Antigua boasts an intricate coastline of bays, coves, and inlets, and a plethora of white-sand beaches. Set inside one of the island’s great natural harbors, St. John’s is the bustling capital, maritime hub and center for commerce, including a lively farmers’ and crafts market. The British left a lasting imprint on the city, from Fort James and Fort Barrington guarding the harbor entrance to the gleaming white towers of the landmark St. John’s Cathedral. Inside the 18th-century Court House, the Museum of Antigua and Barbuda showcases local history dating to the first Arawak settlements.

The resort town of Les Trois-Îlets sits on Le Diamant Peninsula. With gorgeous views of the capital and the Mont Pelee volcano across the waters of Fort-de-France Bay, this port offers easy access to southern Martinique’s gorgeous beaches. Napoleon Bonaparte’s first wife, Josephine, was born here and her family’s former sugar estate and gardens are now the Pagerie Museum. The museum Maison de la Canne, set in an old distillery, offers insights into the economy of sugar, while the Savannah of Slaves, an open-air museum and park, highlights the human impact.