Audley features the Caribbean for the first time in its new Hidden Beaches brochure

Audley has started offering holidays to the Caribbean, featuring selected islands in their new Hidden Beaches brochure.

They have focused mainly on Grenada and Saint Lucia, which, as well as wonderful beaches, offer opportunities to explore the local Creole culture, history and nature with lush rainforests, dramatic volcanic scenery, plantations, spices and wonderful birdlife and flora.

In addition Audley have included the more off the beaten track island of Bequia in the Grenadines where the beaches are often deserted, even in peak season. They also feature the more popular islands of Barbados and Antigua and here they have hand-picked a few smaller properties where clients can be ensured of a more personal service.

They suggest a number of different beach-hopping itineraries as well as a few trips that combine the beach with other aspects of the islands — such as seeing the Pitons in Saint Lucia or the fishing villages and hot springs of Grenada’s north coast.

Highlights include:

St Lucia

Ti Kaye Resort — a charming and elegantly rustic hotel overlooking the secluded Anse Cochon, a lovely bay backed by lush rainforest. Excellent snorkelling and diving. Audley suggest combining it with a few nights at Petite Anse boutique hotel on Grenada’s unspoilt north coast. Here guests can explore the fishing town of Sauters and the wildlife-rich Levera National Park as well as visiting historic rum distilleries and cocoa and nutmeg plantations. A ten night itinerary with three nights in Grenada and seven nights in St Lucia costs from £2,096 per person

For a really special way to see Saint Lucia, Audley suggest combining a beach stay at the luxurious Spanish Caribbean-style hotel of Cap Maison with a few nights in the Pitons. They recommend staying at Ladera in the Pitons, which is perched high on a ridge with incredible views of the iconic Pitons and spectacular sunsets. There is wonderful walking and diving. A ten night itinerary with three nights at Ladera and seven nights at Cap Maison costs from £3,168 per person.

Grenada

Audley have selected the spacious villas at Maca Bana, which have a wonderful private home feel to them. There are just seven villas and each one is different and individually decorated. Audley suggest combining it with a few nights on the east coast of Barbados, which has a totally different feel to the rest of the island with rugged rocky shores and small local villages. A ten night itinerary with three nights in Barbados and seven nights at Maca Bana costs from £2,708 per person.

Bequia

Overlooking Friendship Bay, the island’s finest stretch of sand, the Bequia Beach Hotel is an intimate, elegant property that oozes charm and individuality and has a very special atmosphere. It is an Audley favourite offering a good range of accommodation from large ocean suites to family villas. Audley suggest combining it with Barbados and Grenada for an island-hopping adventure that will give an insight in to the very different elements that the Caribbean has on offer. A two week holiday with three nights in Barbados, three nights in Grenada and seven nights in Bequia costs from £2,329 per person.