Turks and Caicos

Book excerpt: Comprised of 200 miles of fine white sand beaches bordering turquoise seas, the 40 islands of the Turks and Caicos (TCI) - historically seen as an appendage of the Bahamas - form a unique Caribbean archipelago.With a pleasant climate all year round, TCI is one of the world's top destinations for diving and snorkelling. With coral reef reaching depths of more than 7,000ft, TCI is world-renowned for its wall diving. Turks and Caicos Islands also reveals the islands' lesser-known terrestrial attractions. Soak up Bermudian architecture in the historical old capital, Cockburn Town; visit one of the best museums in the Caribbean, inspired by the oldest shipwreck in the Americas at Molasses Reef; or simply unwind on one of the country's idyllic beaches.