Barbados

Holidays in Barbados serve up the Caribbean with a twist. Expect sweet-but-spicy cuisine, free-flowing rum, and a British-style love for cricket

Sugary sand

Beaches are Barbados’ forte. Because it’s an island formed mostly by coral, all 92 kilometres of its shores are iced with sugary-white sand. In the north-west, the sand is so fine that it’s earned the title of the platinum coast. Underneath the sparkly emerald waters, you’ve got reefs filled with kaleidoscopic fish, rays and turtles, making it a snorkeler’s paradise.

Spicy city

Bridgetown is the island’s quirky capital. There, Caribbean and British influences blend to create a unique mix. Explore the old British army barracks at the Garrison Consortium, followed by a live calypso band. Or tour a rum distillery, before watching a cricket match on the green.

Tranquil towns

With a Cruise & Stay holiday, you can stay in five different destinations on Barbados’ west coast. St James nabs the top spot for beaches. St Lawrence, meanwhile, is famous for its lively reggae bars and restaurants and is just a hop away from Bridgetown. You’ve also got the beachfront resorts of Maxwell, Hastings and Rockley, which are all about lazy days on the sand while still being within easy reach of the capital.