Antigua is part of the Leeward Islands and boasts a spectacular choice of 365 picturesque coves and palm-fringed bays, with fine sand, blue seas and some of the best watersports in the Caribbean. As a beach destination, it's hard to beat with one of the driest climates in the whole Caribbean region, making it particularly popular among sunseekers.

The landscape of the island is not particularly varied but there are other attractions of interest: For sightseeing, English Harbour is worthy of a visit, a former British naval bastion used since Nelson's time. The capital St. John's has duty free shopping, a lively public market on a Friday and Saturday and an interesting 19th century cathedral.

Antigua's Remarkable Natural Bounty
Imagine 365 beaches on an island whose dimensions span only 14 miles in length and 11 miles in width! It just goes to show you that you would be hard-pressed to visit Antigua without finding your very own secluded piece of Paradise. From famous Dickenson Bay, site of Sandals Antigua, to the hundreds of seldom-explored coves and white sand inlets that run the entire distance of Antigua's winding coastline, couples can find that perfect beach they have always dreamed about. So explore pristine hideaways, savour the indescribable turquoise waters, dig your feet into the silky sand and find that special spot of your very own in the sun. 

Antigua's Booming Present & Rich Past
Charming St. John, Antigua's capital city, bustles with a lively spirit that speaks of its vibrant heritage. From the white towers of St. John's Cathedral, an impressive baroque structure first built in 1683 and then rebuilt in 1845, to the English Harbour, site of Admiral Lord Nelson's famed Georgian Dockyard, every part of the island is steeped in rich British Colonial history. Yet the vivid colours, sights and sounds of the Farmers Market, held every Friday and Saturday on the outskirts of town, attest to the reality that Antigua is also very much a place of thriving, modern Caribbean life. Browse the folk crafts and sample the brightly hued tropical fruits and you'll begin to get a taste of Antigua's true flavours. 

Bring on the Nights
Once you've soaked in the sunshine, claimed your own idyllic stretch of shoreline and sipped, dined and relaxed the day away, perhaps you'll be in the mood for some sophisticated excitement. If so, then Antigua has the ideal answer for you. With several elegant casinos offering Las Vegas-style gambling, you can try your luck at the tables, thrill to the high-stakes action or simply drink in the alluring atmosphere as you enjoy a delicious cocktail and sway to the intoxicating rhythms of the sultry evening. 

Antigua's Endlessly Enticing
An island so alluring and unforgettable that it seduces couples with the promise of enduring love. A locale with such abundant tropical finery and unforgettable scenery that it enters your heart and draws you back time after time. Antigua combines immense natural loveliness with a unique Caribbean pulse in one amazing destination to give you a modern-day Eden of your very own.

St John's
If you are lucky enough to arrive here early on a Friday or Saturday, you will see it come alive at the Public Market. This is the focal point of the city life, where housewives bargain noisily with farmers over fruit and vegetables, while fishing boats land their catch at the pier.St John's Cathedral is one of the most impressive Anglican churches in the Caribbean. Originally constructed in 1683, it has been rebuilt twice. After the 1843 earthquake destroyed the previous cathedral, a structure designed to be quake and hurricane proof was devised of pitch pine encased in stone. It has since withstood all tests. The figures of St John the Baptist and St John the Divine at the South Gate are believed to have been captured from one of Napoleon's ships.

Another point of interest is the 18th-century Court House, the former seat of justice and parliament, which now houses the National Museum of Antigua and Barbuda. It contains some fascinating displays on the history of the islands and interesting sporting memorabilia.

To the northwest, overlooking the harbour, are the ruins of old Fort James (1703), which once guarded St John's in pirate days. Vestiges of the ramparts still stand, and its cannons point out to sea.

English Harbour
One of the most interesting historical sites of the Caribbean is Nelson's Dockyard at English Harbour. It was developed in the mid-18th century to shelter English warships protecting the West Indies possessions. It saw its heyday during the War of American Independence and the wars against the French. Admiral Horatio Nelson made it his base in the 1780s, but when ships became too big to negotiate the landlocked harbour, the dockyard went into decline and was abandoned in 1889. With growing awareness of the island's tourist potential, the dockyard was restored during the 1950s, and it now looks much as it did in Nelson's day.

The best-restored building is the Admiral's House, furnished in period style and used as a nautical museum. It contains relics of Nelson's day and mementoes of the Admiral himself. Other restored buildings cater for English Harbour's modern role as a yachting centre.An excellent vantage point from which to sip a rum punch and reflect over the great sea battles of the past is the elegant Admiral's Inn with its romantic atmosphere.

During his tour of duty, Nelson made friends with one of his captains, Prince William Henry, Duke of Clarence, who became William IV of England, the "Sailor King". Clarence House, built by English masons for the Duke, stands on a small hill which commands a fine view of the dockyard.

Overlooking English Harbour on Shirley Heights are the ruins of the garrison buildings and fortifications that protected the naval base. The view from here is stupendous.

The Dow's Hill Interpretation Centre, with a short sound-and-light show illustrating six eras of Antigua's history, also offers fine views over English and Falmouth harbours.

Take the scenic route back to St John's via Fig Tree Drive-"fig" is the Antiguan name for banana-through the banana groves, forests and hills of the island. The road continues past picturesque west-coast fishing villages and the island's highest point, 405-m (1,330-ft) Boggy Peak.

Barbuda
From St John's airport, it's a mere 15-minute flight to Antigua's sister island, the quintessential unspoilt island paradise. Barbuda is 160 sq km (62 sq miles) of low scrub fringed by a magnificent beach. It counts around 1,500 inhabitants, descendants of slaves, most of them living in the island's only village of Codrington. Barbuda's association with Antigua goes back to the 17th century, to the days when it was the private fief of the English Codrington family who used it to raise provisions for their sugar plantations on Antigua and to run a sordid slave-breeding colony.

Barbudans look upon their land as communally owned, and local custom dictates that property can only be leased and not sold to non-Barbudans, and then only by unanimous consent of all the inhabitants. This has effectively served to discourage eager developers from outside the island. Today the island is essentially devoid of any major resort developments. But visitors staying at Barbuda's couple of hotels like it exactly that way. They come to enjoy the superb pink-sand beaches (better than Antigua's, the Barbudans claim), to go deep-sea fishing, snorkelling and scuba-diving round the reefs where there are more than 70 wrecks to explore.

Restaurants in Antigua offer specialities from around the world. However, the islanders have added their own spicy culinary touch and they make good use of the abundance of tropical fruit and vegetables. Black pudding is an adapted European dish and the familiar blood sausage has a highly spiced variant here. Favourite island dishes are pepperpot, coo-coo (cornmeal dumplings) and souse, which is boiled pig's head and trotters served with lime juice, sliced cucumber and pepper. Doucanah is a sweet potato dumpling flavoured with coconut and raisins, traditionally boiled in banana leaves. It is served with codfish, anchovies and eggplant.
There is a wide variety of seafood as well as fresh game and reef fish. The crayfish are excellent.

The shops in St John's are well stocked with imported tax-free items, especially English goods including china, cashmere, jewellery and crystal. Not everything is a bargain, however, and you should compare prices with those at home. Two areas to shop are at picturesque Redcliffe Quay and the modern Heritage Quay, the cruise ship dock in the centre of St John's. Out-of-town shopping opportunities include the Art Centre at Nelson's Dockyard and the gallery at Harmony Hall, built around an old sugar mill on the east side of the island.

There is a wide selection of straw goods. Local crafts also include dolls, silk-screened cottons and batik. Pottery is an Antiguan cottage industry and the products made from red clay are much sought after. The islanders also make clay charcoal pots for grilling fish and meat.

A warri board makes an unusual souvenir-if you can learn to play the game. It's the Antiguan equivalent of backgammon, some say as challenging as chess.

Airport
The international airport of Antigua is 6.4 km (5 miles ) northeast of St. John's. Taxi services run to the city and hotels.

Banks
Open Monday to Thursday 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.; on Friday open 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 3 to 5 p.m.

Climate
The island enjoys a very pleasant tropical climate which remains warm and relatively dry throughout the year.

Clothing
For these tropical climes, lightweight cottons or linen are recommended, with rainwear needed from September to December. Dress is informal unless formal dress is specifically requested. As a gesture towards the islanders themselves, it is preferable not to wear scanty clothing or beachwear in towns or villages.

Credit Cards
The main international credit cards are accepted everywhere.

Currency
East Caribbean dollar (EC$) = 100 cents. Notes: from 5 to 100 dollars. Coins: from 1 cent to 1 dollar. Major credit cards are accepted in tourist hotels and shops, as are US dollars.

Customs Allowance
The following items may be taken into Antigua without payment of customs duty: 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 250 g of tobacco; 1 litre of wine or spirits; 170 g (6 oz) of perfume.

Driving
Driving is on the left. The speed limit outside towns is 88 kph (55mph).

Electricity
220/110 volts AC, 60 Hz. American-style 2-pin plugs. Some hotels also have outlets for 240 volts AC; in this case European-style 2-pin plugs are used.

Essentials
Come equipped with sunglasses and plenty of sun lotion and insect repellent.

Health
Health facilities, hygiene and disease risk vary worldwide. You should take health advice about your specific needs as early as possible through either your general practitioner or a specialist clinic.

Holidays
January 1: New Year's Day
May: Labour Day (first Monday)
May: Bank Holiday (last Monday)
August: Carnival (first Monday and Tuesday)
November 1: Independence Day
December 25-26: Christmas
Moveable: Good Friday, Easter Monday

Language
English is the official language. English patois is widely spoken.

Media
All newspapers printed are weekly, many with political or governmental associations. All are in English.


Photography
Film for your camera is more expensive in the Caribbean, so you may wish to bring along an adequate supply.

Safety
Although crime statistics bear no resemblance to those of the big cities in America or Africa, theft has unquestionably increased in recent years. It's best not to put temptation in anyone's path by bringing expensive jewellery or other costly items, or leaving a camera or other valuables lying around.

Shops
Open Monday to Friday 8 a.m. to noon and 1 to 4 p.m., Saturday 8 a.m. to noon. Some shops do not close for lunch, and some close Thursday afternoon.

Telephone
Antigua (country code 1 268) is linked to the US network. To call the UK, dial 011 44 then the area code (minus initial zero) and local number.

Time
GMT-4, all year round.

Tipping
10 % is included on hotel bills for staff gratuities, plus an 8.5 % government tax. Taxi drivers expect 10 % of the fare.

Tourist Information
www.antigua-barbuda.org

Transport
Taxis are marked with a letter H on a green number plate. There are standard rates for standard trips-inquire in advance. The bus is cheap but the schedules are strictly informal.

Water
Bottled mineral water is recommended.