Now and again such an excellent offer comes up that we just have to shout about it. Tropical Sky has just sealed a fantastic deal with BMI that will be music to the ears of those of you from the north who have been dreaming of that special Caribbean holiday. Our new recession-busting rates on BMI flights from Manchester to Barbados and Antigua cover departures from September 5 to March 30 2009.

Both islands are blessed with sandy, tropical beaches, stunning scenery, superb accommodation options and of course the laid-back, totally relaxing vibe that the Caribbean is legendary for.

Barbados is one of the Caribbean’s original luxury holiday destinations, an island of some 280,000 people, with one of the region’s finest selections of world-class accommodation plus a buzzing nightlife, especially along the St Lawrence Gap in the south west of the island. Beach lovers tend to favour the Platinum West Coast, with its long stretches of beautiful white sand and sheltered waters. The surf-lapped waters of the south coast are more exposed to the Caribbean’s trade winds, and provide not just a cooling breeze, but excellent conditions for exhilarating watersports like surfing, sailing, windsurfing and kiteboarding.

Discovery Bay by Rex Resorts is an excellent all-inclusive choice offering outstanding value. It’s an adults-only property with elegant, plantation-style buildings nestled in manicured gardens along sandy St James’ Beach on the island’s west coast.

As well as its fantastic resorts, Barbados is also well-known for its botanical gardens, the rugged Atlantic coastline, its historic capital Bridgetown and Mount Gay Rum. Cricket lovers will also know the island as home to the Kensington Oval, one of the world’s classic test venues.

Antigua, on the other hand, is smaller and quieter, although it still offers superb facilities for visitors. The island has an incredible 365 beaches surrounded by a virtually unbroken ring of coral reef, which, along with its many shipwrecks and underwater caves, makes it a favourite destination for divers. There’s a fascinating maritime tradition to discover as well, dating back to the days when Lord Nelson was stationed there.

Antigua’s capital St John’s is dominated by the towers of its baroque cathedral, and the whole island is steeped in culture and genuine Caribbean charm. There are plenty of top-class hotels, and for a real taste of luxury, look no further than Hermitage Bay. With its award-winning cuisine and obsessive attention to detail, it’s no surprise it was rated one of the world’s best all-inclusive hotels in the Trip Advisor 2008 Travellers’ Choice Awards and has attracted so much positive press coverage.

If all this whets your appetite for a Caribbean break to escape the gloomy British weather, then give Tropical Sky’s expert reservations team a call on 0870 9079 605 to find out more about our great deals flying from Manchester to Barbados and Antigua.