Interline Adventures....

THE CARIBBEAN:

ANYWHERE YOU CHOOSE, YOU CAN'T LOSE

One of the beauties of being an interliner is the option of choice. If a plane flies there, virtually any destination is possible. That means lots of options.

This is especially true with the Caribbean. Often called the world's eighth continent, the Caribbean islands and surrounding sea offer an unsurpassed opportunity to sample a wide variety of cultures, people, and experiences. "The Caribbean is ideal for interliners," says Michael Youngman, director of marketing for the Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) and former directory of international marketing for American Airlines. "The variety of destinations means you can find anything you want in a getaway somewhere in the Caribbean." The CTO's extensive Caribbean Vacation Planner (available by calling (800) 356-9999, ext. 799) provides a great overview of most destinations.

Tropical weather, stunning scenery, cultural and historical variety, and colorful people and places all combine to make the Caribbean special to interliners. It's not a question of going. It's just a question of when and where.

Anytime is the right time to head to the Caribbean. You can escape the winter cold or take advantage of price breaks in the summer. Just go.

Where to go is a tougher question. It all depends on what you want to see and do while there. Rather than choosing one or two islands, some interliners opt to take a cruise (see below), visiting several islands and making plans to return to those they like. There's an island for everyone and the following island overviews can help you find your perfect paradise in the Caribbean. But first, a little history, culture, and geography provide an introduction.

HISTORY

The Arawak-speaking Indians who first inhabited the Caribbean islands came from South America. Traces of their existence can be found on Puerto Rico, Cuba, Hispaniola (Haiti and the Dominican Republic), Jamaica, and as far north as the Bahamas.

Christopher Columbus "discovered" the Caribbean region in 1492 and changed the face of the islands forever. The indigenous Indians were virtually eliminated, beginning centuries of European influence throughout the Caribbean that still exists today.

Britain, Denmark, France, Germany, the Netherlands, and Sweden followed Spain in establishing European outposts in the West Indies. The riches of the Caribbean caused many conflicts, with islands changing hands often. This accounts for much of the cultural diversity throughout the islands.

The Napoleonic wars and subsequent treaties set many of the political and social connections that exist today. Slavery slowly came to an end in the Caribbean and each of the islands began to depend more on tourism for economic growth.

The U.S. has slowly developed interests in the Caribbean. In 1917, Puerto Rico's people became American citizens and the U.S. purchased the Danish Virgin Islands, forming the U.S. Virgin Islands. Of course, an ever-increasing number of U.S. vacationers to everywhere in the Caribbean continues to influence the experiences and the people.

The modern Caribbean features a multitude of colonies, republics, states, and independent nations. The unique history has led to a picture perfect present.

CARIBBEAN CULTURE

The Caribbean is a cultural cornucopia. The varied European, African, American, and other influences are apparent throughout the islands. It's like a worldly microcosm for interliners.

The people of the Caribbean have a rich cultural heritage. The history, the food, the music, and art are as varied as the islands. English, Spanish, French, Dutch, and African influences are present throughout the islands.

Chelle Koster Walton, in her excellent book Caribbean Ways: A Cultural Guide, says, "A new naitonalistic pride continues to grow thoughout the islands of the Caribbean, much to the pleasure of the traveler who has left the beach. Once restricted folkways surface in indigenous cuisine, arts, literature, religion, and festivals. The Caribbeans today wear proudly the madras of their plaid heritage."

This melting pot menagerie is an interliner's dream. With so much to experience, it's just a matter of picking the right island. That takes a little geography lesson.

GEOGRAPHY

The Caribbean Sea spans about one million square miles and packs millions of vacation opportunities into a small space. It is framed by the Greater Antilles on the north (Cuba, Jamaica, Hispaniola, and Puerto Rico), the numerous Lesser Antilles on the east, the South American coastlines of Venezuela, Columbia, and several smaller countries in the south, and Central America and Mexico's Yucatan on the west (we include the Bahamas in this roundup because they are inevitably linked with the Caribbean).

This geographic diversity means many possibilities for the travelling interliner. There are beautiful beaches, stunning resorts, bustling cities, nature preserves, lush mountains, and so much more. Here's an overview:

Anguilla--Part of the British Leewards, this small, flat, and relatively quiet island rhymes with "vanilla." It's famous for beautiful beaches, like Road Bay and Shoal Bay, as well as a popular Carnival in early-August.

Antigua/Barbuda--The largest of the British Leewards, busy Antigua has beautiful beaches and resorts. It's capital, St. John's, features a colorful market and many cultural possibilities. Antigua's location also makes it a great base for exploring much of the Caribbean. Quiet Barbuda is just 26 miles north and is great for a daytrip or a seriously secluded vacation.

Aruba--Part of the Dutch "ABC" islands (with Bonaire and Curacao), Aruba is small and famous for its stretch of large resorts and casinos along seven miles of beautiful beaches on the north shore. Windsurfing and other watersports are very popular.

Bahamas--Though not technically part of the Caribbean, the Bahamas are certainly thought of as a Caribbean destination. From bustling Nassau and Freeport to the various quieter Out Islands like Bimini, the Abacos, and many others, the Bahamas have virtually anything an interliner could want in an island vacation. Their proximity to the U.S. makes them perfect for flexible interline adventurers.

Barbados--The Caribbean's easternmost island is now independent, but it features many British influences. The island is known for postcard-like beaches, pretty greathouses, a wide variety of accommodations, and some of the friendliest people in the Caribbean. It serves as a great introduction to the best that the Caribbean offers.

Belize--The Caribbean coastline and barrier islands of this tiny Central American country is a scuba diving paradise. The capital of Belize City and many inland eco-adventures also await.

Bonaire--Part of the ABCs, Bonaire is best-known for its rich underwater marine life. Topside, the Dutch influence, the Washington/Slagbaai National Park, and the pink flamingos are all popular draws.

British Virgin Islands--The BVI offer a wide variety of islands and great sailing. Though tourism is expanding, these islands are still among the quietest in the Caribbean. Tortola is the main island, featuring Mount Sage (primeval rain forest and great views). Pretty Virgin Gorda features legendary Little Dix Bay Hotel and many other quaint properties. Even more secluded possibilities include: Anegada, Guana Island, Jost Van Dyke, Marina Cay, Mosquito Island, and Peter Island.

Cayman Islands--This British outpost is a scuba diving mecca, consisting of Grand Cayman, Cayman Brac, and Little Cayman. Grand Cayman features many resorts, famed Seven Mile Beach, interesting sightseeing, and great diving. Cayman Brac and Little Cayman are much smaller and quieter versions of Grand Cayman, appealing to serious scuba divers and Caribbean veterans.

Columbia--The much-publicized drug problems have made Columbia's Caribbean coast unpopular. But those who go find Columbia's 1,000-mile coastline has changed little since European ships first made landfall in the 16th century. Small resorts, tiny fishing villages, and incredible stretches of beaches await brave visitors.

Costa Rica--The "Rich Coast" is rich with Caribbean beach resorts and watersports pursuits, as well as inland mountains, rivers, and rainforests that are world-famous. The capital city of San Jose is also popular with many interliners.

Curacao--The third of the Dutch ABCs combines the great diving of Bonaire with the tourism amenities of Aruba. Along with varied resorts, the capital of Willemsted and the St. Cristoffel Reserve Park are popular attractions.

Dominica--This mountainous green island is the largest of the British Windwards. Though the beaches aren't as beautiful as in much of the Caribbean, visitors love Dominica's lush landscape of countryside, rain forests, and waterfalls. Hiking tours are popular on Dominica, with Morne Trios Pitons National Park, Sulphur Springs, and Cabrits National Park among many highlights.

Dominican Republic--Covering approximately the eastern two-thirds of Hispaniola, the Dominican Republic is the second largest country in the Caribbean. The island is relatively inexpensive and offers great opportunities for urban, beach, and mountain experiences.

Grenada--Known as the "spice island," Grenada is the most southern point in the British Windwards. Grenada is lush, with beautiful beaches, mountains, Grand Etang National Park, and quaint accommodations. The capital, St. George's, is among the prettiest ports in the Caribbean.

Guadeloupe--Part of the French West Indies, Guadeloupe features French finesse coupled with Caribbean charm. The island is actually combination of two islands: rolling Grande Terre on the east and ruggedly mountainous Basse Terre on the west. From the resorts to the great outdoors, Guadeloupe offers a wide range of experiences.

Guyana--Guyana is definitely one of the last true frontiers in the Caribbean region. Located on the northeast coast of South America, the main attraction of Guyana is inland, with a wide variety of jungles, rain forests, waterfalls, and savannahs. The capital city of Georgetown is well worth a visit before venturing inland.

Haiti--Once a popular vacation destination, Haiti is definitely not a typical Caribbean destination these days. Thanks to the fledgling democracy, beachfront resorts are now opening and Haiti is again becoming popular with adventurous interliners.

Honduras--The Caribbean coastline of Honduras is relatively unexplored, though several small resorts and scuba diving operations have become popular with adventurous Caribbean explorers.

Jamaica--This is the place for some great vacations, mon! Jamaica features famous resort areas like Montego Bay, Negril, and Ocho Rios. Away from the tourists, the island's mountainous landscape, unique culture, reggae music, and fun food make for a jammin' place to visit.

Martinique--The largest and most sophisticated island of the French West Indies, Martinique has a definite French flavor. Highlights for interliners include the city of Fort-de-France, some of the best restaurants in the Caribbean, and Carnival time just before Lent.

Mexican Caribbean--Thanks to Caribbean resort destinations like Cancun and the island of Cozumel, Mexico is a popular Caribbean hotspot. Big beach resorts along Cancun's famed beach, diving on Cozumel, and inland Mayan ruins make the Mexican Caribbean bueno for interliners.

Montserrat--This tiny island in the British Leewards is great for a peaceful getaway. Montserrat offers limited, but varied, tourist facilities and a quieter Caribbean. The town of Plymouth, Chances Peak, and Galway's Soufriere are perfect for interliners.

Puerto Rico--Under the jurisdiction of the U.S., this island is a world apart. Puerto Rico serves as a perfect introduction to the Caribbean. It's easy to reach and easy to explore. Highlights include beautiful resorts, small country inns, lush mountains, the El Junque rain forest, lots of culture and history, quaint Old San Juan, and the small islands of Culebra, Mona, and Vieques.

Saba and St. Eustatius--These tiny isaldns are a relatively unknown gem. The extinct volcano island of Saba is cone-shaped and draws adventurous visitors more for its lush steep landscapes than its beaches. It's popular as a unique trip from St. Maarten. St. Eustatius (Statia) is a serene combination of gray sand beaches and inland outdoor adventures.

St. Barthelemy--Known to many as St. Barts or St. Barths, this French West Indies enclave has long been a hangout for the rich and famous. Interliners will find St. Barts rich in opportunities, with the storybook capital town of Gustavia, beautiful white sand beaches, and interesting Creole cuisine.

St. Kitts/Nevis--St. Kitts and Nevis are divided by a two-mile strait in the British Leewards. St. Kitts is less-touristed than Antigua and offers many interesting Caribbean experiences, like scenic Brimstone Hill, Mount Liamuiga, the Sugar Factory (and many cane fields), and the Carib Beer Plant. Nearby Nevis is even less-touristed, with steep terrain and beautiful scenery (Pinney's Beach is one of the prettiest in the Caribbean).

St. Lucia--The second largest of the Windward Islands, this British oasis offers everything to the interliner: lush beauty, lots of wide sandy beaches, mountainous regions, banana plantations, quaint villages, and smiling people.

St. Martin/Sint Maarten--Part of the Dutch Windwards in the Leewards and French West Indies, this half-French and half-Dutch island gives you more bang for your buck (and gilder or franc). The Dutch side has major tourist facilities and casinos, while the French side features posh resorts and excellent restaurants.

St. Vincent and the Grenadines--These lesser-known charmers are great for exploration. St. Vincent packs much into a small area, with lush mountainous terrain, beautiful beaches, wonderful waterfall, and colorful coral reefs. To the south of St. Vincent, the Grenadines chain features more of the same unspoiled Caribbean landscapes. Some of the best options are Bequia, Mustique, Canouan, and Palm Island.

Suriname--This South American coastal gem is an ecotourist's dream, with the capital city of Paramaribo and small villages along the "wild coast," as well as inland rainforests, rivers, and more. It's one of the least densely populated countries in the world.

Trinidad and Tobago--This two-island nation offers much Caribbean culture in a small area. Trinidad is famous for its carnival and the beat of its calypso music. Tobago is a tiny island that is well-known to many tourists for its beaches and resorts.

Turks & Caicos--This island chain boasts more than 230 miles of white powdery beaches, with world-renowned scuba diving and a wide variety of resorts. There are eight principal islands for interliners to explore. Like the Bahamas, their proximity to the U.S. makes them perfect for flexible interline adventurers.

U.S. Virgin Islands--This American paradise packs all of the best of the Caribbean into three islands. Bustling St. Thomas offers excellent shopping, many beautiful beaches, and several new upscale resorts. Nearby St. John is much quieter, with a stunning National Park covering more than half of the island. St. Croix is 40 miles to the south and is the largest and most diverse of the three. The ease of travel to and within the U.S. Virgin Islands (same language and currency) make them a huge draw to U.S.-based interliners.

Venezuela--There's more than 1,750 miles of Caribbean coastline in Venezuela and little of it has been seen by tourists. Stretching all the way from Aruba to Trinidad, the Venezuelan coast features sandy beaches, small fishing villages, and lagoons. Coastal highlights include the city of Caracas, Margarita Island offshore, and many small resorts dotting the region.

CARIBBEAN CRUISES

Rather than visiting just one or two spots in the Caribbean, many interliners opt for a cruise that stops at many different ports throughout the region. A cruise is a great way to see many destinations in a short time, with a wide array of islands, cultures, and activities awaiting cruisers at each port of call.

"The Caribbean is by far the most popular cruise destination," says James G. Godsman, president of Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA). "The islands in this part of the world are so diverse and interliners are finding that a cruise offers the opportunity to experience many cultures in a fairly shot period of time. By sampling a combination of islands on a cruise, interliners can get an idea of where they might want to return for a longer stay."

Cruises depart out of popular ports like Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Port Everglades, Tampa, New Orleans, Houston, and San Juan, as well as smaller ports throughout the continental U.S. and the Caribbean. Once at sea, on-board activities (and many meals) keep interliners happy until they wake up in a new port virtually every day. One of the beauties about cruising the Caribbean is that interliners can see many islands in a brief period of time and then return to favorite spots by air for a longer stay.

A wide variety of cruise lines and ship call the Caribbean home. Some of the most popular choices include: Carnival Cruise Lines; Celebrity Cruises; Commodore Cruise Line; Costa Cruise Line; Crystal Cruises; Cunard; Disney Cruise Line; Holland America Line; Norwegian Cruise Line; Premier Cruises; Princess Cruises; Radisson Seven Seas Cruises; Regal Cruises; Royal Caribbean; Seabourn; Silversea Cruises; Star Clippers; Windjammer Cruises; and Windstar Cruises. If you're into Caribbean cruises with much less company, sailing charters with renowned companies like The Moorings (800/368-9991) are an ideal choice.

Thus, rather you choose to cruise or pick a specific tropical destination, any place is the right place and any time is the right time when it comes to visiting the Caribbean. It's simply the perfect destination for interliners, mon.

SIDEBAR

CARIBBEAN CONTACTS

--Anquilla-(800) 553-4939.

--Antigua/Barbuda-(212) 541-4117.

--Aruba-(800) TO ARUBA.

--Bahamas-(800) BAHAMAS.

--Barbados-(800) 221-9831.

--Belize-(800) 624-0686.

--Bonaire-(800) BONAIRE.

--British Virgin Islands Tourist Board-(800) 835-8530.

--Cayman Islands-(800) 346-3313.

--Costa Riva-(212) 425-2620

--Curacao-(800) 3 CURACAO.

--Dominica-(212) 475-7542.

--Dominican Republic-(888) 374-6361.

--Grenada-(800) 927-9554.

--Guadeloupe-(888) 448-2335.

--Guyana-(011-592-2) 50807 or (212) 527-3228.

--Haiti-(212) 636-9530.

--Honduras-(800) 410-9608.

--Jamaica-(800) 233-4582.

--Martinique-(800) 391-4909.

--Mexican Caribbean-(800) 44 MEXICO.

--Montserrat-(800) 557-0017.

--Puerto Rico-(800) 223-6530.

--Saba and St. Eustatius-(800) 722-2394.

--St. Barthelemy-(800) 391-4909.

--St. Kitts/Nevis-(800) 582-6208.

--St. Lucia Tourist Board-(800) 456-3984.

--St. Martin-(212) 838-7800.

--St. Maarten-(800) 786-2278.

--St. Vincent and the Grenadines-(212) 687-4981.

--Suriname-(305) 262-9992.

--Trinidad and Tobago-(800) 748-4224.

--Turks & Caicos-(800) 241-0824

--U.S. Virgin Islands-(800) 372-USVI.

--Venezuela-(212) 826-1660.