Travel - Caribbean
The islands of the Caribbean Sea or West Indies are an extensive archipelago in the far west of the Atlantic Ocean, mostly strung between North and South America. They've long been known as a resort vacation destination for honeymooners and retirees, but a small movement toward eco-tourism and backpacking has started to open up the Caribbean to more independent travel. With year-round good weather (with the minor exception of hurricane season in the late summer and early fall), promotional air fares from Europe and North America, and hundreds of islands to explore, the Caribbean offers something for almost everyone.
edit] Understand
The Caribbean islands were first inhabited by the Arawak Indians, then were invaded by a more aggressive tribe, the Caribs. Unfortunately, neither could appreciate their victory forever, although the Arawaks may have had a quiet reign of nearly two millenia. Then the Spanish, Portuguese, Dutch, French, Danish, and British, colonised their lands, subjecting the Arawaks to genocide. The islands have known many historic battles and more than a few pirate stories.
edit] Regions
edit] Other islands and territories
These countries are not in the Caribbean basin but are variously close to it, and are commonly associated with the Caribbean (e.g. members of CARICOM, the Caribbean Community).
- The Bahamas – a cluster of islands north of the Greater Antilles and southeast of Florida.
- Bermuda – some distance to the north of the Caribbean, but commonly associated with the region.
edit] Cities
edit] Other destinations
edit] Get in
edit] By plane
- From Europe to:
- Antigua and Barbuda (ANU) from London (LGW),Manchester (MAN) by BA, BMI, Virgin, XL and from Frankfurt (FRA) by Condor
- Barbados, Bridgetown (BGI) from London, Manchester by Virgin, BA, Caribbean Airlines, XL and from Frankfurt by Condor
- Cuba from London (LGW)by Virgin, Air Jamaica, from Madrid (MAD) by Iberia, from Paris (CDG) by Air France and from all three by Cubana
- Grenada, Point Saline (GND) from UK by Virgin, BA, Excel from Germany Condor
- Saint Lucia, Hewanorra (UVF) from London (LGW) by Virgin, BA, Caribbean Airlines and from Manchester (MAN) by Virgin
- Martinique Fort-de-France (FDF) from Paris by Air France, Air Caribes (cheapest from Germany ?)
- Tobago (TAB), from London (LGW) by BA, Virgin, XL and from Frankfurt (FRA) by Condor
- Trinidad, Port-of-Spain (POS) from London by Caribbean Airlines
- Turks & Caicos Islands (PLS), from London (LHR) through Nassau, Bahamas
(to be developed)
- Airlines:
- Air Caraibes [3]: from Paris to Guadeloupe, Martinique
- Air France [4]: from Paris to Guadeloupe, Martinique
- Air Jamaica[5]: London to Jamaica and Cuba
- American Airlines [6]: from Miami to; Antigua, Aruba, Barbados, Curaçao Dominican Republic, Grand Cayman, Grenada, Jamaica, Kingston, Montego Bay, Puerto Rico, Santo Domingo, St. Croix, St. Kitts, St. Lucia, St. Maarten, St. Thomas, and Trinidad
- British Airways [7]: from London (LGW) to Antigua, Barbados, Cayman Islands, Grenada, Saint Lucia, Tobago and from Manchaster to Saint Lucia
- Caribbean Airlines [8]: from London to Barbados, Saint Lucia, London - Antigua, Belfast - Tobago (see BWIA Route map [9])
- Cayman Airways[10]: from the Cayman Islands to multiple gateways in the US
- Condor/Thomas Cook [11]: from Frankfurt (FRA), see Condor Route map [12]
- Cubana [13]: To Cuba from Madrid, Paris, London
- Insel Air [14] Direct flights from Miami and Inter-Island travel. Aruba, Bonaire, Curaçao, Haiti, Las Piedras, Miami, Puerto Rico, Santo Domingo, St. Maarten, Suriname, and Valencia.
- JetBlue to Jamaica, Dominican Republic, Saint Maarten, and Barbados from NYC
- Lufthansa Airlines [15]: To Boston, Antigua, Barbados from Beijing
- Virgin Atlantic [16]: from London to Antigua, Barbados, Grenada, Havana, Jamaica, St Lucia, Tobago and from Manchester to Barbados and St Lucia
- XL [17]: from London to Antigua, Barbados, Grenada, St Kitts, St Lucia, Tobago
edit] Get around
Numerous companies offer cruises, charters, and boat tours in the Caribbean.
edit] By plane
- LIAT has connections between most caribbean islands
- American Eagle is another notable air carrier between islands
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