Eastern Caribbean

Tropical forests and aquamarine seas with kaleidoscopic diving opportunities abound at Samana. A place of salsa rhythms picturesque beaches and scenic layers of coconut palm trees the peninsula is a highlights reel of the Dominican Republic's best experiences. Choose to hike the mangrove forests of Los Haitises National Park or enter caves adorned with ancient art from the Taino Indians which plunge into the earth nearby. Pound through jungle trails on horseback seeking out towering waterfalls skim across the waves on powerful jet-skis or nurdle inland at your own pace in a sea kayak. Samana offers all of the snorkelling and diving that you would expect from a stunning Caribbean destination but it’s also renowned for the larger sea creatures that dwell in its waters - with mighty humpbacks visiting the bay during winter’s months. Set away from the lavish all-inclusive resorts Samana has an authentic feel. Stroll streets of shacks stacked with rosy fruits - sampling the freshest juices - and head to renowned beaches like Rincon. Just offshore the beautiful speck of an island Cayo Levantado waits. Here you'll find rich snorkelling with extraordinary visibility below the crisp clear waters. Get a closer view of the teeming reefs where tiny fish dart back and forth. Or simply lie back and let the sun gently bronze your skin in the embrace of the brilliant bright white sand.

Located on the Pacific coast of Nicaragua, just half an hour from the Costa Rican border lies the pretty fishing village of San Juan del Sur. Considered by some as the “St. Tropez of Nicaragua”, the village certainly has some resemblances. A sleepy little port by day favoured by the local jet-set and curious traveller alike, San Juan del Sur enjoys a laid-back family orientated feel that is closer to southern France than southern America. By night however, San Juan del Sur transforms itself into the hottest of hot-spots. View less Known principally for its excellent surfing and vibrant nightlife, the town’s charms transcend these more mainstream attributes and it remains an idyllic boutique resort, with bright, colourful houses and remote beaches, offering respite for a community of likeminded cultured travellers. The sunsets here are legendary, so enjoy a Mojito or a local Toña beer, put your feet up and relax.

Beach masterpieces of silky white sand and sparkling water shifting from turquoise to royal blue welcome you to idyllic Grand Turk. Underwater ramparts of coral teem with vibrant marine life, while tranquil beaches reward with a haven of relaxation. Discover relentless Caribbean beauty as you taste the wonders of this tiny, tooth-shaped island paradise. Part of the Turks and Caicos islands group, an enchanting string of islands that share jaw-dropping natural beauty, Grand Turk is a truly divine Caribbean escape. View less Your first port of call is always likely to be the blissful sand beaches that roll down to that trademark intense sea. Governor's Beach is a vision of pink sand, lapped by teal waters and a perfect rendering of your most lavish imagination. Submerge into the warm waters or shelter from the sun below soaring casuarina trees. Pillory Beach is another favoured option, nestled a little further to the north. Wade out along the shelf of sand, and part clear seawater that dances with twinkling sunlit patterns. Take your pick from the islands' blessing of beaches, or strap on a snorkel to float for hours amid the bright tones and curious displays of life below the surface. Graceful stingrays slide through the waters at Gibbs Cay, and you can wander among huge queen conch shells, strewn over its sands. Later, sunset will burn and boom above, as you taste fresh barbecued snapper, mahi-mahi and lobster platters. The stunning coral reefs that attract keen divers from across the globe have been far less welcoming to ships historically, and the wrecks that rest on the seabed attest to their hull-shredding credentials. Flashing out warnings, and standing tall since 1852, Grand Turk Lighthouse is a true icon of this island. Wild donkeys and horses may join you as you roam below the rusting, cast-iron tower, which gazes out protectively over the North Reef.