Barbados
Barbados is one of the most popular Caribbean islands for Britons. It lies between the calm, clear waters of the Caribbean and the dramatic Atlantic. Barbados is celebrated for its white, soft-sand beaches and towering palms. It's the playground of the rich with some of the best hotels and sports facilities in the West Indies. This is an island of steel drums, afternoon tea, sugar cane plantations and great nightlife.

Cuba
Cuba is a beautiful mix of mountain ranges and plains. One of the main attractions for many people is visiting a real live communist country. The people are exceptionally friendly, the food delicious and the music loved throughout the world. Spot the old American cars and buy communist posters and memorabilia. There are more than 200 bays and 289 beaches to explore.

Dominican Republic
Compared with other islands in the region, this is a big country. The Dominican Republic together with Haiti makes up the island of Hispaniola. Dom Rep has its own distinctive Spanish-speaking culture with its own cuisine, culture and music. It's a firm favourite for British holidaymakers in search of value-for-money Caribbean breaks.

Jamaica
This island is the home of reggae and rastas, rum and spice. There are great beaches, mountainous interiors and a laid-back attitude that is famous throughout the world. There are also many remnants of Jamaica's colonial past as well as smugglers' caves, tales of piracy and buccaneers. The island is also celebrated for great food and beer and a welcome that is second to none.

Bahamas
More than 700 tiny islands make up the Bahamas. There is excellent deep-sea fishing plus fine beaches and diving, while the interior contains beautiful lakes and botanical gardens. No matter where you are, you won't have any difficulty finding plenty of restaurants serving Bahamian cuisine and fresh local seafood at good prices.

Trinidad and Tobago
Trinidad and Tobago have exotic flora and fauna and stunning scenery. There are some excellent beaches, unspoilt rainforest, and a bustling street life. Every year Trinidad plays host to the second-largest party in the world called Carnival. One type of holiday that's getting more and more popular there is the eco-holiday - Trinidad is a stunning place to watch birds.

St Lucia
St Lucia is one of the prettiest islands in the Caribbean with mountains of more than 3,000ft, covered with lush vegetation and banana plantations. There are unspoilt beaches - some with dark volcanic sand, sheltered by breathtaking coral reefs. Caribbean fever hits the island every May when the Jazz festival comes to town for four days of non-stop music, drink and dancing.

St Kitts and Nevis
St Kitts seems to embody a kind of lush tropical paradise usually associated with the South Pacific. It's an intoxicating blend of sunlight, sea air and fantastically abundant vegetation with the cloud-fringed peak of Mount Liamuiga, a dormant volcano, at its centre. On Nevis, too, the ground rises upward into a cloud forest filled with elusive green vervet monkeys and brilliant tropical flowers.

Antigua
A favourite with people who want to lie in the sun, the island's landscape is also stunning, with gently rolling hills, tranquil bays and pretty harbours. Antigua has great appeal with yachtsmen and carnival-goers. The Antigua Sailing Week in April is one of the most celebrated sporting events in the Caribbean.

Puerto Rico
This US-owned island has a rich Latin flavour combined with modern American influences. The island's colonial heritage has been preserved in the various museums, galleries, buildings and churches. Explore the ancient Spanish fortress of El Morro and cool green mountains in the interior. It's an island of many faces and golden beaches, historical relics, festive nightlife and friendly people.

Source: Teletext Holidays - September 2006