Nearly 3 miles long and 300 feet wide, gold-sand Papohaku Beach is one of the biggest in Hawaii (17-mile-long Polihale Beach on Kauai is the biggest). It's great for walking, beachcombing, picnics, and sunset watching year-round. The big surf and rip tides make swimming risky except in summer, when the waters are calmer. Go early in the day when the tropic sun is less fierce and the winds are calm. The beach is so big that you may never see another soul except at sunset, when a few people gather on the shore in hopes of spotting the elusive green flash, a natural wonder that takes place when the horizon is cloud-free.

The beach cove that fronts the Kapalua Bay hotel is the stuff of dreams: a golden crescent bordered by two palm-studded points. The sandy bottom slopes gently to deep water at the bay mouth; the water is so clear that you can see where the gold sands turn to green and then deep blue. Protected from strong winds and currents by the lava-rock promontories, Kapalua's calm waters are great for snorkelers and swimmers of all ages and abilities, and the bay is big enough to paddle a kayak around without getting into the more challenging channel that separates Maui from Molokai. Waves come in just right for riding. Fish hang out by the rocks, making it great for snorkeling.

Just off Queen Kaahumanu Highway, south of the Hapuna Beach Prince Hotel, lies this crescent of gold sand -- big, wide, and 1/2 mile long. In summer, when the beach is widest, the ocean calmest, and the crowds biggest, this is the island's best beach for swimming, snorkeling, and bodysurfing. But beware of Hapuna in winter, when its thundering waves, strong rip currents, and lack of lifeguards can be dangerous. Facilities include A-frame cabins for camping, pavilions, restrooms, showers, and plenty of parking.

One of Hawaii's best spots for swimming, gold-sand Lanikai's crystal-clear lagoon is like a giant saltwater swimming pool that you're lucky enough to be able to share with the resident tropical fish and sea turtles. Too gorgeous to be real, this is one of Hawaii's postcard-perfect beaches: It's a mile long and thin in places, but the sand's as soft as talcum powder. Prevailing onshore trade winds make this an excellent place for sailing and windsurfing. Kayakers often paddle out to the two tiny offshore Mokulua islands, which are seabird sanctuaries. Because Lanikai is in a residential neighborhood, it's less crowded than other Oahu beaches; it's the perfect place to enjoy a quiet day. Sun worshipers should arrive in the morning, though, as the Koolau Range blocks the afternoon rays.

It might be notorious for its late-night party scene, swanky beach hotels with steeply priced drinks and the beachgoers who wear barely-there $300 swimsuits, but vacationing Miami-style doesn't have to cost a fortune.

From $3 beers to staying at a hostel for $34 a night to $7 bike rides along the Florida Everglades, visitors looking for deals have lots of options in the area.

Lodging

If you're adventurous and on a tight budget, consider staying in a hostel. Rooms can house anywhere between three and 14 travelers, sleeping on bunk beds, from $18 a night per person to about $40, depending on season and room size. Hostels in Miami Beach include Tropics Hotel & Hostel, 1550 Collins Ave., http://www.tropicshotel.com, Jazz on South Beach Hostel, 321 Collins Ave., http://www.jazzhostels.com/ and South Beach Hostel, 235 Washington Ave., http://www.thesouthbeachhostel.com.

For more conventional lodging, research your hotel at the one-stop shopping Web site http://www.miamihotels.com. Book a room while looking for nearby attractions, beaches and events.

Miami Beach

The Lincoln Road pedestrian mall is perfect for strolls and people-watching. You'll find dozens of restaurants and shops, along with locals walking dogs or weaving through the crowds on roller blades.

For a quick bite, check out Pizza Rustica (667 Lincoln Road, other locations on Washington Avenue), where you can get a huge slice of gourmet pizza for about $5. This is also a great spot for club-goers looking for something to fill their stomachs after a few drinks since it's open from 11 a.m. until 3 or 4 a.m.

At 625 Lincoln Road is a hidden gem popular with the locals. Snuggled between two stores is the narrow, tiny bar called Zeke's Roadhouse, which boasts over 80 bottled beers and drafts from around the world -- each just $3. No hard alcohol is sold here, and no outside food or drinks are allowed on the premises. Keep your ID handy since bartenders check it with each purchase. No ID, no beer. If you prefer to spend your time on the sand, the beach is walking distance (and free, unless you rent the pricey beach chairs). On your stroll, check out the Art Deco architecture and ritzy hotels. Or snap some pictures at the Casa Casuarina mansion where fashion designer Gianni Versace once lived, now a luxury hotel at 1116 Ocean Drive.

A drink at a trendy hotel bar on the beach -- the Delano, Setai, Shore Club, Gansevoort -- can cost up to $15, but you might just run into a celebrity. Owen Wilson was spotted at the Delano while filming "Marley & Me" with Jennifer Aniston. She reportedly spent time at the Mandarin Oriental.

Many restaurants in South Beach and other touristy areas automatically add a tip (usually 15-18 percent) to the bill.

Art

The Miami Art Museum -- 101 W. Flagler St., http://www.miamiartmuseum.org/ -- has a unique collection of different cultural traditions of South Florida. Adults pay $8, seniors $4, free for children under 12 and students with ID; free to all on the second Saturday of each month. Also on second Saturdays, local galleries and studios in the Wynwood Art District offer free wine (or beer) on a gallery walk, 7-10 p.m. The Wynwood galleries are open other days as well.

A short cab ride away, in the heart of Miami about a mile from downtown, is Vizcaya Museum & Gardens -- 3251 S. Miami Ave., http://www.vizcayamuseum.com/ -- built by agricultural industrialist James Deering in 1916. The landmark property includes a main house filled with treasures from around the world, a walkway lined with fountains and foliage, 10 acres of formal gardens and a hardwood hammock overlooking Biscayne Bay. Admission for adults is $12; children 6-12, $5; ages 5 and younger free.

Not far, in the Miami suburb of Coral Gables, is the Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden -- 10901 Old Cutler Road, http://www.fairchildgarden.org/ -- with an extensive collection of rare tropical plants. Stop by its verandah restaurant or garden cafe, or spend the afternoon drinking tea here. Adults pay $20; seniors $15; children 6-17, $10. Admission is pay as you wish on the first Wednesday of each month (next two, Nov. 5 and Dec. 3).

Entertainment and Food

Transit Lounge in the downtown area -- 729 SW First Ave., http://www.transitlounge.us -- hosts several local bands during the week that play Latin and funk music. A drink is around $6; open late (5 a.m.). If you get tired of dancing, sit along the walls adorned with paintings done by local artists and play that favorite game from childhood, Connect Four.

Calle Ocho, or Eighth Street, hosts Viernes Culturales or Cultural Fridays the last Friday of every month. The art and street festival spans four blocks lined with more than a dozen galleries, restaurants blasting Latin music and cigar shops -- some offering free drinks and appetizers. Stages are set up for live music. Organizers say the Latin festival attracts over 10,000 people to the heart of Little Havana. Dancing and cigar smoking is encouraged.

While on Calle Ocho, don't miss the Cuban food and coffee at Little Havana's famed Versailles Restaurant, 3555 SW Eighth St., a required stop for vote-seeking politicians -- including, most recently, Republican presidential contenders Rudy Giuliani and Mike Huckabee.

Nature

The best way to see South Florida's alligator-infested waters is riding an airboat through the Everglades. Everglades Alligator Farm is about 35 miles south of Miami in Homestead, http://www.everglades.com, while Everglades Safari Park is about 15 miles west on the Tamiami Trail, http://www.evsafaripark.com/. Both places offer a chance to experience Florida's river of grass up close. You can even take a picture holding a baby alligator or watch an alligator show. The adventure, airboat and all, costs about $23 for adults, $15 or less for children. Both Web sites offer printable discount coupons.

Also in Homestead, Shark Valley Tram Tours -- http://www.sharkvalleytramtours.com/ -- rents bikes for $6.50 an hour. A 15-mile nature trail through the northern region of Everglades National Park takes two to three hours. If you'd rather rest your feet, a two-hour guided tram ride with wildlife viewing and a stop at the Shark Valley observation tower for a panoramic view of the Everglades costs $15.25 ($9.25 for ages 3-12). (Access to Shark Valley was limited in early October due to flooding, with tram tours suspended and bike routes limited, so check on conditions before you plan a trip there.)

The fee for car entry to Everglades National Park is $10, good for seven consecutive days, or $5 per person on foot, bike or motorcycle; http://www.nps.gov/ever/.

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Transportation

Miami lacks comprehensive public transportation, but there are economical ways to get around. You can't miss the big blue Super Shuttle vans from the airport to the beach and Miami hotels, $20 plus tip. The Tri-Rail is a convenient, affordable way to navigate the region, with stops including area airports, Fort Lauderdale, Delray Beach, Boca Raton and West Palm Beach. One-way fares are $2-$5.50, all-day $4 weekend fare.

Taxis are widely available if you prefer not to rent a car. A ride from the airport to the beach can cost about $30-35.

Florida is one of the top luxury honeymoon destinations for several reasons. First, honeymoon couples can experience the comfort and safety of staying within the United States. Florida is also a relatively close destination for American honeymooners. But most importantly, Florida is such a diverse destination, with so many attractions and activities, that it appeals to many honeymooners.

On your Florida honeymoon vacation, the Everglades National Park is not to be missed. The Everglades is perfect for the nature enthusiest or adventuring couple, and there are several luxury resorts near the Everglades that cater to honeymooners. Protecting more than 1.5 million acres, Everglades National Park is the 3rd largest national park in the lower 48 states. The area is home to rare and endangered species, such as the American crocodile, Florida panther, and West Indian manatee. Make sure to tour the Royal Palm Trail, which is great for spotting wildlife. American Express Tours sugests that travelers use this tour durring wet season in order to escape the heat and bugs. The Everglades is perfect for the nature enthusiest honeymoon couple, and there are several luxury resorts near the Everglades that cater to honeymooners.

For those honeymooning couples looking for the island experience, plan a Florida Keys honeymoon vacation. A favorite haunt for playwright Tennessee Williams and novelist and poet Ernest Hemingway, the Florida Keys nurture a free-spirited way of life that is continued today. The water sports and beach attractions make the Florida Keys even more entertaining. You can add a cruise and tour to your honeymoon vacation package, which will offer diving or snorkeling in order to show you North America's only living, coral barrier reef. You can even get in some fishing with the one you love. But the beauty of the Florida Keys is unparalleled. Once you visit the Keys, you'll see why some of the some of the most renowned dive photographers and writers in the world make this their home base.

If you and your new spouse are looking for some hot beach action, combined with the ultimate luxury, make a stop on your Florida honeymoon to South Beach, Miami. Take the opertunity to bask in the sunlight and in the spot light on your honeymoon!Today, it is considered one of the most wealthy and prosperous commercial areas on the beach. Housing some of the bigest names in fame and fourtune, South Beach has become a major entertainment destination with hundreds of nightclubs, restaurants and luxury oceanfront hotels.

And yes, we had to mention Disney World. There are several Disney honeymoon packages that cater to the young at heart. A Disney honeymoon is ideal for Disney fans or travelers who have never been. You can make your stay one day on your honeymoon, or stay at the parks your whole time. Disney World is truly a must-see for any honeymoon couple. From simple counter dining at McDonalds all the way up to the only 5 star, black tie restaurant to be found in the Orlando area, Disney World offers numerous luxury experiences . When combined with the Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach water parks, its pristine golf courses, and other surrounding attractions, the Disney property provides plenty of fun on your Disney honeymoon vacation packages.

For all these reasons and more, consider Florida for your dream honeymoon vacation package

California has become on of the top honeymoon destination in the US, and it’s not very hard to see why. California has been on of the top travel destinations for years, so it’s no surprise to see it pop up on the radar of honeymooners. No matter what you want to see and do on your honeymoon, chances are you can do it in California. In addition, California offers American Honeymooners the luxury of staying within the United States and a number of reasonably priced air carries cater to the Sunshine State.

Full of Surf and Sun

The state that started the surfing craze is famous for honeymooners wanting to experience the famous California beaches. Discover what the Beach Boys were talking about at one of the hundreds of beaches along the south coast. From the well know Seal Beach, to the rocky shores of Malibu Beach to wealthy art town of Laguna Beach to the quirky Venice Beach, there is so much more than sand and great waves to California beaches. Each has its own unique personality, and offers couples interested in a California honeymoon.

Full of Outdoor Adventure

For couples interested in hiking, rafting, camping and horseback riding, a California honeymoon offers a great choice to explore the great outdoors. From the high sierras to the southern sierras, our mountain ranges play host to numerous camping grounds and lodges. California is also the state of Yosemite National Park. And the back woods offer a number of seclude ranches and other resorts that cater to people interested in being close to nature without roughing it. No matter what woodsy activity interests you, there is always something to do.

These are just a few different flavors of a California honeymoon. No matter what style you and your beloved desire for your honeymoon, chances are California offers it. But a California honeymoon really caters to the thousands of couples who want a little bit if everything, all in one place. So if you are interested in sampling the many types of entertainment available in California, consider a California honeymoon to share with your dearest love.

For the couple who love to play in luxury, the glitz and glamour of a Las Vegas honeymoon could be just what the doctor ordered to rid the bride and groom of wedding day stresses. Las Vegas is a great honeymoon destination spot that offers great value and a wide variety of entertainment and activities. This city may be notorious for surprise weddings, but it's also rated among the top honeymoon spots. Vegas is now the king of luxury hotels, offering honeymooning couples with a taste for adventure and upscale accommodation salivating for more.

The high rollers that Vegas has become famous for having changed the atmosphere of some of the most famous hotels in Vegas into luxury honeymoon resorts. True, you can still find hotels with velvet rugs, heart shaped beds and a champagne glass Jacuzzi, but for the most part, the strip has become a place of sophistication and class. You can even find five star resorts at a three star price to attract tourists, and honeymooners, year round. But it's important to keep it all in perspective. The hotel with the best deal may not be the hotel you and your new spouse want to stay at. Think about what amenities and Las Vegas special touches will enhance your fun, and not make you luxury Las Vegas honeymoon seem cheesy. Consider staying at the Rio. Just off the strip, this decently priced hotel is an all suite hotel. Don't be fooled by this catch phrase, a standard room is pretty unremarkable. But for just an extra hundred a night, you can stay in the lap of luxury.

The Venetian is also a great hotel to consider. This hotel features some of the largest guest rooms on the strip. The bathrooms are decorated in marble, and you can stay in a suite with a Jacuzzi tub. Not to mention the Venetian has the amazing array of canal shops, where you and your beloved can take a romantic ride on a gondola while being serenaded by a talented gondolier. For the young and restless honeymoon couple, stay at the young and hip Hard Rock in a suite. This casino will give you and your beloved a chance to live it up with the hip youth who descend on the Hard Rock's world famous pool.

The entertainment in Las Vegas is pretty hard to beat. Simply go to the first floor in whatever hotel you choose, and gamble at a craps or blackjack table. Most casino and resorts offer at least one big headlining performer. From the magic of Penn and Teller, to the sounds of Berry Manilow, to the latest and greatest Broadway show, there is so much to choose from. And at night, the strip glows with a thousand neon lights, and you can catch a show downtown of the Las Vegas experience. Vegas night clubs come alive, with all different kinds of music and atmospheres. You and your honey can share in the excitement.

Whether you're looking for a crazy and eccentric honeymoon romp on fake leopard skin rugs with some low stakes gambling thrown in for fun, or a traditional, high-minded honeymoon of exclusive entertainment and gilded luxury, Las Vegas is your town, baby!

A luxury Hawaii honeymoon surpasses the stuff dreams are made of, especially when you are getting a good deal with American Express Travel. With the amazing sights of turquoise blue water, and beaches kissed with the sun, many honeymoon packages are centered on a Hawaii honeymoon vacation.

According to American Express Tours, Hawaii landscapes all welcome two special people joined together in love. A Hawaii honeymoon package is the perfect way to mark the beginning of a new life together. Hawaii is a luxury honeymoon vacation paradise, full of excitement and adventure. With activities such as swimming, scuba diving, snorkeling or surfing, play with your intended in some of the clearest waters in the world. If these water sports are not enough vacation material for your luxury Hawaii honeymoon vacation, consider some alternatives in the form of mountain biking, hiking and picnicking in secret hideaways. A Hawaii honeymoon package can meet any expectation because of the sheer diversity of the seven main islands. Also, the Hawaii islands are world famous for their hospitable and welcoming natives. And honeymoon couples are always treated no less than the royalty.

Fern fields, dried lava beds, white sandy beaches, underwater corals and beachside getaways are to be found in Hawaii’s islands of Kauai, Oahu and Maui. American Express Exclusives offers a luxury adventure honeymoon package that allows you to fly through the breath-taking beauty of Hawaii as you soar across the island on a zipline. There are American Express Exclusive Hawaii honeymoon packages which offer American Express Travel deals.

Exploring green sand beaches, relaxing at a spa, joining a beach-side party and star-gazing at a clear and unpolluted night sky are all possible in your luxury Hawaii honeymoon vacation. American Express Vacations offers honeymoon packages which suit all budgets. The most affordable Hawaii honeymoon packages are to be found with your AMT American Express Honeymoon Specialist. They can help choose the perfect honeymoon vacation itinerary to follow.

Hawaii is also a hub of activity, offering honeymooning couples no shortage of entertainment, lodging, historical sites, and quiet places to dine while gazing at each other over candlelight.

For the more adventuring honeymooners, AMT American Express Wedding Division can book a tour to Pearl Harbor, help you rent a kite board at Kailua Bay or arrange a surfing lesson on the Waikiki beach. Or you can try a quiet picnic at Honolulu’s Iolani Palace or in the tea house at Valley of the Temples Memorial Park. A sunrise hike to Makapu'u Lighthouse may reveal migrating whales and the silhouette of the island of Molokai. Or set out on a day of art appreciation, topping it off with fine cuisine at the Honolulu Academy of Arts café. No matter what your taste, style or preference, AMT American Express Wedding Division has sent hundreds of clients there before. With over 35 years of experience, trust the most important vacation of your married life to AMT American Express Travel Wedding Division

Introduction

Good things often come in small packages. Aruba is one of them. It is totally equipped with all the elements needed to chill and have fun: powdery, white beaches, crystal waters, fabulous cuisine, casinos and great nightlife. Best of all, the trade winds make the tropical climate palatable. The winds also force the island's trademark, the watapana or divi-divi tree, to grow at a 45-degree angle.

Who goes there?

In a word, everyone. The island caters to the upscale traveller and those looking for a moderately-priced vacation; the party animals and the visitor that likes to curl up with a book on a secluded beach; families and honeymooners.

Where in the world?

Aruba, approximately 184 sq km (70 sq miles), sits in the southern Caribbean, just 20km (15 miles) off the coast of Venezuela. It is the most westerly of the A, B, C islands (Aruba, Bonaire and Curacao) which are all below the hurricane belt. It is part of the Kingdom of The Netherlands.

Beach

It doesn't get any better than a walk on powdery sand and turquoise waters sliding over your feet. Bordering the hotel zone, Palm Beach, located about 17km (11 miles) north of Oranjestad, is often crowded. It is the place for watersports (diving, parasailing, kite surfing) or just lazing in a lounge on the sand. Many prefer the calm surf and sand expanse of Eagle Beach, 20km (15 miles) north of Oranjestad.

Beyond the beach

Not all the wildlife is at the dance clubs. Donkeys, as well as scores of birds and lizards, find Aruba just as appealing as humans do. Nearly 20% of the island is a national park with exotic landscape like petroglyphs, odd rock formations and caves. Learn all about aloe production at Aruba aloe in Oranjestad, the island's charming capital.

Family fun

Shallow Baby Beach, about 14.5km (9 miles) south of Oranjestad just passed San Nicolas, is calm and wading pool-like, so it is perfect for the little ones. Hikes and off-road jeep adventure are fun terra firma trips for everyone. Learn about creatures at the butterfly farm, on J E Irausquin Boulevard in Palm Beach, or the ostrich farm on Makividiri Road.

Retail therapy

Since Aruba has it roots in Holland, think Delft pottery and cheese. The island is also the world's largest producer of aloe. It is available in every form imaginable. Browse the ‘duty free' shops on Oranjestad's primo shopping street Caya G F Betico Croes. Sometimes luxury items (jewellery, cameras, perfumes and so on) are discounted by as much as 25%. But be a savvy shopper. Price and compare in Aruba and before leaving home. The best deals on such items, especially liquor, can be had at the airport. And a word to the wise. Don't even thing about haggling. Locals consider it rude.

A night on the town

No problem looking for action when the sun goes down. The nightlife grooves with 11 casinos and tons of clubs and bars. Things don't start shakin' until around midnight but continues to the wee hours. The funky Kukoo Kunuku, takes revellers to dinner and bar hopping aboard a 50-year-old, brightly coloured bus. The tour operates Monday through Saturday from 1800 until midnight and changes watering holes daily.

Eating out

Cuban, Brazilian, Italian, Japanese, French, Caribbean, seafood. Aruba's eateries run the gamut. Sample local specialities like pan bati (a pancake-like sweet bread), keshi yena (a brown sauced covered, spiced seafood or beef baked in a Gouda cheese shell), or scavechi (marinated fish). To save a little bank, check out the Aruba Gastronomic Association (website: www.arubadining.com). They offer three-course, discount dine-around packages at high end restaurants.

Getting around

Arubus, the island's reliable public transportation, runs every 20 minutes. It will take you practically any place you need to go. Car rentals are available but to navigate the isle's rugged terrain, get a four-wheel drive. For true adventure, rent a Harley.

Exploring further afield

Hop a puddle jumper (Dutch Antilles Express: website: www.flydae.com) to Aruba's neighbours, Bonaire or Curacao. Each has its own personality. While Aruba is party central, Bonaire is laid back. With 86 awesome dive sites and 213 fish species, it is tops with those who like to explore the ocean's bottom. Curacao has fine beaches and lots of watersports but is more cosmopolitan. In fact, it looks like a pastel-coloured Holland with palm trees.

Splashing out

Visit Charlie's Restaurant and Bar on Mainstreet in San Nicolas. Paste your business card on the wall. Everyone else does. This island institution, one of the most popular watering holes on the island, has been around for 65 years. The staff will fill you in on the happenings of the little hamlet of San Nicolas.

Flying in

Aruba Queen Beatrix Airport (AUA)

St John's abounds with history but it is without one of Antigua's 365 beaches. Busy with cruise-ship visitors during the day (not to mention its 45,000 inhabitants), the island's commercial centre has several interesting historic sights and remains popular with day visitors coming for its wide range of duty-free shops. The closest beaches will be found on the nearby Five Islands peninsular and are very fine indeed. The peninsular, a few kilometres west of St John's, has several of the island's better hotels, but the area is primarily gated and inaccessible unless you are a guest.

St John's teems with day-trippers by day and has a few lively restaurants and bars by night, so it draws a wide range of British and American partiers, including families and singles. The resorts in the Five Islands peninsular are primarily geared toward adults.

The beaches closest to St John's are in the Five Islands area, most notably Galley Bay and Deep Bay, though the former is less protected and can have moderate to pounding surf. One beach, at the Hawksbill by Rex Resort, is clothing-optional.

To look beyond the beach, you'll have to look beyond the Five Islands peninsular. In St John's are several interesting historic sights, including the Anglican Cathedral of St John the Divine, between Long and Newgate streets. The Museum of Antigua & Barbuda, in the former courthouse at Church and Market streets, has several hands-on exhibits. It's easy to travel down to historic Nelson's Dockyard in English Harbour, one of the Caribbean's best-preserved historic districts and the only Georgian-era dockyard still in use; in addition to a museum, it's filled with shops and restaurants.

You'll find few shopping opportunities in Five Islands unless you want to limit yourself to the offerings of your hotel's gift shop. Most of the island's shopping opportunities are concentrated in St John's, or at Nelson's Dockyard in English Harbour. Duty-free bargains abound in the shops of St John's Heritage Quay, though the most charming of the island's shops can be found in Redcliffe Quay, also in St John's. Cedars Pottery in Buckley and Rhythm of Blue Gallery in English Harbour are two locally owned shops that produce their own high-quality wares.

St John's has the upscale disco The Coast, but much of the nightlife is in faraway English Harbour. The island has three casinos, the largest being the Grand Princess in Jolly Harbour; the King's Casino in St John's is closer to resorts in the Five Islands area. Sunday-afternoon barbecues at Shirley Heights Lookout start in the afternoon but continue well into the night with reggae and steel-pan bands, drawing a mix of both locals and visitors.

The Jolly Beach area draws a wide range of British and American holidaymakers, including families and singles. Resorts are a mix of large all-inclusives (which draw the majority of visitors) and smaller hotels.

Jolly Beach is a fine stretch of powdery soft sand, but if you are willing to travel a few kilometres south, Darkwood Beach is almost deserted during the week (though popular with locals on weekends), and Johnson's Point/Crab Hill beaches, a bit further south, are even nicer, with calm water for swimming and even a few good beach bars for refreshments.

The Jolly Harbour Marina has some good shops, including an outlet of Quin Farara for duty-free tobacco and liquor, but most of the island's shopping opportunities are concentrated in St John's, or at Nelson's Dockyard in English Harbour. Duty-free bargains abound in the shops of St John's Heritage Quay, though the most charming of the island's stores can be found in Redcliffe Quay, also in St John's. Cedars Pottery in Buckley and Rhythm of Blue Gallery in English Harbour are two locally owned shops that produce their own high-quality wares.

The Jolly Beach area has the best of the island's three casinos, the Grand Princess; its Liquid disco is one of the island's hot spots. The King's Casino is north, in St John's. Castaways is another popular (and sometimes raucous) beach bar in Jolly Harbour, but most nightlife is concentrated in the English Harbour area, where the best bars, pubs, and discos can be found. Sunday-afternoon barbecues at Shirley Heights Lookout start in the afternoon but continue well into the night with reggae and steel-pan bands, drawing a mix of both locals and visitors.

Introduction

Antigua boasts of having 365 beaches, one for every day in the year, so even though you may be staying at a large resort, it's easy enough to escape to a secluded cove where there will be not a soul in sight. With a string of relatively large resort hotels, beautiful Dickenson Bay has one of the island's largest concentration of rooms (the other main concentration is in Jolly Harbour). The beachfront is lined with restaurants, beach bars, and water sports concessions, making it easy to escape your resort's confines if you choose, but you'll have to go into St John's to do any serious shopping. To find nightlife, you'll need to travel south, to English Harbour.

Who goes there?

Dickenson Bay is popular with a wide range of British and American holidaymakers, including families and singles. The large all-inclusives resorts draw the majority of visitors, but there are also some small hotels.

Where in the world?

Antigua is largest of the Leeward Islands of the Caribbean, roughly midway between St Maarten and Guadeloupe. The island's international airport is east of the capital, St John's. Dickenson Bay is a large beachfront area approximately 3km (2 miles) north of St John's and 11km (7 miles) northwest of the airport. It's the most developed area on the island, with a wide range of resorts and activities.

Beach

Dickenson Bay has a long stretch of powdery soft sand and exceptionally calm water. With a wide range of water-sports concessions, bars, and beachfront restaurants, it's an easy place to escape from your resort if you choose. A less developed, though narrower, beach, Runaway Bay, is directly to the south if you crave a less frenetic atmosphere.

Beyond the beach

Antigua is one of the Caribbean's major sailing centres, so trips out on the waves to more isolated snorkelling spots abound. The island's waters are also an unsung diving destination. Guided kayaking trips take you through mangrove forests along the north shore. Harmony Hall is a former sugar plantation, now a gallery and restaurant. Historic Nelson's Dockyard in English Harbour is one of the Caribbean's best-preserved historic districts and the only Georgian-era dockyard still in use; in addition to a museum, it's filled with shops and restaurants.

Family fun

Dickenson Bay resorts draw a fair number of families to its powdery soft beaches. Most of the larger resorts have organised activities for children. Kids always enjoy sailing and snorkelling trips, and you'll find several operations right in Dickenson Bay.

Retail therapy

Shopping is not one of the strong suits of the Dickenson Bay area. Most of the island's shopping opportunities are concentrated in the capital, St John's, or at Nelson's Dockyard in English Harbour. Duty-free bargains abound in the shops of St John's Heritage Quay, though the most charming of the island's shops can be found in Redcliffe Quay, also in St John's. Cedars Pottery in Buckley and Rhythm of Blue Gallery in English Harbour are two locally owned shops that produce their own high-quality wares.

A night on the town

There are a few good beach bars right in Dickenson Bay itself and in nearby Runaway Bay, but much of the nightlife is in faraway English Harbour. The island has three casinos; the King's Casino in St John's is the closest to Dickenson Bay, but the largest casino is the Grand Princess in Jolly Harbour, and it has the island's best disco. Sandhaven, a bar in Runway Bay, is right on the sand, drawing a mix of local cricketers and holidaymakers for cheap burgers every night and live bands on weekends.

Eating out

A proper British breakfast is available at most resorts, but the growth of all-inclusive properties has brought a decline in the number of independent restaurants. Still, there are a few standout establishments, particularly at some of the island's posh resorts and even a few stand-alone restaurants, particularly in Dickenson Bay and St John's.

Getting around

The island's bus service has well-travelled routes from St John's to either Falmouth or English Harbour, but it does not extend to any of the main resort areas. If you are staying in Dickenson Bay, you may not need to rent a car since there are many options for dining and nightlife nearby within walking distance. Organised tours are a popular means to see the island, and taxis (with fixed rates) will do for a few trips out of your resort, though costs will mount quickly if you plan to tour or dine out often.

Exploring further afield

Antigua's sister island, Barbuda, is just 42km (26 miles) north and can be visited easily either by a 15-minute flight or 90-minute ferry ride from St John's. Day tours to see the island's famed Pink Beach and bird sanctuary are easy to arrange but can be costly.

Splashing out

The trendy 'Beach', right in Dickenson Bay, is a casual yet sophisticated mix of lounge and bistro and a popular destination in the immediate area. If you want to dance to reggae and Latin club music, head over to Runway Bay to the club Rush.

Flying in

V C Bird International Airport, St John's (ANU)