Caribbean - famous name, unknown islands

Who among us hasn't thought at least once while planning a vacation, how nice it would be to lie on the sandy beaches of the Caribbean? Each of us has already heard of the dreamy Caribbean, of the small islands between which luxury cruise ships transport passengers...

..., and on the beaches they are welcomed by beautiful locals with Caribbean music and the delicacies of Caribbean cuisine.

But what about the Caribbean? Where are they located, are they spread out and how many islands belong to the Caribbean? The vast area southeast of the American coast and north of South America, formed by more than seven thousand islands, is also called West Indian Archipelago, because it was on these islands that Christopher Columbus landed in 1492, thinking he had sailed to India. The names we've all heard are not over yet: the Caribbean is divided into the Greater Antilles, which include Jamaica, Cuba, Puerto Rico and the island of Hispaniola, shared by Haiti and the Dominican Republic, and the Lesser Antilles, where exotic names there is no end to the islands. Although geographically they already lie in the Atlantic Ocean, the Bahamas and the Turks and Caicos Islands are also often considered to be part of the Caribbean. It is interesting that the archipelago is divided into 30 areas, most of which are independent countries, and some islands are overseas territories of the Netherlands, Great Britain, France and the USA.

Caribbean festivals
In Europe, the Caribbean is known primarily as a winter escape from the snow and ice, but the warm seas and atmosphere in the Caribbean are not the only reason to visit. Despite the amazing range of outdoor activities, the many Caribbean festivals are a wonderful way to discover the culture of the islands. It is the most popular Caribbean festival carnival. Most of the islands celebrate their carnival during our holiday, the Dutch part of the island of Saint Martin, the Cayman Islands, Haiti and Jamaica and some others celebrate their carnival during the Easter week. Visitors to the U.S. Virgin Islands can experience the birth of Carnival on the island of St. Thomas at the end of April, on St. Lucia, Antigua and Barbuda in July, on Grenada in August, and on St. Kitts the carnival ends the year, as it is celebrated for a week from Christmas. Music is the most important part of popular festivals and events, as it is written in the genes of the population that has flocked and mingled in the Caribbean for centuries and still today. It is one of the many popular music festivals Barbados Jazz Festival. It usually takes place in January, the month when crowds gather for a different festival in the US Virgin Islands called St. Croix Blues and Heritage Festival. In February, you should go to Jamaica and attend the Glabe festival Negril Music Festival. It is not difficult to follow the sounds of jazz in May. It takes place at the beginning of the month KLM Jazz Festival in Curacão, in the middle of the month the venues at the Santa Lucia International Festival come alive, and at the end of the month, jazz lovers can meet in Puerto Rico or visit the jazz festival in Antigua. Don't miss the festival in June Ocho Rios Jazz in Jamaica, but we can also switch to other music genres at the music festival on the island of St. Kitties. Reagge lovers make a pilgrimage to Jamaica in late July or early August to Reggae Sumfest, while lovers of Latin rhythms also rejoice in July, as the Dominican Republic hosts Merengue Festival. A completely different festival takes place in Puerto Rico in mid-February. The inhabitants pass on their rich tradition to the younger generations The Coffee Festival, when the coffee is harvested. Barbadian farmers also traditionally celebrate the end of the crop growing season harvest festival in late July or early August, which is one of the most famous Caribbean events. In the Cayman Islands, they remember their history in Pirate week, when pirates take over the power in the last week of October. Lovers of the sea gather in Antigua at the end of April Ancient sailing week, which is attended by as many as 1,500 competitors.

Caribbean for the active
Lounging on the beach? Watching a beautiful sunset? Dozing in a hammock? If the aforementioned activities seem like a waste of time, then you can rest easy because the Caribbean offers more than just a day on the beach and a picturesque sunset. Many hotels and resorts offer special vacation packages that also include tennis or golf. Golf fans are especially enamored with the famous courses designed by the best golf course architects. Courses can be found on most of the Caribbean islands, with the best located in the Bahamas, Puerto Rico, Jamaica and the Dominican Republic. The most attractive, of course, is the blue Caribbean Sea, which offers excellent opportunities for snorkeling, diving and fishing. Thanks to its fascinating underwater life, the Caribbean is one of the most popular diving destinations in the world. Beneath the calm surface of the Caribbean waters lies a magical world of colorful and exotic wildlife. Divers prefer to go on their holidays to the Cayman and Virgin Islands. The range of water-related sports includes fishing, windsurfing has become extremely popular in recent years, followed by kiting and parasailing, while the rivers in the interior of the islands offer opportunities for rafting and kayaking. Many visitors use a trip to the Caribbean to reconnect with nature. Quite a few islands are famous for their extremely rich vegetation, and the lush areas are home to many plant species. Eco-conscious visitors can explore the interior of the Caribbean islands in a number of ways. We can go on hiking tours, camp in beautiful parks or ride mountain bikes around the islands. Cycling is not monotonous, as we can refresh ourselves under waterfalls, climb a volcanic peak or stop, observe and identify countless species of birds. One of the most beautiful cycling routes leads around the island Barbuda, where we can also drive to the famous Pink Sand Beach, which the prestigious travel magazine Conde Nast Travel ranked among the ten most beautiful beaches in the world!

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