Antigua (pronounced An-tee'ga) and Barbuda are located in the middle of the Leeward Islands in the Eastern Caribbean, roughly 17 degrees north of the equator. To the south are the islands of Montserrat and Guadaloupe, and to the north and west are Nevis, St. Kitts, St. Barts, and St. Martin.

Antigua is an exotic paradise where cooling Trade Winds and warm hospitality ensure the perfect island getaway. This eclectic mix of Caribbean beauty, European history, and international gaming excitement is also simply called "heaven" by anyone who's been here. And that includes the French and the Dutch who fought over this slice of paradise 4 or 5 centuries ago, as well as the British who created a major naval center called English Harbour when they settled here in 1632.

The name of the game in today's Antigua can be anything from slot machines to stud poker at King's Casino, to the annual Antigua Classic Yacht Regatta, to cricket matches.

This Caribbean jewel of an island has enough culture, action and beaches for you to discover something new everyday. In fact, Antigua has 365 beaches, one for each day of the year. With sand so pure it casts a pinkish hue as a colorful backdrop for some of the most radiant sunset anywhere.

Barbuda is one of those very few islands in the Caribbean that remains--and probably will remain for some time--so undeveloped as to seem positively deserted at times. With the exception of the guests of the island's small number of accommodations, the population seems largely to consist of the graceful Fregata magnificens, or frigate bird. As the birds possess a marked preference for the northwest lagoon, Barbuda's seemingly endless white and pink sand beaches are left to the peaceful wanderings of those lucky enough to sojourn here.

Red Parrot Travel recommended resorts:

Harmony Hall

Jumby Bay

Sandals Antigua