Beaches

As the saying goes, "there are 365 beaches in Antigua, one for each day of the year". Finding a beach is far from a challenge for visitors; it's choosing from such a diverse variety that might take some time.

The northwest coast is home to Dickenson Bay and Runaway Bay, and is more orientated to those who prefer a holiday packed with activities Beaches closest to the island's capital - St Johns', Fort James and Deep Bay - are more popular for the locals, and Galley Bay attracts the surfers and evening joggers. For those more in tune with nature, a series of four crescent-shaped beaches at Hawksbill, north of the island, will cater for the nudist in you.

The beaches of the hilly southwest of Antigua are generally less developed. Places like Rendezvous Bay and Doigs Beach, both located on the central southern coast, are quiet and un-commercialised - well worth the rough travel necessary to reach them.

On the southeast corner of the island is Half Moon Bay now a National Park, and Long Bay, both good choices for family enjoyment.

Nightlife

While your hotel will have its own programme of entertainment it's worth venturing out to get a taste of the party atmosphere, Antiguan style. Antigua's steel bands are thought to be some of the best in the Caribbean, and the calypso singers, folkloric groups and limbo dancers will keep you entertained well into the early hours.

If you fancy trying your luck, the Grand Princess Casino on Jolly Harbour is recommended. Not only can you try and win your fortune, but there's a restaurant, internet café, disco and even a fitness centre! Other venues include the St James Club and the King's Casino on Heritage Quay.

For nightclubs, 18 Carat in St Johns is the place to be seen. Only opened in 2002, it's already established as the island's coolest club, with both a covered and open-air dance floor. Lashings is a popular haunt for the local cricketers and has a fun and friendly atmosphere, while Millers by the Sea is known for its excellent happy hour. Ribbit Nightclub, also in St Johns, is a great place for those of you who love to stay out late and dance with the locals.

For a more relaxed vibe, Shirley Heights Lookout is a relaxed venue where you can enjoy a BBQ to the sounds of a steel band. Celebrities like Whitney Houston have chilled out here and watched the sunsets - the best in town

The Admiral's Inn at English Harbour has also seen some famous guests, including Prince Charles and Richard Burton. Here you can listen to live steel bands on Thursday and Saturday nights whilst sipping a daiquiri.

Food, Drink and Shopping

The national dish, which you should certainly, try is Pepperpot, a combination of squash, okra, aubergine, spinach, pumpkin, meat and cornmeal dumplings. Indeed, most of the local cuisine is heavy and based on meat, beans and dumplings. Fungee, is a type of dumpling made from cornmeal and okra, which you will no doubt come across during your stay.

Other local dishes include saltfish, barbeque chicken, suckling pig and callalloo soup (made with spinach and cream, and flavoured with crab). Spices are also an important part of local cooking and you are often given a bowl of chilli sauce to accompany your meal (proceed with caution!)

Fresh fruit and vegetables always play a huge part in the local cuisine and fried platin, breadfruit, sweet potatoes and beans are readily available on street market stalls. As for fruit, melons, mangoes, papayas, oranges, grapefruits, bananas and coconuts are all on hand; eaten fresh, or blended into a smoothie, they makes a delicious snack any time of the day.

Seafood such as shrimp, lobster, shark and octopus are readily available, along with the local catch of the day, which is often barbequed and seasoned with spices. Fresh pancakes stuffed with curried potatoes, or chicken, make an alternative option to fish, along with pumpkin soup and goat stew.

Moving onto drink and Wadadli is the local beer, although other Caribbean brews can be found, such as Red Stripe from Jamaica and Banks from Barbados. To be truly Antiguan, however, you need to be seen with a glass of rum. Drink it in punches, daiquiris, or just straight with ice.

.Friday and Saturday mornings is when the vibrant farmers' market is held on the southern edge of St Johns. Folk crafts, colourful tropical fruits and a buzzing crowd make for a lively and enjoyable shop for any tourist. Equally, spending the day shopping in the capital is a fantastic and cultural experience, as Antigua has a wide variety of shops and boutiques. The new Heritage Quay in St Johns offers a selection of duty free shopping with quality leather, perfumes and jewellery. Nearby, Redcliffe Quay sells beautifully embellished Antiguan hand-made gifts and cool Caribbean clothing. Also, visit the galleries displaying local arts and crafts and you can purchase your own Caribbean treasure to take home with you.