Matador's Ultimate Guide to the Windward Islands

Caribbean islands of the Lesser Antilles ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ [St. Lucia]( Matador's Ultimate Guide to the Windward Islands Hi all, We recently shared some pretty [sweet flight deals to the Caribbean](. But narrowing down which island to visit can feel overwhelming (even though you can't go wrong). Today, we're going to highlight the stunning Windward Islands. This area is part of the Lesser Antilles region in the Caribbean that includes Dominica, Saint Lucia, Grenada, and more (we're also including Barbados and Trinidad and Tobago here as they were previously part of this group). Buckle up and get ready for some piña coladas as we'll be making our way through the different Caribbean regions for the next few weeks in our ultimate travel guide newsletters on Tuesdays. Tropical paradise awaits. [START WITH DOMINICA]( [GuideGeek]( Get Inspired [Dominica]( Dominica: The Nature Island Dominica — not the Dominican Republic — is Costa Rica 40 years ago. It barely registers on the "tourism radar," though that won't be true much longer. An island this beautiful, this accessible, and so packed with nature is bound to become beloved by the world. Here, you hike to boiling lakes. You scuba dive over bubbling reefs. You dine on five-star meals on five-star, empty beaches. This is paradise. This is the Nature Island. [READ MORE]( [Grenada]( You Need To Do These Eight Things on Your Next Trip To Grenada Black sand beaches, spectacular waterfalls, and lush hunter-green peaks dot the landscape of Grenada. Positioned less than 400 miles by air from Caracas, Venezuela, the small Caribbean island is located just south of the hurricane belt, making it a safer travel option during the months when major storms can torment the Atlantic coast. The aptly named “Spice Island” is one of the world’s largest exporters of nutmeg, and with five chocolate factories on the island and three rum distilleries, Grenada is a feast for all the senses. Here are eight must-do activities to make the most of your time in Grenada. [READ MORE]( [Dominica road trips]( The Ultimate Road Trip Guide To Dominica Imagine discovering a hidden swath of old-growth forest, a thriving, uncharted coral reef in the middle of the ocean, or — in this case — a lush, volcanic island rising jagged into the sky, warmed by the waters of the Caribbean. At just under 300 square miles of volcanic cliffs, beaches, wild rivers, and endless jungle, here’s what Dominica could have in store for you on a week-long itinerary. [READ MORE]( [Sugar Beach]( St. Lucia's Sugar Beach Resort Has Villa Views of White Sand Beaches and the Piton Mountains St. Lucia is known for its beaches, lush rainforests, and rich culture. And the Sugar Beach Resort is the perfect place to see it all. This world-class resort is nestled between the iconic Piton Mountains on a UNESCO World Heritage site and offers exclusive access to pristine white sand beaches, unparalleled amenities, and exceptional guest experiences. [READ MORE]( [the Rum Train]( This Rum Train in Barbados Is Every Rum Lover's Dream Come True A rum train excursion through the sugarcane fields of a farm-to-bottle distillery shows visitors how far Barbados rum has come. There has been a rise in interest in trains and boozy trains over the past decade. There are tequila trains, beer trains, and wine trains. None, however, combine spirits, trains, and farm-to-bottle booze like the Barbados rum train. It’s an event that appeals to rum fans as well as anyone loco for locomotives. [READ MORE]( [Caribbean beaches]( The 15 Best Beaches in the Caribbean to Escape the Crowds There are a lot of beaches across these islands, and if you talk to some locals or people who go there frequently, you’ll learn about some spectacularly secluded spots where your private beach dreams can come true. Best of all, they’re all open to the public. Here are 15 beaches in the Caribbean where you’ll find plenty of scenery and not many people. [READ MORE]( Nature + Adventure [Dominica]( Luxury Off The Grid: Why the Tiny Island of Dominica Is the Caribbean's Best Kept Secret Join us as we explore the hidden gem of the Caribbean - Dominica. With its lush rainforests, stunning waterfalls, and vibrant culture, Dominica is a nature lover's paradise. Immerse yourself in the local way of life and discover the island's rich history and traditions. Get ready for an unforgettable adventure as we take you on a journey through this unspoiled paradise. [WATCH NOW]( [St. Lucia ]( Exploring St. Lucia Through This Secluded Luxury Airbnb The Caribbean island of St. Lucia offers travelers a unique blend of natural beauty, cultural vibrancy, and relaxation—all within one destination. With so much to explore and experience, it’s no wonder why people come from around the world to visit this little piece of paradise. The Mango Point Villa is hidden on a lush tropical hillside facing the Caribbean Sea and the Pitons. [READ MORE]( [Grenada]( The 6 Most Underrated Caribbean Beach Towns You Need To Visit Many Caribbean nations utilize the year-round sun, sand, and sea as a major marketing tool for potential and returning tourists, but the beaches advertised in the travel brochures are often crowded and over-commercialized. Check out these underrated Caribbean beach towns for an authentic island experience and a richer connection to the culture. [READ MORE]( Food + Culture [food in Grenada]( How To Eat and Drink Your Way Through Grenada, the Caribbean’s Most Flavorful Island The “spice island” of Grenada is a place where every flavor — from sun-dried chocolates to spicy stews to the jet fuel rums — is stronger and fuller than you’ll find anywhere in the Caribbean. Its people use what the island provides to create the kind of terroir-driven fare people cross oceans for. And it’s only a three-hour plane trip from Miami. [READ MORE]( [carnival outfits]( Essential Trini Slang You Need To Know Before Visiting Trinidad and Tobago The music and traditions, as well as languages, accents, and sayings, reflect the rich history that has made Trinbago what it is today. If you plan to visit, learning some Trini slang is as important as having the right gear in your pack. [READ MORE]( [chocolate in Grenada]( Grenada Offers a Chocolate-Centric Vacation Unlike Any Other Grenada is more than just a paradise for beach lovers, nature aficionados, and people who want to fully immerse in island life. Spice Island, as Grenada is known, is also a world-class food destination. And a big part of Grenada’s food culture revolves around chocolate. It’s a thriving powerhouse of cacao cultivation, and producers on the island craft some of the globe’s most mouth-watering chocolate. This rich legacy can be experienced year-round, but is perhaps best embodied annually during the week-long chocolate festival in May. [READ MORE]( [Martinique drink]( Forget Eggnog and Drink This Spicy, Citrusy Martinique Holiday Liqueur Instead On the Caribbean island of Martinique, the classic holiday drink is unlike any other: shrubb. Shrubb is an overproof Martinique rhum agricole that’s flavored with local citrus, cane syrup, and spices. It’s not to be confused with shrub with one “b,” which is the vinegar-based fruit and sugar concoction that was popular in colonial America. [READ MORE]( Epic Stays Take the headache out of planning and check out our staff picks for places to stay [Caribbean stays]( [Caribbean stays]( [Caribbean stays]( [Caribbean stays]( [Caribbean stays]( [Epic Stays TikTok]( FOLLOW US AND FIND YOUR NEXT #TRAVELSTOKE [Facebook]( [Linkedin]( [Youtube]( [Instagram]( [TikTok]( [Pinterest]( [Custom]( [Twitter X]( [Update your email frequency and topic preferences here](. Or [unsubscribe from our newsletter.]( We'll be here when you need us! Copyright © 2023 Matador Network, All rights reserved. Our mailing address is: Matador Network, PO Box 7775, Suite 40021, San Francisco, CA 94120, United States