DESTINATION DELICIOUS
  • Home
  • LUXURY TRAVEL
  • TRAVEL FEATURES
  • DESTINATIONS
  • WHAT TO PACK
  • FOOD & DRINK
  • LIFESTYLE
  • ABOUT / WORK WITH US
  • MEET THE TEAM
  • FOLLOW
  • Home
  • LUXURY TRAVEL
  • TRAVEL FEATURES
  • DESTINATIONS
  • WHAT TO PACK
  • FOOD & DRINK
  • LIFESTYLE
  • ABOUT / WORK WITH US
  • MEET THE TEAM
  • FOLLOW

Spotlight On: Antigua & Barbuda, West Indies 

15/2/2016

0 Comments

 
A not-to-be-missed Caribbean gem with a laid-back atmosphere
​and some of the friendliest locals on earth...
Jolly Harbour Beach, Antigua
'Sunset on Jolly Harbour Beach' © A.A Miln
Nestled in the heart of the Caribbean, the state of Antigua and Barbuda is comprised of two main islands as well as Redona, which is uninhabited. Antigua has 365 beaches (one to enjoy every day of the year), 280km of lush hills, rainforest and agricultural flatlands, making it the perfect destination for those looking for a perfect warm weather destination holiday.
​
Once you visit Antigua, it will become apparent why seriously wealthy celebrities such as Oprah Winfrey, Eric Clapton and Giorgio Armani, who can have their pick of any global destination to invest in when it comes to expanding their property profile, decided to buy holiday homes on this stunning island. 
Cocos Hotel, Jolly Harbour Beach, Antigua
'Turquoise Tranquility', Jolly Harbour Beach © A.A Miln
Getting there – Fly direct from London Gatwick to VC Bird International Airport in St. John’s 
For our escape to Antigua, we flew with British Airways (in the World Traveller Economy Class) direct from London Gatwick to VC Bird International Airport in St. John’s, the capital city of Antigua. We love flying with British Airways whenever possible, as it provides its passengers with a generous baggage allowance (inclusive 23kg checked baggage allowance), which means that I needn’t feel guilty for packing six bikinis for a week-long holiday - variety is key, after all). It even meant I had room to bring my snorkel and flippers so I could indulge in snorkelling every day.
​
The 8 hr 50 min flight flew by quickly, although it could have also been down to our excitement for our paradise jaunt! 
Jolly Harbour Beach Antigua
'Pastel Dreams', Jolly Harbour Beach © A.A Miln
The friendly locals - Smiles guaranteed everywhere you go... 
Cocos Hotel Antigua
'So Many Smiles', at Cocos Hotel © A.A Miln
​The first thing that struck me upon landing in Antigua was the hospitality of the warm, friendly locals whom greeted us with smiles a plenty.

​In Antigua everyone is ridiculously friendly, which led me to believe that they’ve hidden anyone grumpy or antisocial far away from the tourists! That being said, I suppose I’d be smiling all day too if I lived in the land of sunshine.

Here the pace here is slower, ‘island time’ as many call it, which makes for a refreshing change from the bustling pace of city life.
Best beaches of Antigua
© A.A Miln
Taxis in Antigua
​If you’re looking for a reputable taxi company to transfer you from the airport to your hotel, we’d recommend JJ’s Taxi (723-8753), which is run by Joseph Jacobs Sr., an eccentric local who guarantees satisfaction with every ride. In his words ‘If you don’t like my tour, you don’t pay me no money’. During our journey to the hotel, Joseph gave us a quick rundown of facts about the island – including the fact that there only 14 traffic lights on the whole island. I suppose he would know better than anyone, having been a local taxi driver for most of his life!
Church of St. Barnabus, Antigua
'Church of St. Barnabus 2016' © A.A Miln
What to see and do in Antigua
With so many options of things to see and do in Antigua, the most difficult decision you’ll have is deciding how to spend your time! Whether you want to spend all of your days flopped on a sun lounger on the beach or near your hotel pool or whether you’re seeking something a bit more adventurous, the sky’s the limit.
​
From zip lining in the rainforest to snorkelling amongst the barrier reefs, to island boat tours, to water sports such as sailing, kayaking, diving or kite surfing, you’ll be spoilt for choice. Gourmands can also sign up for private cooking lessons to learn first-hand how to master cooking delectable Caribbean cuisine.  
Nelson's Dockyard Antigua
'Nelson's Dockyard 2016' © A.A Miln
Key places to visit in Antigua
​While there are many places to visit in Antigua, you can’t miss English Harbour, Nelson’s Dockyard, Devil's Bridge and Shirley Heights. Religious or not, it's also worth visiting St. Barnabus Church, the oldest church on the island, dating back to 1676. Anything else that you manage to see is an added bonus. I would also recommend hiring a car for at least one day of your holiday so you can drive around the island to visit a variety of beaches. We used Sunny Rentals, near the Sugar Ridge Resort, which had reasonable rates and friendly staff.
Shirley Heights Lookout, Antigua
'Shirley Heights' © A.A Miln
Best Beaches in Antigua
​One of the highlights of visiting Antigua is its wealth of spectacular beaches. During our visit, we managed to see six beaches – Jolly Harbour Beach, Turner’s Beach, Jolly Church Beach, Ffryes Beach, Little Ffryes Beach and Half Moon Bay, all of which were fabulous and unique. 
Jolly Harbour Beach Antigua
'Beach Boy' © A.A Miln
Where to stay in Antigua
​Antigua has a plethora of gorgeous properties to choose from whether you’re looking for more reasonable self-catering accommodation or an ultra-luxe resort. Recommended hotels and resorts include: Sugar Ridge, Cocos Hotel, Keyonna Beach and Tranquillity Bay.
Devil's Bridge, Antigua
'Devil's Bridge' © A.A Miln
Not sure when you’d like to visit Antigua? Here’s an overview of key 2016 diary dates for upcoming events
  • RORC Caribbean: 22 Feb
  • Classic Yacht Regatta:  13-19 April
  • Antigua Sailing Week: 23-29 April
  • Sports Fishing Tournament: 14 May
  • Antigua Carnival: 22-26 July
  • Antigua and Barbuda Mango Festival: 26-27 July
Top tips for visiting Antigua...
​
  • Book a car to get a feel for the island and drive yourself to the airport (it’s cheaper than taxis, which are quite expensive)
  • Ensure you try the fish and seafood – it’s so fresh and is some of the best I’ve ever had
  • Bring US dollars and ensure that you have small denominations as it’s often difficult to get change for larger bills and it’s very handy to have £1 bills on hand for tips (for restaurants, bars, hotels, etc.
  • Tipping isn’t required but is appreciated, especially if you have any special requests
What to pack for your holiday in Antigua...

  • Sunscreen – Bring more than you think you’ll need; it’s recommend that you reapply your sunscreen every 2 hours and you’ll be spending a lot of time in the sun
  • Mosquito repellent – they’re pretty persistent
  • Sensible shoes (sandals and tennis shoes for walking) – leave the heels at home it’s ultra-casual here and the terrain is varied
  • A sunhat – the rays are intense and sun burning your scalp can bring on sunstroke

​
For further information, visit: 
  • Antigua and Barbuda Tourist Board
  • Lonely Planet

Ashley Miln
Ready to book your escape to Antigua?  Search the offers from Booking.com below...
Booking.com
0 Comments

Shirley Heights Lookout, Antigua

24/1/2016

0 Comments

 
Shirley Heights Lookout, Antigua
Sugar Heights Lookout Antigua
Sugar Heights Lookout Antigua
Sugar Heights Lookout Antigua
Sugar Heights Lookout Antigua
Looking for accommodation in Antigua?  We recommend Sugar Ridge and Keyonna Beach Hotel - two gorgeous luxury resorts that boast impressive locations and superb service. 

Ready to book your escape to Antigua? Check out the offers below from Booking.com.
Booking.com
No trip to Antigua is complete without at trip to Shirley Heights Lookout, one of the most popular tourist activities on the island. Home to a BBQ party complete with a live steel drum band and arguably some of the best views on the island, it isn't to be missed.

Every Sunday at around 4pm, throngs of tourists descend upon Shirley Heights to catch the sun setting over the postcard perfect English Harbour, which is dotted with sleek yachts and stylish sail boats .


Food and drink options at Shirley Heights Lookout

Shirley Heights Lookout has an onsite restaurant and bar, serving up strong rum punch cocktails and a BBQ feast including a variety of meat options such as grilled pork, chicken, cheeseburgers and ribs served with potato salad and garden salad. There’s not really anything for vegetarians to enjoy, so do keep that in mind if you’re a veggie! While the food here is steeply priced (and only OK quality wise), we felt it added to the overall experience. 

Dance to the steel drum band at Shirley Heights Lookout

We were amazed by the 14-member steel drum band, which had everyone on their feet dancing to popular songs.  The charasmatic drummers never missed a beat as they performed song after song, making their performance seem almost effortless.  

After the steel drum band had finished playing, a live band took over the entertainment, playing top pop songs to keep the party atmosphere alive.

The party tends to wind down around 7:30pm when local taxis start to arrive to collect visitors. At around 8pm, we left Shirley Heights with smiles on our faces, still buzzing from the performances. Overall, we'd definitely recommend it to anyone visiting Antigua.

Top tips for visiting Shirley Heights
  • Ensure that you wear sensible shoes as there are very steep drops and you don’t want to lose your footing when you’re capturing that all important sunset shot! 
  • Be prepared to wait in long queues to be served food and drink

Our experience overall
The location: ★★★★★

Food and drink: ★★
Staff attentiveness/friendliness: ★★★
Entertainment: ★★★★★

A.A. Miln
Sugar Heights Lookout Antigua
0 Comments

    The Caribbean Islands

    Inspiration for your visit to The Caribbean. From sensational accommodations to amazing restaurants and must-see destinations, you'll find it here. 

    A.A. Miln


    ​

    Melia, Sol Melia

    Archives

    August 2016
    June 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016

    Categories

    All
    Antigua
    Antigua Car Rentals
    Antigua Holidays
    Antigua Vacations
    Bayside Cafe St Lucia
    Best Beaches In Antigua
    British Airways
    Brut Bar St Lucia
    Capella Hotels
    Capella Marigot Bay St Lucia
    Capella Saint Lucia
    Caribbean Cooking Lessons In Antigua
    Caribbean Holidays
    Caribbean Vacations
    Destination Features
    Devil's Bridge Antigua
    Diving In Antigua
    English Harbour Antigua
    Ffryes Beach Antigua
    Half Moon Bay Antigua
    Island Boat Tours In Antigua
    Jolly Church Beach Antigua
    Jolly Harbour Beach
    Kayaking In Antigua
    Keyonna Beach Hotel
    Kite Surfing In Antigua
    Little Ffryes Beach Antigua
    Luxury Holidays In Antigua
    Luxury Hotels In St Lucia
    Marigot Bay Hotels
    Nelson's Dockyard Antigua
    Rum Tour
    Shirley Heights Lookout Antigua
    Snorkelling In Antigua
    St. Barnabus Church Antigua
    Steel Drum Bands In Antigua
    St Lucia
    St Lucia Luxury Resorts
    Sugar Ridge Resort
    Turners Beach Antigua
    What To See And Do In Antigua
    Ziplining In Antigua

    RSS Feed

DestinationDelicious.com - Live deliciously
©2014-2021 Destination Delicious