Caribbean

Consisting of a region in the Caribbean Sea, the Caribbean Islands is made up of more than 7,000 islands, reefs, cays, and islets. It is also called the West Indies because when Christopher Columbus arrived there in 1492 he thought that he just reached the Indies, which was located in Asia.   The Caribbean or West Indies is composed of the Antilles divided into the Greater and Lesser Antilles, the Bahamas, and Turks and Caicos. Its original inhabitants were called the Arawaks and Caribs, who were the first people Columbus encountered when he arrived on the islands.   The West Indies climate is classified as subtropical with warm, steady breezes, and temperatures change very little from season to season. The region savours year-round sunlight with the latter part of the year wetter than the first part.   Caribbean holidays are best enjoyed on the sea, or frolicking along the pristine coastlines of the region. The sea features a trove of colourful coral reefs, a myriad marine life like schools of fishes and turtles. The mere mention of the word Caribbean conjures endless days under the sun and lazing on the sands with a cold margarita in one hand.   Every Caribbean city boasts something different, affording travellers a variety of activities to do and a number of sights to see, but most of which will have to involve the sand and the sea for which this region is famous for.   Reef diving and snorkelling are two of the most popular activities when in the Caribbean. Almost all of the islands within the West Indies offer guided tours of the rich marine treasures of the region. The Bahamas, Cayman Islands, Tobago, and Saba are just some of the islands that offer scuba diving services. Meanwhile, the Dominica, St. Lucia, and Martinique offer mountain hiking or nature trail trekking.   Travel to the Caribbean if you want the perfect place to relax and take some time off from the frenetic city life. The people here are pretty friendly and welcoming and the atmosphere gives off that laid-back vibe ideal for a holiday getaway. Although, the islands here are just a few miles of sea away from each other, they can be surprisingly different. There are those that are more developed than others. Some offer great restaurants and a lively mix of culture, dance, and music.