Fort-de-France to Fort-de-France

Fort-de-France, Martinique's gracious capital, blends French metropolitan sophistication with deep Caribbean soul in a way that no other island quite replicates. The Bibliothèque Schoelcher, a beautiful Art Nouveau building transported piece by piece from Paris for the 1889 World's Fair, anchors a downtown of wrought-iron balconies and aromatic spice markets. The surrounding countryside offers rum distilleries — some of the finest aged agricole rums in the world — dramatic rainforest hikes, and the haunting ruins of Saint-Pierre, destroyed by Mont Pelée's catastrophic 1902 eruption. December through May brings the driest, sunniest weather on this endlessly captivating island.

Antigua Guatemala is a UNESCO-listed colonial city in the Guatemalan highlands, where earthquake-ruined churches and monasteries frame three volcanic peaks in compositions of devastating beauty. Must-dos include walking through the roofless Cathedral ruins, hiking Volcán Acatenango overnight to watch Fuego erupt, and tasting world-class single-origin Guatemalan coffee. Visit November to April for clear skies and the best volcano views.

Charlestown is the two-thousand-person capital of Nevis, birthplace of Alexander Hamilton, where eighteenth-century Georgian architecture and the Caribbean's first hotel line streets untouched by mass tourism. Visit December through April via Windstar or Ponant for Hamilton heritage, volcanic hot springs, Pinney's Beach perfection, and the rare Caribbean experience of being a guest rather than a tourist.

Jost Van Dyke is a tiny, uncommercialised island in the British Virgin Islands named after a Dutch privateer, celebrated for its pristine white-sand beaches, legendary beach bars, and barefoot Caribbean culture. Visitors should not miss savouring a Painkiller cocktail at the Soggy Dollar Bar on White Bay and exploring the granite grottos of The Baths on nearby Virgin Gorda. The dry season from December through April offers the most radiant sailing conditions and calm turquoise waters, making it the ideal window for a luxury small-ship call at this intimate Caribbean gem.

Virgin Gorda is a stunning port in the British Virgin Islands known for its dramatic landscapes and rich history. Must-do experiences include exploring The Baths' unique rock formations and savoring local dishes like Roti and Fish Escovitch. The best season to visit is from December to April, when the weather is optimal for outdoor adventures.

Gustavia, the capital of Saint Barthélemy, is a charming port known for its luxurious yachts, vibrant boutiques, and rich historical tapestry. Must-do experiences include exploring Fort Karl for stunning views and indulging in local dishes like accras de morue while enjoying the sun at Colombier Beach. The best season to visit is from December to April, when the weather is pleasantly warm and the island is bustling with activity.

Sanremo, Italy, Italy is a distinctive port city where deep cultural heritage meets authentic local atmosphere, featured on itineraries by Ponant. Must-do experiences include walking the historic center to experience the layered architectural heritage, and seeking out the regional culinary traditions at a locally favored establishment away from the port area. The optimal time to visit is May through September, when mild temperatures and long days favor unhurried exploration.

Pigeon Island is a 44-acre national landmark off Saint Lucia's northwest coast, where centuries of Franco-British colonial battles left dramatic fort ruins atop volcanic hills with panoramic Caribbean views. Must-dos include climbing Fort Rodney for vistas stretching to Martinique, swimming the calm Caribbean-side beach, and tasting green fig and saltfish at Creole restaurants in Rodney Bay. Visit January through April for the driest weather and clearest skies.

Soufrière sits beneath Saint Lucia's iconic twin Pitons — UNESCO World Heritage volcanic peaks rising 700 meters from the Caribbean — with a drive-in volcano, Diamond Botanical Gardens, and thriving coral reefs completing the island's most naturally spectacular destination. Visit December through April via Silversea or Windstar for Gros Piton summit views, geothermal springs, and the primal Caribbean beauty that no resort amenity can replicate.

Mayreau is the smallest inhabited island in the Grenadines, a car-free Caribbean gem with fewer than three hundred residents, the exquisite Salt Whistle Bay beach, and views across the pristine Tobago Cays Marine Park. Must-do experiences include snorkelling with sea turtles in the Tobago Cays, feasting on fresh grilled lobster, and watching sunset from the hilltop church. January through May's dry season offers the most reliable weather.

The Tobago Cays are five uninhabited Caribbean islets in the Grenadines, enclosed by a horseshoe reef that shelters the clearest turquoise water and the most accessible sea turtle encounters in the Lesser Antilles. Must-dos include snorkelling with green turtles over seagrass beds, beachcombing on Petit Tabac (the Pirates of the Caribbean island), and simply floating in the reef-protected lagoon. Visit January through May for the calmest seas and clearest water.

Port Elizabeth is the beguiling waterfront capital of Bequia, a former whaling island in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines where Caribbean authenticity endures in gingerbread cottages, hand-built schooners, and charcoal-grilled lobster on the sand. Stroll the Belmont Walkway for the island's finest harbour views, then sail to the Tobago Cays for world-class snorkelling among sea turtles. The dry season from December through May offers the most reliable sunshine and the peak of luxury cruise calls into sheltered Admiralty Bay.

Saint Pierre and Miquelon is France's last territory in North America, a fog-wrapped archipelago off Newfoundland where croissants, crêpes, and the euro coexist with cod fishing and Prohibition-era history. Must-dos include exploring the rum-running Heritage Museum, dining on fresh cod and French wines, and visiting the haunting cemetery on Île aux Marins. June through September offers the best weather for this improbable outpost of French culture.