Dominica was the island I was most looking forward to on the Caribbean cruise I took last month, not least because of the reviews I'd read of the beauty of Morne Trois Pitons National Park. I had hoped to take a tour which included a hike to Middleham Falls, as well as a journey through Titou Gorge. Unfortunately not enough visitors signed up for that tour, so I went on a tour with a larger group that only included a visit to Titou Gorge in the park. The gorge was as amazing as I heard. The journey started with a short hike through the rainforest, passing poinsettia trees in bloom. The hike turned aquatic upon arriving at the gorge, which was filled waist-deep with brisk, turquoise water flowing from a waterfall we could hear through the rocks and trees. Our party swam through the narrow gorge, stopping to admire the lush vegetation overhead, before we reached the waterfall. And that's where I made the mistake of taking my camera out of my wet bag to attempt more pictures, because I inadvertently allowed water into my wet bag and damaged my camera for the rest of the trip. It was a small price to pay, though, for getting to spend time in the well-preserved natural beauty of a Caribbean isle.

Logistics: Tours of Morne Trois Pitons can be arranged through local companies, and are particularly useful for visitors on cruises. Visitors with longer timelines can arrange their own transportation to the park.