, opalescent lagoons and lush interiors, with no chain resorts or buildings taller than the coconut palms that line the shores.
Also freshly unveiled is Intrepid Travel’s five-night group tour of two of the islands – paradisiacal Aitutaki and the main hub of Rarotonga – to deliver pearly shores and snorkelling opportunities in cobalt lagoons between tropical fruit tastings at markets. Time is also allotted for attending joyous church services and swimming under waterfalls.
Despite tourism income ceasing, lockdown still brought Martinique some positives. Not only were its traditional yole sailboats inducted to Unesco’s Intangible Cultural Heritage List, but the Caribbean island was, in its entirety, certified as a Biosphere Reserve. Visit for graded hiking routes through tropical rainforests or up volcanoes, then investigate fine Creole cuisine and those Caribbean stalwarts: superb beaches, see-through seas and stellar scuba diving. As befits a French overseas department, boulangeries and boules lend an added Gallic quirk. Centrally located Hotel Pelican has five colourful rooms above a pool, doubles from £113,