JAMAICA

All the Jamaican stereotypes are present and correct in Jamaica. Along the coast, you’ve got white sands fringed by palms, and ramshackle beach bars serving up jerk chicken to Bob Marley beats. Inland, meanwhile, hidden waterfalls, banana plantations and soaring mountains vie for your attention. Best of all, the scenery is served up alongside Jamaica’s famous take-it-easy vibe. And, with the mercury hovering around the 30s for most of the year, it’s always a good time to visit Jamaica.

The main resorts are Montego Bay, Ocho Rios and Negril. In these towns, beachfront hotels sit shoulder-to-shoulder with reggae bars and bric-a-brac huts. Negril boasts one of the best beaches in Jamaica – Seven Mile Beach. As the name suggests, its size means it’s never tricky to find a good sunbathing spot.

A sleepier scene comes courtesy of Lucea and Runaway Bay. Here, you’ll find untouched beaches and a snail-like pace. Lucea lines up no fewer than three toothpaste-white strips of sand, plus a castle, a courthouse and a Saturday market for when you’re in the mood to explore. Runaway Bay has its own collection of pearly beaches, plus plenty of nods to the King of Reggae, Bob Marley, as it’s where he was born. Then there’s Trewlany – this serene northern region’s got sugar estates and a lush rainforest among its highlights.

The island's got its fair share of history, too, thanks to age-old mansions and 18th-century plantations. Rose Hall in Montego Bay is case in point. According to legend, this grand mansion is haunted by the ghost of a white witch. Then there’s Kingston, the island’s capital. The streets here are packed with colonial buildings, and museums that tell the story of its past.