Dominica

There's no better place to get a taste of Dominica's spirit than in the delightful chaos that is Roseau's Saturday market. It's here that you can see what makes the country tick, a deep abiding affinity for the land and its bounty. The colourful riot of yams, bananas, coconuts and avocadoes spill from sacks and the banter of bargaining fills the air.

The town itself has a distinctive style, a mixture of Creole, Carib and British architecture, framed by lovingly tended gardens.

You can describe the country's interior in one word: breathtaking. The magical combination of seething volcanoes and thundering rivers have shaped an unforgettable landscape; spectacular waterfalls plunge from mountainous heights against the backdrop of noisy rainforests, while splattering hot springs, dotted over scorched land like a moonscape bubble away.

Natural wonders extend off the coast; the coastal waters, enclosed by reef, form one of the Caribbean's richest marine parks. With so much hiking and action on offer, it's not hard to see why Dominica has earned tag of the 'Island of Adventure'.

First stop for nature lovers would have to be the Morne Trois Pitons National Park, home to the twin cascades of Trafalgar Falls, the Valley of Desolation and, believe it or not, a boiling lake (we don't recommend a dip). To the southeast of the island is the incongruously named Champagne, its major draw, underwater springs providing a unique experience for divers.

Further inland, you'll find native Carib territory, where the jungle clears for houses on stilts, coconut plantations and roadside stalls displaying the ubiquitous local handicraft: multicoloured basket work.