Silver Back Muzik

Think of the Caribbean Islands and the immediate pictures to strike the mind are that of exotic palm-fringed sandy beaches, warm turquoise waters of the sea, splendid music, exotic food and a truly unique culture. There are more than 7000 Caribbean islands to choose from, with each promising a unique charm of its own - selecting one for a truly memorable holiday can be a daunting task. Here are three destinations in the Caribbean that you can consider for your next beach holiday under the warm tropical sun.

Jamaica

Jamaica is very popular with the tourists from the USA because it is about two hours flight from Miami. Distance aside, Jamaica has many interesting attractions to its credit and has repeatedly been voted as amongst the best beach destinations in the world by World Travel Awards, considered to be the Oscars of the travel industry. The Seven Miles Beach in Negril features amongst the world's best and offers a nice social vibe. The Montego Bay beach too is very popular with the visitors.

Most of the rivers on the island are navigable and there are endless opportunities for a host of water activities including river rafting, parasailing, kite boarding, scuba diving and more. The mystic Blue Mountains are a great draw and the Blue Mountain Coffee grown here is world-famous. Jamaica has had a tumultuous history which is well reflected in its plantation estates and historical monuments.

The US Virgin Islands

Located only about 1,000 miles away from Miami, these islands seem more like emeralds floating in a turquoise sea. Given they are part of the United States, they do have a distinctive American feel about them - however the experience they offer is quintessentially Caribbean. Not all of the fifty islands are habitable - from the tourist perspective, the three islands St. Croix, St. John, and St. Thomas are the major draw.

The US Virgin Islands are the busiest cruise port in the Caribbean and offer great shopping facilities, especially on St Croix and St. John islands. St. Thomas is a great duty-free shopping destination where you can shop your fill for liquor, jewellery, leather goods and native arts and crafts. Aside from the beaches, you can enjoy a host of outdoor activities including hiking, turtle watching, snorkelling, and scuba diving.

St Lucia

The island nation was formerly a colony of Britain and France. Stretching across 600 kilometres, and with a population of about 170,000 people, the island is one of the smallest independent countries in the world. The beautiful volcanic island is covered with lush green rainforest, which is home to an impressive collection of flora and fauna. St Lucia's most famous landmark, the Pitons, jutting out straight from the sea, have been designated as UNESCO World Heritage Site. Marigot Bay is another major attraction and is considered to be the most beautiful bay in the entire Caribbean.

All these destinations offer a host of accommodation facilities including hotels and private Caribbean villas. Staying in Caribbean villas is a preferred choice for those who wish more space, privacy and informal surroundings for their holidays.