Bridgetown, the spirited capital of Barbados, is brimming with wonderful architecture and historical sites from its colonial past that have ensured its recent selection as a UNESCO World Heritage site. The capital is famous for the production of rum so a stroll through town should include a stop at one of the many rum shops that can be found off the main retail hubs such as Broad Street or Swan Street.

Excursions to the central and eastern areas of Barbados reveal more of its distinctive history, with old plantation houses, deserted sugar mills and abandoned rum distilleries. Pounded by Atlantic waves, Bathsheba’s Soup Bowl beckons surfing enthusiasts, while those who prefer secluded beach walks will enjoy the eastern shoreline of Barbados.

To the island’s south, Saint Lawrence Gap is a vibrant resort area with restaurants, bars and nightclubs set adjacent to powdery sand beaches. The charming fishing village of Oistins offers a more traditional experience of Barbados, with the striking coastlines of Miami and Enterprise beaches nearby.

Holetown is located on the west coast and is the island’s original settlement point. This is where the annual Holetown Festival commemorates the first landing on Barbados by English merchants. A little further north is Speightstown, the second most populous area on Barbados. It features a new luxury marina and growing market area offering fresh seafood and fruit.

Barbados is synonymous with white sand beaches and the best of these sandy stretches include: Rockley Beach, the famous Sandy Lane Beach and Crane Beach, the latter considered one of the world’s top beaches.

Founded on colonial enterprise, Barbados is dominated by landmarks that reflect this rich history. Saint Ann’s Garrison is a beautifully maintained heritage site in Bridgetown that dates back to the early 18^th century.

Also within the Garrison Historic Area lies the stunning parade ground where the celebrated Garrison Savannah Turf Club has been home to the sport of horse racing since the mid-18^th century.

Other notable points of interest in the Garrison area include the Barbados Museum and George Washington House, a restored plantation residence where the American Revolutionary leader briefly stayed in 1751.

National Heroes Square is overlooked by a bronze statue of Lord Nelson and is home to the National Heroes Gallery that honours people who have influenced the history of Barbados.

Barbados also lays claim to one of the oldest synagogues in the Western Hemisphere. The Nidhe Israel Synagogue, located in Bridgetown, incorporates a visitor’s museum.

A beautiful example of colonial architecture is St Nicholas Abbey, in the parish of St Peter. This rare Jacobean estate house which once operated as a sugar plantation and later as a rum distillery is central to Barbados’ former grandeur. As part of the tour, you can watch a 1935 movie reel showing the working mill and Bridgetown at the time.

Horticulturists will no doubt agree that Andromeda Botanic Gardens has one of the finest collections of exotic plants in the region and is well worth the trip to the east coast of Barbados.

Rediscovered in 1976 after 200 years, Harrison’s Cave is a natural wonder found in the centre of Barbados, where visitors will be awestruck by centuries-old stalagmites and stalactites, underground streams and waterfalls.

Barbados heaves with entertainment options, from fashionable beach bars to party cruises that are infused with the spirit of calypso, soca (from Trinidad) and reggae. On the south coast, St Lawrence Gap bristles with excellent beachfront restaurants and nightlife to the extent that is known as the ’hip strip’.

Bridgetown is the only city on Barbados and as its capital and cultural centre, it offers a great selection of traditional and international venues. At the heart of Bridgetown’s nightlife is Baxter’s Road, where visitors and locals alike congregate for fun and liberal doses of Bajan rum.

Most of the tourist areas on Barbados are abundant in bars and nightclubs that throb with Caribbean soul, but there are other entertainment alternatives that don’t necessarily involve late nights and alcohol.

If you are fortunate to be in Barbados when a cricket match is scheduled, then you will be bowled over by the party atmosphere and friendliness of supporters at the iconic Kensington Oval in Bridgetown.

Between July and August, Barbados is immersed in the Crop Over Festival, which was originally established to celebrate the end of the sugar cane harvest. During the festival, tourists delight in live music, cultural events and carnivals.

Traditional Bajan or Barbadian food is distinctly Caribbean, but unique due to influences from other cultures through the years. Barbados cuisine is literally a melting pot that simmers with African, English, Spanish and French contributions to the ingredients and cooking processes.

With Barbados being an island nation, seafood is fundamental to many recipes and indeed, the national dish is a blend of cornmeal, okra peppers and a hot sauce known as cou cou, and is served with steamed or fried flying fish. This concoction can also be added as a filling to a sandwich of salt bread, a delicacy which is commonly referred to as a ’cutter’.

A misconception about Bajan food is that it is eye-wateringly spicy. However, although this may be the case for other Caribbean cuisine, it is not true for Barbados fare. If you desire a little more spice in your life, then try a pepperpot, a pork stew steeped in a spicy brown sauce.

Other delicious traditional treats that will appeal to most visitors include ’rice and peas’, conkies (cornmeal, coconut, pumpkin and sweet potato) and fried plantains (similar to bananas).

Travellers to Barbados can expect an eclectic range of eateries, from street stalls at the Oistins Fish Fry market to the cosmopolitan restaurants in Saint James.

To help wash down the Bajan delicacies, the water in Barbados is believed to be exceptionally pure. If it is too bland then the local rum is the next best choice. Mount Gay Rum from Barbados is the local base for punches and pina coladas.