun adventure and escape the cold today?

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When to Visit the Caribbean

From modern cities to stunning beaches, the Caribbean has something to appeal to every visitor. Made up of over 5,000 islands and atolls, this beautiful region is home to some of the world’s most popular holiday destinations.

Like other tropical destinations, the Caribbean is affected by turbulent and extreme weather in some seasons. Choosing the right time to visit the Caribbean can be the difference between strong winds and endless rain and warm, sunny beaches.

For this guide, we’ve teamed up with the travel experts at Royal Westmoreland to help you learn more about the four different seasons of the Caribbean.

The High Season: December until mid-April

From December to April, the Caribbean is visited by millions of tourists from North America and Europe. Because of the cool winter weather back at home, millions of tourists back their bags and jet off to enjoy the Caribbean’s amazing beaches.

This time of year is known as the high season, and it’s one of the best times of year to visit the Caribbean if you like comfortable weather and great events. Hotels are full and beaches are crowded, but there’s never a shortage of fun things to do.

During the high season, weather is moderate and comfortable. Temperatures hover around 70 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit, with humidity far more manageable than it is during the Caribbean summer.

The Shoulder Season: May and June

During May and June, the Caribbean gradually becomes less popular with foreign tourists. People pack their bags and return home, and resorts lower their prices in response to the downturn in patronage.

During the shoulder season, temperatures begin to increase and the humidity rises to a more noticeable, albeit not uncomfortable level. The amazing beaches of islands like Barbados become less crowded and the entire region becomes quieter.

The Low Season: June until August

From June until August, the Caribbean is lightly populated by tourists and far more affordable for visitors. Hotel occupancy rates reach their lowest point, and beaches that are covered in people during the high season are left completely bare.

If you’re seeking peace and quiet – albeit with some very high daytime temperatures – this is the time to visit the Caribbean. The low season is also ideal for travelling on a tight budget, as many hotels significantly reduce their rates.

The Hurricane Season: September until November

The Caribbean hurricane season begins in July, but it rarely reaches its peak until the middle of September or October. As scary as ‘hurricane season’ sounds, not all destinations are affected by extreme weather during this period of the year.

Islands such as Barbados, which is located further to the southeast than others in the Caribbean, are only marginally affected by the hurricanes. As such, this season can offer great value for guests willing to tolerate high humidity and the possibility of rough weather.

Feel like visiting the Caribbean? From low season to high season, this amazing part of the world is always a great destination. Apartments for sale in Barbados from Royal Westmoreland allow you to enjoy the Caribbean weather in every season.

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Photo by dherholz on Flickr

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When to Visit the Caribbean

Home to over 5,000 islands, the Caribbean offers a combination of sunny beaches and wonderful local culture to suit any traveller’s tastes. From Aruba to Barbados, the islands of the Caribbean vary dramatically in terms of culture, but share much the same climate throughout the year.

There are some small variations in local temperatures – when it’s 70-something in the northern islands, it may be 80-something in the southern ones – but most of the time, a warm and sunny day in Barbados is a warm and sunny day elsewhere.

Because of this, it’s fairly easy to work out the best time to travel to the Caribbean, regardless of the particular island you’re visiting. Read on to learn from the experts at Royalwestmoreland about the best time to visit the Caribbean.

Sun, Sand, and Comfortable Heat: The Caribbean Winter

While the idea of going to the beach in winter might scare people from temperate climates, the ‘winter’ of the Caribbean has little in common with the winter we’re used to back at home.

The Caribbean winter lasts from December until early April. During this season, rainfall is rare and sunny weather is the norm. Although it’s winter, the daytime temperature varies from 60-90 degrees Fahrenheit in most destinations.

Because of the cool weather in North America and Europe during this time of year, the Caribbean fills up with tourists from December until late March. Book ahead of time if you plan on visiting the islands during this time of year.

Windy, Wet, and Overcast: The Caribbean Rainy Season

Like all tropical regions, the Caribbean experiences powerful rainstorms for three months every year. Unlike the Pacific Islands or Southeast Asia, however, the wet season of the Caribbean is far windier than it is rainy.

Known to locals as the ‘Hurricane Season,’ the period lasting from September until the end of October is when most Caribbean hurricanes occur. It’s important to note that hurricanes do not affect all islands, and that travel in the region is still possible during this time of year.

Warm, Humid, and Very Sunny: The Shoulder Season

From May until August, the Caribbean is warm, immensely humid, and delightful to visit as a traveller. As the flood of tourists return home, the resorts that come at an incredible cost during peak season lower their rates and open their doors.

Likewise, the beaches that were once crowded from morning until night become an open expanse of sand just waiting for you to visit. If you’re searching for untouched nature and great prices, the Caribbean shoulder season is a great place to look.

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Photo by erikkristensen on Flickr

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Here at Seek Your Trip, we post twice-weekly articles that will get your travel juices flowing. The idea is to inspire you to get out there and explore far-flung places and unusual cultures.