One of the best ways to grasp how truly stunning the islands are is by looking on from above, while on board a seaplane. Seaplanes are commonly used as a local means of transport, and provide the perfect angle for memorable photographs of the iconic archipelago and its endless white beaches. Trans Maldivian Airways is the largest company that operates private flights between the islands.

This evocative and moving museum commemorates the more than 60,000 non-white inhabitants of District Six who were expelled from this once multi-ethnic neighbourhood when it was declared a ‘whites only’ zone in the 1960s by the Apartheid government. It tells the stories of the forced removals and aims to help reconstruct the community of District Six.

Saline Beach is St Barts’ untamed coastal masterpiece — a crescent of powdery sand where turquoise waves meet rugged hills in perfect harmony. The journey begins with a 200-metre trek through scrubland and over a low dune, rewarding visitors with a vista of undeveloped shoreline where the only distractions are seabirds and the rhythmic crash of surf. On a clear day, direct your gaze past the green dot of Île Coco and you'll just be able to spot St Kitts on the horizon. Come prepared: shade is scarce and facilities nonexistent. What you’ll find instead is raw beauty; the kind that draws naturists and photographers, all chasing that rare blend of wildness and tropical splendor. Time your visit for late afternoon when the light gilds the salt pond’s edges (the same salty pound that gave the beach its name), and you’ll understand why this beach remains the island’s best-kept escape.

The Aquarium of Guadeloupe is located in the area of Gosier, a short distance to the south of Pointe-a-Pitre, but the trip is well worth it, as it is often cited as one of France's best aquariums. It showcases the rich marine life of the area, with more than 60 species of tropical fish, sharks, sea turtles, and many more.