There’s an old adage that says when you first get to the Caribbean, you’re amazed by how slowly everyone moves, but after a while they start to catch up with you. The laid-back, chilled-out charm of the Caribbean – a distinct arc of distinct islands tracing across the tropics from northern South America toward the southern spur of eastern North America – has long been the binary to the Med on the so-called milk run. And it’s not hard to see why …

As the perfect foil to the chill of the Northern Hemisphere winter, the Caribbean beckons not only with a destination for every taste – from the glitz and glamour of St Barths to the pure cruising heaven of the British Virgin Islands – but also with a feel and a vibe that’s completely different to the Med. It’s all about relaxed beach vibes, island chic, flying fish burgers and stretches of beautiful white sand fringing stunning azure topaz waters.