The island group Vadadli was discovered by Columbus in 1493, during his second expedition to the shores of the New World. Columbus named the island after the church of Antigua de Santa Maria in Seville. A beautiful island with a picturesque coast, numerous coves and lush vegetation was the scene of the struggle of the European colonists with Indian tribes and the aggressive forces of nature. Today, the island of Antigua and Barbuda is one of the major resort areas of the West Indies. In Antigua, there is a huge number of modern hotels, nightclubs, casinos, water sports centers and entertainment complexes.

St. John's is the capital of Antigua, its commercial center and major tourist area of ​​the country. St. John's is a rather unusual capital. It is home to only 30 thousand people, but it is almost half of the population. This is a major tourist center of the island but, nevertheless, much of the city remains an example of old Caribbean architecture and lifestyle. All tourist activity is limited to the embankment around the harbor, Heritage Quay and the pastoral area of ​​Redcliffe Quay, where the majority of shops, restaurants and galleries are found, as well as the picturesque stone buildings and wooden huts, apparently aimed at tourists. Some of them are beautifully restored, others are in a dilapidated state, but all of them create a special atmosphere that makes St. John's popular among tourists.

To explore the city and its attractions, a few hours will be enough, since all the main sights are located close to each other. A tour can begin with St. John's Cathedral with two little clumsy towers as the hallmark of the island and one of the rare examples of mixed wood and stone architecture. In the southern part of the cathedral you can find a small cemetery with old, moss-grown tombstones, many of which date back to the 17th century. Another noteworthy place is the Museum of Antigua and Barbuda, located in a colonial house of the Court. The museum has a good collection of exhibits on the history and culture of Indian tribes and the colonial period. The main street has a lot of fine old buildings and wine shops of the 17th century. The Art Gallery of Antigua lies on the northeastern coast of Hodges Bay. A small fort in St John's harbor will give you a chance to see a few old guns, the gunpowder storage, barracks and a few almost intact fortifications.

English Harbour is considered the most popular tourist attraction in Antigua with the richest collection of historic monuments. The main attractions here are the British naval base, the National Park and the partially restored fortified observation post. The west coast of Antigua is famous for a chain of hotels and a string of beautiful beaches.

The island of Barbuda lies to the north of Antigua. This quiet, pastoral village island is very rarely visited by tourists. Nevertheless, this small piece of land in the vast expanse of the sea is considered one of the most picturesque islands of the world, and its eight-kilometer Long Beach is one of the most beautiful beaches.

Codrington, the capital of the island, resembles a village. It is a sleepy little town, the chief ornament of which are many beautiful one-storey houses, the Government House, the post office, and the school of the Holy Trinity. There are a few guesthouses, a handful of restaurants, bars and shops in the town, but in general it is very quiet and deserted.

The mansion of the Codringtons is called Codrington House, it is located in the elevated part of the island and offers a superb panorama of the coastline. Martello Tower, located nearby, is a part of the system of fortifications of the island. Spanish Points Cape is the most southeastern point of Barbuda, possibly named after a Spanish galleon 'Santiago de Kalerin'. It is known for pure sand and sparkling water with many superb beaches.

An extensive list of Antigua and Barbuda travel agencies can be a great asset while preparing your trip. Also, contact a tour operator for Antigua and Barbuda to get a free quote.