One perfect paradise – two beautiful islands in the Caribbean

Antigua and Barbuda has been leaving travelers breathless with its legendary beauty and its countless reasons to fall in love well before the Caribbean became a playground for sun-seeking vacationers.

The two islands, the very heart and soul of the Caribbean, are famous for different reasons, each offering visitors their own memorable experience. They are only separated by a slim body of water but united under one flag as a single nation, so movement between both is seamless.

The Sister Island

Barbuda is the smaller of the two Caribbean diamonds and is called Antigua's sister, with a population of just over a thousand persons. Most live around Barbuda's cozy capital Codrington, while the rest of the island's flat topography is covered with vegetation and surrounded by some of the most beautiful beaches to be found anywhere in the world. Pink sand shorelines stretch for miles, caressed by turquoise waters, a picture-perfect scene where time seems to stand still even in the midst of the turning pages of romantic adventure.

No need to rent a car or get into a taxi to get around Codrington. Everything is within walking distance. A casual stroll around its friendly neighborhood will take you into family-owned restaurants to be served some of the most scrumptious seafood to have ever touched your palate. If transport is available, the island boasts a Nobu restaurant located on Princess Diana Beach, rightfully named after the late Princess of Wales, because it was one of her favorite vacation spots.

Nature gave Barbuda one of its greatest gifts, a bird sanctuary where hundreds of frigatebirds nest, undisturbed by the few curious admirers who float by on guided tours. Over the years, the island has become known as the hidden gem of the Caribbean. The secret is out and more and more travelers are discovering the island's irresistible magic.

Antigua

Antigua, on the other hand, offers everything and more that the discerning traveler would expect from a Caribbean destination. The island's claim to fame is its 365 beaches that indent a coastline rich with character and hidden adventures. The beaches are some of the most beautiful in the world, each offering their own unique features, from the shady cover of Pigeon Point to the powdery white sand and crystal clear turquoise waters of Valley Church beach.

If the spirit of adventure beckons, hiking trails through Nelson's Dockyard National Park, home to a United Nations designated World Heritage site, are only one of the countless activities for the wandering explorer who wishes to get a bit more from a Caribbean vacation. They are in the right place in Antigua and Barbuda as the locals will be quick to tell you that the "Beach is Just the Beginning." Throughout the National Park, centuries of living history unfold, preserved in all its grandeur through the years by the caring hands of skilled artisans and laborers. Nelson's Dockyard amazingly functions in much the same way it did centuries ago, making it the only surviving dockyard from the Georgian period still operating today.

Antigua and Barbuda is perhaps best described as the Caribbean's ultimate treasure trove, holding close untold adventures of exciting romance and gastronomic flavors that are there for the choosing and tasting. A Culinary Month in May, now gaining major international attention, shines the spotlight on its authentic and delicious food and dining experiences.

Couples are drawn to its quiet, safe and beautiful allure to create that perfect and idyllic romantic backdrop where they can complete a new chapter in their lives together. The island's yachting events, which run for an entire season, and Carnival celebrations that explode into a frenzy of dancing and colorful revelers in the streets of the St. John's capital during the heart of summer, add vibrant energy to this paradise.

Antigua and Barbuda is easily accessible with direct flights connecting major cities across the US to the VC Bird International Airport. A variety of accommodations, ranging from family resorts to adults only or couples only resorts all in sophisticated and luxurious quality, will make your vacation the perfect Caribbean getaway.

Antigua and Barbuda remains a paradise in waiting, welcoming all to its majestic beauty, where its gracious and hospitable people welcome everyone like family. The only question is what’s stopping you from booking your visit to these beautiful islands in the sun?

Plan your next trip here: VisitAntiguabarbuda.com

Banner photo: Shirley Heights