Bridgetown, Barbados

Barbados is a sophisticated tropical beauty steeped in English heritage and enlivened by the warm Bajan culture. In the capital of Bridgetown, the well-preserved Old Town and historic Garrison district represent an impressive British legacy designated a UNESCO World Heritage site. The island’s lush interior is largely covered in forest and fields of sugar cane, a source of prized rums and great colonial fortunes. Attractions include restored great houses, a wildlife preserve, the underground formations of Harrison’s Cave, first-rate golfing and some 60 beaches of incredible variety. To the west are white sands and gentle azure waters. The south is the center for both nightlife and reef snorkeling, while the high cliffs of the southeast form a stunning backdrop for windsurfing. The windswept east coast, with its pounding Atlantic surf, is Barbados at its most rugged and wild.