More than 360 powdery beaches, a contiguous wall of coral reefs and laid-back islanders attract visitors to Antigua. Add to that small inns and remote, high-end boutique hotels, which are perfect for romantic getaways, and you have recipe for a lovely Caribbean vacation.

Most of the action is centered in the capital St. John's, where you'll find lively markets and restaurants. St. John's sits in a narrow bay delighting visitors with its cobblestone sidewalks and sun-bleached wooden houses.

A former british colony, Antigua retains many of its British traditions. Cricket is an island favorite. You can also still see British heritage on display in the historic district of English Harbour part of Nelson's Dockyard National Park. Britain's Caribbean fleet docked in the harbour during the 18th and 19th centuries. Today the English Harbour is used for one of the world's foremost maritime events, Sailing Week.

The smaller island of Barbuda, home of the Frigate Bird Sanctuary, is largely undeveloped, though it has a small number of resorts. A quick 15-minute flight or 90-minute ferry ride from Antigua will get you there.