What to Expect:   A multi-cultural experience, from oh-so-British Barbados to the Dutch ABC islands and French Martinique.

When to Go:   Winter, spring, or summer for the driest weather.

What to Do:   Shop duty-free on St. Thomas, climb a volcano on St. Lucia, sip rum in Barbados, and swim, snorkel, and sunbathe just about anywhere.

Local Color:   Dominica has a rare and exotic black-sand beach.

Don't Miss:   Colonial architecture and island music in Caribbean cities and towns.

Don't Forget:   Flip-flops--you'll probably be spending a lot of time on the beach!