ANTIGUA
With an area of just 108 square miles, Antigua is the largest of the Leeward Islands in the North East Caribbean. A true tropical paradise. It has a beautiful curving coastline with a picturesque cove or harbour around every corner and no less than 365 superb white sand beaches, one for every day of the year.
CLIMATE
Antigua boasts one of the finest comfortable climates in the West Indies. Average temperatures range year round between 80°F/26°C (February) to 85°F/28°C (August) allowing light summer attire suitable wear at all times. There is just enough rainfall to maintain the cool greenery while the gentle trade winds help create an ideal climate throughout the year.
HISTORY
Stone Age people from South America were the first to be lucky enough to enjoy living on Antigua some 4,000 years ago. They were followed by the Arawak Indians around the time of Christ. But it wasn't until 1493 that Christopher Columbus discovered the island for Europeans and gave it its present name. He was followed in 1632 by British Settlers who established it as a colony.
Throughout the island there are reminders of its fascinating post from the Indian Town of the Arawaks to the 17th century Sugar Estate, Betty's Hope, and Nelson's Dockyard in English Harbour a favourite safe haven in Napoleonic times. Still very British in character, Antigua is an independent sovereign nation within the Commonwealth, with the British Sovereign as Head of State.
As such, it has one of the most stable governments in the West Indies
TRAVEL
Travel to Antigua is
easy. There are direct flights with British Airways from
London Gatwick and scheduled flights with several other international
airlines from London Heathrow, Zurich and Frankfurt, as well
as daily flights from the US and Canada. As Antigua is the
base of LIAT, the Caribbean airline, scheduled flights
are also available to most other Caribbean Islands. American
Airlines and Continental Airlines both have regularly scheduled
flights to the U.S.
TAXIS
Taxis are available at
the V.C. Bird International airport which is a 20 minute
drive from the Apartments. Taxi fares from the airport to the
apartments costs usually around US$12. Check rates at the airport.
HIRE CARS
Rental cars are
available. It's essential to have an Antiguan Driving License
if you're driving on the island. Your license may be obtained
at the airport, police station or from any rental agent.
ENTRY REGULATIONS
All visitors to
Antigua must have a return ticket.
· UK citizens
may travel to the country on a British Visitor's Passport
or a Full British Passport, if they are staying for
six months or less.
· Citizens of
the USA or Canada need one of the following; Valid Passport,
Birth Certificate, Citizenship Card or Nationalisation
Certificate or Voter's Registration Card.
· Other European
nationalities normally need a valid passport.
MEDICAL FACILITIES
There are several
general practitioners, specialists, and dentists on
the island, plus a hospital and a private clinic. It is advisable
to take out medical insurance in case of emergencies.
CURRENCY
The Eastern Caribbean
Dollar (EC$) is fixed to the US$ and normally exchange
is US$l =EC$2.68. One pound Sterling is roughly equivalent to
four EC$, but the rate fluctuates constantly. US$ travelers cheques
and US$ notes are accepted, Credit Cards: MasterCard and
Visa. Although Sterling may be changed at all banks in
St. John's, or exchanged at hotels and larger stores, it is recommended
that travelers cheques should be in US$ which are generally more
readily accepted.
TIME DIFFERENCE
Antigua is in
the same time zone as the East Coast of the United States for
most of the year and just 4-6 hours behind the UK and
Europe.
VOLTAGE
110 volts
AC, 60 cycles. The apartments have American type 2-pin
electrical sockets, so a suitable adapter may be required.
WATERSPORTS
Of course,
the apartment's most important feature is the Caribbean
sea itself. With the apartments built right on the beach
front, the enticing warm blue sea is only a few strides away.
Swimming is superb, the beach shelves very gently and the bay
has one of the finest offshore coral reefs in Antigua. Snorkeling
and scuba diving are both available in the clear waters of the
bay, as are windsurfing and sunfish sailing. Also a
range of boats are available for charter or a day trip. For
more information try this site.....
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