Some Hints from us 1. For a fantastic deal to the Caribbean look to travel in the low season, which is the UK summer, when there are plenty of special offers and the weather is still generally good, albeit you can sometimes encounter some rain. However, rates often drop immediately after Easter so if you can travel before the end of May you’ll benefit from low prices and still enjoy near peak season weather conditions.

2. There’s so much colour and culture in the Caribbean that it’s always worth asking what will be happening while you’re there. Events for 2012 in the Bajan calendar include a celebration of opera, music and theatre in the shape of the Holders Season 17 - 31 March, the Oistins Fish Festival in April and the Crop Over Festival in July. Saint Lucia’s legendary Jazz Festival is 5-13 May and you can take to the waves or simply enjoy the buzz of Antigua Sailing Week, 29 April - 4 May.

Tips from ITC 1. Buccament Bay on St Vincent is a superb choice for active families and of course it’s home to the Liverpool Football Club Soccer School and Pat Cash Tennis Academy but for a real treat for your youngster, look out for the special weeks where coaching is given by former Premier League footballers and on the tennis courts by Pat Cash himself. And new for 2012, cricket-mad kids can receive coaching from former England stars Michael Vaughan and Matthew Hoggard for the week of 12 - 17 February.

2. If gorgeous beaches are your ’thing’ the road less travelled is worth considering, so look for Cap Juluca in Anguilla, Rosewood Little Dix Bay in the BVIs - from where you can also take a water transfer to secluded coves for private romantic picnics - and remember Mexico; you’d be hard pressed to find a better stretch of beach anywhere than at Rosewood Mayakoba!

Some Suggestions from us 1. The Caribbean is the perfect destination for a two centre holiday with regular inter-island flights making ‘island-hopping’ easy. Coral Reef Club in Barbados fits perfectly with Cotton House in Mustique, or perhaps twin Jumby Bay A Rosewood Resort or Carlisle Bay in Antigua with the Four Seasons Resort, Nevis. A twin-centre holiday doesn’t have to involve another flight though, in Saint Lucia the island’s geography and attractions are so varied that if you combine Jalousie Plantation in the south with The BodyHoliday in the north, you’ll enjoy two completely different experiences.

2. Relax and be well in 2012; treat yourself to some spa-based luxury! The choice of resorts with fabulous spas is ever-widening in the Caribbean so why not take the opportunity to make pampering a central part of your holiday? Choices range from resorts with amazing spas such as Antigua’s Jumby Bay’s and its SENSE Spa to resorts where well-being is inherent in everything they do, for example Parrot Cay’s award-winning COMO Shambhala Retreat (Turks & Caicos) and The BodyHoliday in Saint Lucia, newly refurbished for 2012 and wowing all comers!

A Hint for you 1. In recent years there’s been an explosion of superb stand alone and hotel based restaurants throughout the Caribbean. Barbados, as always, is a great place to start with old favourites The Cliff and Daphne’s and Relais & Chateaux member Cobbler’s Cove being kept on their toes by new openings such as Cin Cin but now you can look forward to a gourmet experience elsewhere. In Saint Lucia, Cap Maison’s ‘The Cliff at Cap’ leads the way, Grenada has (Gary) Rhodes’ Restaurant at The Calabash and in the British Virgin Islands there’s another Relais & Chateaux member in the shape of Biras Creek and the newly opened restaurant at Costa Smerelda Yacht Club. The best book up early, so ask our Travel Specialists for recommendations and to make your reservations in advance.