Apr 21, 2015

Antigua

In 1784 the legendary Admiral Horatio Nelson sailed to Antigua and established Great Britain’s most important Caribbean base. Little did he know that over 200 years later the same unique characteristics that attracted the Royal Navy would transform Antigua and Barbuda into one of the Caribbean’s premier tourist destinations.

Antigua is an island not only rich in history but also rich in beautiful beaches, great restaurants and home to some fabulous villas. Easy to access with direct flights out of Gatwick and Manchester, why not make this your next Caribbean villa retreat?

Antigua is the largest of the English-speaking Leeward Islands, and lying 30 miles due north is its sister island Barbuda, a flat coral island with an area of only 68 square miles.

If you can tear yourself away from the luxuries of your villa, then there are plenty of places to visit! Shirley Heights, once a military building and fortress, is best known today for breathtaking views of English Harbour. The English Harbour area itself is the main focus of the fifteen square miles of Nelson’s Dockyard National Park and was initially developed as a base for the British Navy, serving as the headquarters of the fleet of the Leeward Islands during the turbulent years of the late 18^th century. Today, Nelson’s Dockyard has been completely restored and is the only Georgian dockyard in the world. The island’s capital, St. John’s is also well worth a visit, here you will find the island’s museum housed in the 1750’s Courthouse, St. John’s Cathedral, The Botanical Gardens and duty-free shopping at the Cruise Port Terminals.

For those looking for extra seclusion and privacy, Jumby Bay is a private island located off Antigua and offers a selection of luxury villas and estate homes.