Antigua

Antigua is blessed with an abundance of fine white-sand beaches, but only in the southwest of the island, where a ridge of rain forest-covered hills rises abruptly from the patchwork of farmland, is the scenery grand and lushly tropical. Secluded behind this barrier, the nearby coastline has remained blissfully unspoiled. The country’s capital, St. John’s, is an uninteresting place much frequented by cruise ships, but English Harbour in the south of the island is extremely pretty and is the site of Nelson’s Dockyard, a restored colonial naval station that contains an array of elegant 18th-century neoclassical buildings. The highlight of the year is Antigua Sailing Week at the end of April.

WHEN TO GO : The weather is dry and pleasant, with little temperature variation year-round. November-May is the best time to visit.

CURRENCY : Eastern Caribbean dollar (XC$). Set rate valued at XC$2.6 = US$1.00 as of March 2012. Note: Our suggested hotels quote rates in US$.

U.S. EMBASSY : None. There is a U.S. consular agent, Tel. 463-6531./p>

DIRECT DIAL CODES : To phone hotels in Antigua an

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS : Passport. Visit travel.state.gov, and for travelers’ health information, cdc.gov.