Dominica
The Nature Island of the Caribbean
"Everything is steep, wild and gorgeous". We know that journalists are prone to exaggeration but on this occasion the National Geographic Traveler's writer was spot on. Known as "The Nature Island of the Caribbean" (and not to be confused with the Dominican Republic), the island of Dominica is one of the Lesser Antillean chain, lying between Guadaloupe and Martinique. The mountainous, volcanic islands is almost entirely wooded, with its beautiful rainforests providing a natural habitat for two endemic parrots as well as a variety of other exotic species of bird such as the Solitaire with its hauntingly lovely call. The spectacular scenery and the grandeur of the mountains is all around you and the island is famous for its dramatic waterfalls, one of which is just a 15-minute walk from our hotel.
But it's not just the birds and the scenery which are special. Here the mountainsides lunge steeply into the sea, providing deep waters close to shore and an ideal, nutrient-rich feeding ground for whales. 
Our tour includes one and a half days' whale watching with really expert guides who have a high success rate in terms of encounters. Sperm Whales are the most frequently seen of about 20 species of cetaceans which include Short-finned Pilot Whale, Spotted, Spinner and Bottlenose Dolphin and occasionally more unusual species such as False Killer Whale and Dwarf Sperm Whale.
We stay at Papilotte Wilderness Retreat and our choice of accommodation is very much part of the holidays. Set in four acres of nurtured wilderness at the head of the Roseau River valley, Papilotte is simply idyllic. Its rainforest garden - of which we'll have a guided tour - has extensive collections of plants and flowers including such exotic species as jade vines with their unbelievable shade of turquoise blue-green, huge pink ginger blossoms, heliconias, begonias, ferns, orchids and aroids. It's paradise for botanists, photographers and artists. Frogs and other creatures live contentedly with 30 kinds of birds and 19 species of butterfly amongst hot and cold waterfalls and soothing mineral pools. There's nothing better than a soak in the pools at the end of the day - especially with a rum punch to hand! We'll allow plenty of time to enjoy staying in this superb location with its comfortable rooms from which telephones and televisions have been banished!
Of all the wonderful Caribbean islands, Dominica must be a favourite and yet it remains untouched by the mass tourism which has spoilt so many others.
