Antigua and Barbuda, a twin-island Caribbean nation in the Lesser Antilles, is renowned for its sugar-sand beaches and aquamarine seas.
Sure, this West Indies wonder, located between Guadeloupe and St Kitts, is a haven for beach lovers (like us) but there's plenty more to see and do. While the hotel accommodations are stellar, make sure you get out and explore. In Antigua and Barbuda, we encountered some of the warmest people we've ever met on our travels.
One of our most memorable experiences was getting to know Malique and Ashante Williams, of Amenta Wellness Journeys. Malique led an early morning yoga session amid curious cows. He then took us on a hike to a significant indigenous site where we viewed unusual hillside rock formations with interesting stories behind them. Afterwards, we tucked into scrumptious vegan delights prepared by chef Ashante as Malique played a steel pan on a remote beach that truly felt like paradise. The couple have just opened vegan restaurant Metanoia in St John's, which we cannot wait to visit on our next visit to Antigua (because we'll definitely be back!).
A tour of Unesco World Heritage-listed Antigua Naval Dockyard, commonly known as Nelson's Dockyard, and Clarence House also proved deeply revealing and fascinating, while the views from the Shirley Heights lookout across English and Falmouth harbours were unmatched.
An ATV tour of farmland, rainforest, coastal dirt roads and Antigua neighbourhoods not only provided an adrenaline rush but also a comprehensive picture of the island.
On tiny, neighbouring Barbuda, which is almost completely flat, we trekked through caves, saw the Caribbean's largest magnificent frigatebird sanctuary and dined in style at beachfront resort Barbuda Belle.
In Antigua, we stayed at The Inn at English Harbour, Hodges Bay Resort & Spa, Blue Waters Resort & Spa and Curtain Bluff.
Read our Antigua and Barbuda travel guide here www.mensjournal.com/travel/four-day-weekend-antigua-and-barbuda
For more on Antigua and Barbuda, visit www.visitantiguabarbuda.com
#antiguabarbuda #caribbean