Antigua

Introduction

Antigua is for lovers…of beaches, sailing and sunsets. Reminiscent of Barbados about twenty years ago, the attraction of Antigua lies in its palm-fringed beaches, unhurried lifestyle, and its relaxed yet conscientious hotels. We specialise in luxury travel to Antigua and can tailor-make your ideal honeymoon, family holiday or spa break. Though our first class resorts range in style from traditional to cutting-edge contemporary, they all share one common feature – each is positioned on a stunning beach of powder-white sand that melts into the myriad blues of the Caribbean Sea.


The twin-island nation of Antigua and Barbuda has 365 white-sand beaches, one for each day of the year. With its perfect climate, azure-blue waters, colonial-era historic sites and world-renowned events, it provides the ultimate getaway experience.

Calm, protected waters make it an ideal destination for a wide array of watersports, as well as swimming and snorkelling. St. John's, the capital, is always a lively place to visit with great food and bright market stalls. Popular visitor attractions include the magnificent white baroque towers of St. John's Cathedral and the English Harbour, home of Nelson's Dockyard, featuring a collection of original buildings, forts and a museum.

To really appreciate Antigua’s stunning geography, visitors can take a helicopter tour of the island and admire the picturesque landscape of coves, bays and undulating hills. This includes its sister island of Barbuda, a flat coral island just 27 miles north of Antigua with an area of just 62 square miles. Its unspoiled pink sand beaches are breathtaking and the Frigate Bird Sanctuary is a haven for birdlife as well as nature lovers. Easily accessible from Antigua via a 90-minute ferry or catamaran, Barbuda is an excellent day trip.

Ideal for families, couples and adventure seeking-singles, the islands are also ranked as one of the world’s most romantic destinations making them an ideal choice for weddings and honeymoons.


DATES FOR YOUR DIARY

Antigua Sailing Week - 29 April – 03 May. One of the best sailing regattas in the world, the annual Stanford Antigua Sailing Week welcomes participants from all corners of the globe competing for the chance to win this prestigious race.

Romantic Rhythms Music Festival 12 –15 June. This new event will take place at the iconic Sir Vivian Richards Stadium and Fort James, a renowned scenic spot overlooking the ocean. Headline acts include Lionel Ritchie, Shaggy, Keyshia Cole, Kenny Rodgers, Maxi Priest, Brian McKnight, Destra Garcia and Atlantik. The impressive line-up of vocal and instrumental talent reflects the romantic melodies of international acclaim as well as the traditional ballads of the Caribbean.

Antigua Carnival 24 July - 05 August. 10 days of music, dance and revelry, with street marches, jump-ups and formal evening shows – calypso, pan, and Carnival Queen Pageants. It is a wonderful time to visit Antigua for a real insight into the culture of this beautiful country.


 

 

Antigua | Personal View

Danielle Walker - Antigua

My visit to Antigua began in style with British Airways Club Class. The journey was seamless and enjoyable from start to finish. The crew were all professional and discreet and provided an excellent service. I was welcomed with Champagne and enjoyed quality wine and foods for the duration of the flight.

My stay was at Curtain Bluff in Antigua, which is located on the Southern tip of the island. The service we received was extraordinary and the amenities are some of the most excellent throughout the Caribbean in my experience, with a wide array of sports from croquet to an international squash court. Curtain Bluff is surrounded by a reef, which protects the two beautiful beaches. This, along with the calm currents, offers perfect conditions for a wide array of water sports.

My visit to Antigua was truly memorable for the fine dining available, from the all-inclusive menu offered by Curtain Bluff, to the unique retreat experience that you enjoy as soon as you step foot in the resort.

As a destination, Antigua will take your breath away with its amazing scenery and backdrop. There is a beach for every day of the year with the whitest, finest sand that you can feel between your toes. Antigua is truly all-inclusive.

For a 40-minute road transfer from Curtain Bluff you will arrive in the capital, St Johns. The journey is an experience, with typically Caribbean roads, however the scenery just leaves you speechless. Also visit the English harbour, where you can sit in a café and watch the yachts. Take time to explore Shirley Heights and take full advantage of the scenery and history from the lookout point.

Regional Info

HIGHLIGHTS

  • Shirley Heights
    A rambling array of gun emplacements and military buildings with breathtaking views over English Harbour. On Sunday afternoons the view is accompanied by a barbecue, rum punch, and the strains of steel band and reggae music
  • Nelson's Dockyard
    Once a safe haven for British ships in the 18th Century, it is now part of a designated national park, a natural harbour for private sailing yachts with a museum and several buildings of historical interest
  • Betty's Hope Sugar Plantation
    An old sugar plantation founded in 1650, with two stone mills now under restoration
  • Redcliffe Quay & duty free Heritage Quay
    Main shopping areas in St. John's
  • Museum of Antigua and Barbuda, St. John's
    Display of artefacts and information on early Antiguan life
  • Antigua Rain Forest Canopy Tours
    Fly through the trees on an eco-tour in Antigua's rain forest
  • Paddles
    A great experience kayaking in a sheltered bay
  • Helicopter Tour
    Fly over the volcano on Montserrat
  • Stingray City
    Swim and feed the stingrays in their natural environment
  • Dow Hill Interpretation Centre
    A show of light and sound relating the history of Antigua and its people
  • Hell's Gate
    A rock formation in the sea, which can only be reached by boat, one of the stops on Eli's Adventure Antigua North Sound Eco-Tour
  • Devil's Bridge
    A rocky bridge naturally carved by the strong Atlantic current
  • Fig Tree Drive
    Scenic drive through the more lush side of the island
  • Golf
    18 hole courses are available at Jolly Harbour and the Cedar Valley Golf Club, St Johns
  • Megaliths Of Greencastle Hill
    The Caribbean's answer to Stonehenge. Green Castle Hill provides an amazing panoramic view of the west coast and the triangular shaped isolated hills of the Central Plain
  • Spring Hills Riding Stables, English Harbour
    Trails suitable for novices as well as for more experienced riders
  • Wadadli Cats Circumnavigation Tour
    Snorkelling, drinks and lunch stop
  • Harmony Hall
    A great venue for lunch (November to April)
  • Half Moon Bay
    One of the most picturesque beaches in the Caribbean - fine pink sand and surf on the south east coast
  • Long Bay
    Shallow long beach with fine white sand and crystal waters, on the east coast
  • Fryes Bay
    Powder white sand beach at Fryes Point on the west coast
  • Darkwood Beach
    A favourite beach for snorkelling, on the south west coast

EVENTS

  • January | Round the Island Race
  • February | Jolly Harbour Yacht-Valentine Day Regatta
  • April | Antigua Classic Yacht Regatta
    The sight of classic wooden sailing ships that dominated the seas in earlier centuries attracts visitors to Antigua for the annual Antigua Classic Yacht Regatta - one of the top three regattas in the world
  • May | Antigua Tennis Week
    The 34th annual tennis week, held at Curtain Bluff
  • July | Heineken Golf Classic
  • End of July/ beginning of August | Antigua Carnival
    Colourful annual Carnival parade including Carnival Queen pageants and live entertainment on the streets of St. John's
  • October | Jolly Harbour Annual Regatta
  • October | Spring Gardens Moravian Independence Food Fair
  • November | Independence Day
    Festivities include the dressing up of businesses and government buildings, softball and cricket competitions, a dance festival, a youth rally, an art and craft exhibition, an Independence food fair and a kite flying competition

 

LOCAL SPECIALITIES

  • Look out for handcrafted products including folk pottery and Batik cloth ware with colourful designs. First made by the slaves to cook their food in on the plantations, folk pottery is now produced by local craftsmen following traditional techniques. You can buy the pots at workshops all over the island. Alternatively, take home some of Antigua's landscapes with paintings by local artists
  • 'Pepper Pot' is a succulent stew of beef, pork, dumplings, spices and vegetables such as okra. The dish often comes with "fungii" (fun-jee), a mixture of cornmeal and okra, with a consistency somewhat like grits
  • There's also goat stew, grilled lobster and plenty of fish - porgy, snapper, parrot fish and French angler fish

 

TRAVEL TIPS

 

CLIMATE
A year round destination, the best time to visit is during the cool, dry winter months of December to mid April when temperatures average 75°F. The summer months are hotter and more humid.

 

CAPITAL
St John's

 

TIME DIFFERENCE
GMT -4 hours

 

CURRENCY
Eastern Caribbean Dollar

 

FLYING TIME
8 hours 40 minutes

Designer Chic

Diving

Families

Gourmet Dining

Honeymoons & Weddings

Spa

special offers

Free Nights | Save £515pp

Carlisle Bay, Antigua

Free night | Save £110pp

Blue Waters, Antigua

Wedding & Honeymoon Offer

Curtain Bluff, Antigua

Free Night | Save £240pp

Curtain Bluff, Antigua

Special Savings | Save £150pp

Galley Bay, Antigua

Free Night

Hermitage Bay, Antigua

Family Savings

Curtain Bluff, Antigua

Free Half Board | Save £945pp

Carlisle Bay, Antigua

Honeymoon Offer

Hermitage Bay, Antigua

Map

 

Request a personal quotation

 

For further information or to make a booking, please contact our Caribbean specialists on: 0161 491 7620

 

Antigua | Accommodation

 

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