Saint Kitts and Nevis

The national dish here is a plateful of history: stewed saltfish with spicy fried plantains, seasoned breadfruit and coconut dumplings, chosen by contest in 2003 to mark twenty years of independence. Salt cod itself is a plantation-era survivor, the preserved fish that once fed the sugar workforce and became a comfort food. On Nevis the older favourite still holds — goat water, a slow tomato-based goat stew thickened with breadfruit and dumplings.

Being twin islands, the sea is always close: conch fritters, spiny lobster and reef fish at every beach cookout. The nightlife-and-food hub is Frigate Bay's 'Strip', where Mr X's Shiggidy Shack runs bonfire nights and Reggae Beach Bar throws an all-you-can-eat Lobsterfest. Order a 'Ting 'n Sting' — the local CSR cane spirit cut with grapefruit soda — and settle in.