The Caribbean conjures up images of white sand beaches, clear, warm waters and long lazy days. Whilst these are idyllic and perfectly pleasant impressions, there's actually so much more to islands such as Cuba, Grenada, Jamaica and St Lucia.

With a history full of pirates, colonists, slavery and revolution, the islands have a colourful and complex mix of cultures to discover, whilst on a Caribbean beach holiday or honeymoon, with characters on every island willing to hold forth about the local identity and difference between Anguilla and Antigua, the Bahamas and Barbados or Dominica and the Dominican Republic. Even the beaches are more diverse than the sterotype would have you imagine, with sands shimmering in hues of white, pink, brown and black.

Away from the beach, climb rugged hills, explore dense jungles and watch out for a wealth of birdlife. Slip below the waves to see coral reefs, colourful fish and turtles. Wherever you settle, you'll be able to relax during the day and dance to reggae, salasa and soca in the evenings, coming way from your beach holiday in the Caribbean with much more than just a killer tan.