When British Vice Admiral Lord Nelson first moored his ship in one of Antigua’s white-sand bays, he did not even want to disembark.

Charged with establishing a British naval base on the island, Nelson perhaps saw his visit as more work than pleasure. He is rumoured to have described the island as a “dreadful hole” and a “vile place”, and to have returned to his ship to sleep each night. The fact that the Caribbean island is idyllic, with pure beaches, exotic food and a relaxed pace to life, makes this all the more confusing.

There is, as they say, no accounting for taste. But fortunately for Antigua’s tourism industry, Nelson’s attitude towards the Caribbean island is rather rare.

Indeed, on the same expedition as Nelson was the future English King William IV. He did not share Nelson’s affection for the ship – and even had his own house built on the island.

Today the island’s sun-soaked beaches and crystal-blue waters attract thousands of visitors every year. And a few fortunate ones never leave.

For the visitor, Antigua has plenty to offer: amazing beaches, fabulous weather, and a plethora of activities to try out, just to name a few.

On the island’s Northwest coast, with the full resort experience, is the romantically-titled Runaway Bay. (The name has obviously inspired a few who have never landed and never left the island.) Or, for those after a bit more peace and quiet, the remote and undeveloped Darkwood Beach on the Southern coast may be the ticket.

When the sun is shining – which it is, on average, 7.5 hours every day – there is an almost limitless range of things to see and do. Holiday makers looking for complete relaxation can simply soak up the sun on the amazingly white beaches and admire the rich orange sunsets.

But those after a bit more action have dozens of options. The clear blue waters are calling out to be swum in or explored with a snorkel or diving gear. Sailing is another way of exploring the coastline, bathing in the sun and inhaling the fresh sea air at the same time.

Oh, and no need to pack a jumper, by the way. The temperature here averages a cosy 30 degrees Celsius year-round.

Flights
Antigua is a no-brainer when it comes to choosing a holiday location. Aside from the fabulous weather, beaches and tourism infrastructure, the dozens of international flights that land on the island every week make it even easier for a quick getaway.
But from the beginning, visitors have wondered why they would ever want to leave the island. The first British colony was established 150 years before Nelson arrived to turn his nose up at the place, and Europeans have settled there ever since.
With the prevalence of tele-commuting in modern business, the idea of staying put in Antigua is an attractive one. Life on the island is easy. For a start, the main language spoken in English, making daily life that much less complicated.

Antigua offers a lot more beyond sipping cocktails on its white sand beaches. And those who make Antigua their home come to form a special bond with the island. Each day, there are new aspects of the island’s beauty to discover and explore. And overall, residents find a welcoming community with a culture that positively pulsates with life.

One side of Antiguan culture which always has more to explore is the cuisine. The island’s traditional food is a sweet and sour Caribbean blend of tastes. Limes, spices, and sweet flavours infuse the meals. Most meals are spicy, with fruit juice or coconut milk on hand to cool the palate.

Visitors should try Ducana, made of sweet potato mixed with coconut, sugar and spices. Souse is another local specialty, made from pork marinated in lime juice and chillies. Residents get to know the food even more closely than visitors. They have the opportunity to find the unique, seasonal ingredients at the market and try whipping up the local food themselves.
As far as culture goes, the annual highlight is the summer carnival. Held at the beginning of August each year, the carnival is a celebration of life: music, dance, colour and smiles.

Festival
During the ten-day festival, the streets teem with colour and excitement. Women and men float around the towns dressed in outfits adorned with sparkles and feathers of every colour of the rainbow. Their costumes are extravagant and eye-catching in every way possible. Colours are bold: burning red, emerald green, brilliant yellow.

The crowds of revellers dance to the Caribbean rhythms that leap through the air. Musicians compete to see who is the best at tapping out calypso beats. The community lives, laughs and smiles. Life in Antigua is something that is enjoyed and celebrated.

Antiguans finish work and slip down to the beach for a quick dip, stroll past the local market to pick up the catch of the day, or relax with an iced drink while gazing at the horizon.

Traffic jams are a distant memory for expatriates who have relocated to the island. Instead, residents can while away the hours with a few rounds of golf or a walk through the hills.

Residents enjoy the best of both worlds. The island boasts the top-notch restaurants and services which one would expect in any city of the world. Yet, if offers the tranquillity of a life in the sun.

The only thing left to puzzle over is what it was the made Lord Nelson hole-up in his boat instead of enjoying the good times on land.