FROM HALIFAX TO CURAçAO

Bermuda appears like a distant promise in the deep blue of the North Atlantic – a British archipelago that has captured the imagination for centuries as the northernmost point of the mystical Bermuda Triangle. Around 360 coral islands belong to this archipelago, only around 20 of which are permanently inhabited. The largest island, Grand Bermuda, forms the vibrant heart of the group. This is where you will find the charming capital city of Hamilton, where British elegance and American casual flair combine to create a unique lifestyle. Bermuda is famous for its fantastic beaches, where the soft pink sand feels like powder under your feet. In the midst of this paradise, subtropical landscapes stretch out with dense mangrove forests, mysterious caves and lush greenery. Above and below the water’s surface, several national parks invite you to explore – whether on a walk along spectacular cliffs or snorkelling through colourful reefs teeming with life.

Today is all about enjoying an expedition. The destination: Prickly Pear Cays – two small, unspoilt islands north-west of Anguilla. The cay islands, named after the prickly fig cactus, lie peacefully in the turquoise Caribbean Sea, separated by a narrow channel and surrounded by a protected reef system. No roads, no houses – just sand, wind and waves. What looks like the far ends of the earth is actually a natural paradise teeming with life. While seabirds rest on the flat beach, explore the colourful corals while snorkelling and, with a little luck, observe a sea turtle as it swims through the clear water. On East Cay, enjoy the view of the open sea – a place of serenity where the horizon merges with the sky. The Prickly Pear Cays are a quiet gem of the region: unspoilt, pristine, impressive. A day here is like stepping back in time to when the Caribbean was still completely untouched by humans.

Saint-Barthelemy, also known as St Barts, is a living legend among the Caribbean islands. The small capital, Gustavia, attracts visitors with impressive yachts in the harbour and the cosmopolitan jet set that has settled here since the 1950s. The island, which covers 21 km² (8.1 m²), impresses with its palm-fringed beaches such as the quiet Plage de Saline, the Anse du Gouverneur with its crystal-clear water and the lively Plage de Colombier. Gustavia itself invites you to discover its luxury boutiques and world-class restaurants – a perfect blend of Caribbean beauty and exclusive luxury that makes St Barts one of the most desirable travel destinations in the world.

Dominica is considered an insider tip for nature lovers and adventurers: untamed, intense and spectacular in its diversity. Rainforests rustle and murmur on mountain slopes, hot springs steam from the ground and rare animals and plants thrive in one of the most extensive nature reserves in the Caribbean. Whether hiking through emerald-green gorges or marvelling at waterfalls plunging from cloud forests into crystal-clear pools, in Dominica you are surrounded by a natural landscape that is free to unfold. History and the present merge in the lively capital city of Roseau: on the walls of the former British fortress, a charming hotel now watches over the bay. The towers of the Catholic Cathedral of Notre-Dame rise up between tropical vegetation and colonial architecture, while government buildings with historical flair characterise the cityscape.

Surrounded by white sandy beaches and green hills, Marigot Bay is one of the most idyllic bays in the Caribbean: it invites you to swim, snorkel and relax and is a popular place for sailors to drop anchor. Charming restaurants line the shore and offer a selection of local and international cuisine. Its peaceful atmosphere makes St. Lucia the perfect retreat to enjoy the beauty of nature and the Caribbean way of life.

The small Caribbean island of Bequia has retained its friendly and laid-back atmosphere. Here, life seems to move at a slower pace: the island only gained electricity and telephone service in the 1970s. Port Elizabeth adds an international flair: take a relaxed stroll through the capital, with its popular marina, which is also the starting point for sailing trips to the island world of the Grenadines. Bequia is a mecca for sailing, even in miniature: every year at Easter, a regatta of miniature sailors takes place here, for which there are numerous workshops for model ships. The island has something for everyone – from the small vegetable market to Mount Pleasant with its sweeping views and a sea turtle sanctuary. Or you can simply enjoy a day at the beach on the white sands of a sheltered cove, with the turquoise sea as your backdrop.

With snow-white beaches, turquoise waters and a tropical climate, Mayreau is the smallest inhabited island in the Grenadines and a real picture-book idyll in the middle of the Caribbean. The island is a retreat far from the hustle and bustle of everyday life, where there are no cars and only a single road leads to the charming village of Old Wall. Most of the approximately 300 inhabitants live here, maintaining warm hospitality in a relaxed atmosphere. Mayreau is the perfect place to spend a few carefree days on the beach and a paradise for those who want to enjoy the Caribbean vibe.

On the south-western coast of Grenada lies St. George’s, one of the most beautiful coastal cities in the Caribbean. The natural harbour of Carenage and the colourful colonial houses give the Grenadian capital its typical appeal. The pretty lanes and historic buildings of the old town invite you to explore, while small restaurants and shops around the harbour and along Melville Street and Lagoon Road form the heart of the tourist centre. A walk up the hill above the city to the former French Fort Frederick offers a magnificent panoramic view of the entire bay.

Bonaire, the second largest of the Caribbean ABC islands, offers a mixture of colourful nature and a fascinating underwater world. The name of its capital Kralendijk translates as “coral dyke”, which refers to the fantastic coral world that stretches off the coast in the Bonaire National Marine Park. While the hilly north of the island boasts exotic species of birds and tropical vegetation in the Washington-Slagbaai National Park, the Pekelmeer Flamingo Sanctuary in the flat south attracts nature lovers with one of the largest flamingo colonies in the world. Bonaire is a paradise for snorkellers and explorers alike.