7 Nights Caribbean, Southern

The capital of Martinique (and the largest city in the French West Indies) possesses a flavor more reminiscent of Paris than the Caribbean. Turn-of-the-century buildings housing boutiques and cafes, a public market and narrow streets are proof of this

Pointe-à-Pitre is a city on the island of Grande-Terre, in Guadeloupe, a French-governed archipelago in the Caribbean. Its known for its lively markets, like the Marché de la Darse, where fishermen sell their catch from boats at the harbor. Cafes and colonial homes cluster around the grassy Place de la Victoire. The Saint-John Perse Museum features 19th-century Creole interiors and exhibits on the poet Alexis Léger.

The Dutch capital of St. Maarten is widely known for colonial architecture. Its pastel buildings, often embellished with gingerbread and fretwork trim, surround shaded courtyards and hug cobblestone streets. Philipsburg has a well-earned reputation as a shopper's paradise, and local crafts, exotic foods and elegant imports are available at duty-free prices.

The former haunt of pirates, the Dutch and the English and Tortolas main town, Road Town is within reach of secluded beaches and hidden coves. The island displays the same leisurely pace as other British Virgin Islands, with festivals and regattas across the calendar. Helicopter and sea charters and diving are popular activities. On land, the ruins of Fort Burt and the still functioning Callwood Rum Distillery provide fun daytrips. Catch a cab between sights or rent a car to get out of town.

The capital of St. Kitts has shook off hurricanes, earthquakes, floods and fires and has morphed into an unpretentious British-flavored retreat. Victorian stone block buildings laced with gingerbread trim and black and grey sand beaches are the city's most notable attractions.

A staunchly British Antiguan port, St. John's has, according to legend, a beach for each day of the year. Solidly West Indian in flavor, the capital is awash is weathered, pastel-colored houses, intoxicatingly colorful markets, restored buildings and stoic forts.

The capital of Martinique (and the largest city in the French West Indies) possesses a flavor more reminiscent of Paris than the Caribbean. Turn-of-the-century buildings housing boutiques and cafes, a public market and narrow streets are proof of this