BARBADOS
Although Barbados has been an independent nation for over 40 years, it still has British traits: Cars drive on the left, cricket is the national sport, and there's a fondness for afternoon tea.

Must-do: On Friday and Saturday nights, the village of Oistins hosts a big street-food festival, where partygoers enjoy seafood of all kinds, including mahimahi and lobster. Plates cost about $5, and the party starts around 7 p.m.

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Where to stay: A 15-minute drive from the airport and within walking distance of St. Lawrence Gap, Dover Beach Hotel has 59 rooms steps from Turtle Beach (246/428-8076, doverbeach.com, from $92). All of the rooms at the beachfront Sea Breeze Beach Hotel have a balcony or patio; guests can soak in the two pools or the three Jacuzzis (246/428-2825, sea-breeze.com, from $124, includes breakfast).

Did you know? George Washington worked as a surveyor on Barbados for two months in 1751. The house where he lived is now a museum.

BONAIRE
The action on arid and sparsely populated Bonaire is underwater: The pristine reefs teem with tropical marine life. Divers love it.

Must-do: A scuba trip to one of the island's 86 dive sites, most of which are on the western shore. Hotels can make arrangements. A three-hour "resort course" costs about $50; four-day PADI certification runs around $300.

Where to stay: The 22-room Bellafonte Chateau de la Mer, on the western shore, has a private pier near a snorkeling reef (011-599/717-3333, bellafontebonaire.com, from $125).

CAYMAN ISLANDS
The largest and most populated of the three Cayman Islands, Grand Cayman has long drawn divers eager to get a glimpse of the Cayman Trench--an underwater canyon that plunges to nearly 25,000 feet deep.

Must-do: Snorkel while being surrounded by rays at Stingray City--a string of sandbars in the North Sound. Captain Marvin's Watersports runs three-hour trips that depart from Governor's Harbor (345/945-6975, captainmarvins.com, $40, includes gear).

Where to stay: The Turtle Nest Inn has 10 two-bedroom condos and seven one-bedroom apartments that sleep four (with full kitchens). You can see the ocean from the beds in units 3, 4, 6, 7, and 8. The inn also has one room available for a single (345/ 947-8665, turtlenestinn.com, from $99).

CURAÇAO
The confluence of the Caribbean and the Netherlands is most visible in the vibrant architecture, which marries a tropical palette with Dutch building styles.

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