St. Philip

Situated in the south-eastern corner of this beautiful island, St Philip is a striking region of lush greenery and rugged Atlantic coastline. Despite its diminutive size, Barbados is an island of contrasts, with something for everyone – when you’ve had enough of the calm sandy beaches and amazing coral reefs of the west coast, head to St Philip for crashing waves, powerful surf and rocky promontories. Discover the 'real' pirates of the Caribbean in the shocking history of this parish; Sam Lord’s Castle near Ragged Point is a 19th century villa built with the wealth that the island’s notorious buccaneer allegedly accrued from a career in luring merchant ships on to the lethal rocks.

Attractions

The East Point lighthouse is situated at Ragged Point, a great spot for cliff top walks with spectacular coastal views. Just out to sea, the tiny Culpepper Island perches jauntily in the turquoise blue Atlantic Ocean, enhancing the stunning scene. It can be reached by wading and swimming at low-tide, but caution should be taken as the ocean can be very rough. The island attracted attention in March this year when a group of descendants of the native Arawak and Carib tribes released a statement claiming ownership of it. This is a political rather than a practical move as the island is too small to be inhabitable!

For a secluded, relaxing beach experience, head out to Long Beach or The Crane. The beach at The Crane can be accessed by strolling through the up-market hotel of the same name and descending a long staircase or by scrambling over rocks, but it’s worth the walk; sheltered by rocky cliffs, the beach is a hidden gem, one of the island’s best – and that’s saying something.

Built for European planters over 300 years ago, Sunbury Plantation House is the only one of the original estates which opens all of its rooms to tourists. Visit for fascinating insights into this island’s intriguing colonial history and delicious refreshments at the bar and restaurant! (Open 9am-5pm, 7 days a week; admission $15 adults, $7 children).

Those who appreciate the island’s staple beverage shouldn’t miss the Mount Gay Rum Tour, just north of Bridgetown in the nearby parish of St Michael. Learn about the history of rum production– an essential part of the island’s economy – and enjoy generous samples of different varieties of the oldest rum in the world. (Open 9am – 3.45pm Monday-Friday, admission $10).

Shopping

Check out Pelican Village in nearby St Michael – an exciting market of enclosed stalls offering a huge selection of quality arts, crafts and souvenirs. Following the introduction of air conditioning, the complex is quieter than it used to be – the closed doors mean that some of the noise and bustle of a traditional market is lost, to the distress of some regulars – but there are still plenty of delights to explore and the sellers continue to be lively and chatty. Lose yourself in the maze of shops and discover the old-fashioned loom where beautiful fabrics are woven as you watch.

Nightlife and Eating Out

A visit to Barbados isn’t complete until you’ve sampled the delights of the local cuisine. A sweet, ice-cold rum punch is an essential accompaniment to a Caribbean sunset over a palm-fringed beach. Barbados has more than its share of fabulous restaurants serving a huge range of fresh fish dishes, including treats such as barracuda and dolphin-fish. A plateful of delicious, delicately flavoured flying fish, fried and seasoned with lime, is a delicacy unique to this island.

However, it’s not just the up-market eateries that offer a gastronomic experience to define your vacation. Fantastic Caribbean fried fish-balls, chewy and golden, can be bought for a few dollars from the many beachside stands. The Trinidadian chocolate ice-cream will tempt the most sophisticated gourmand, whilst a sticky-sweet snow-cone from a street seller, composed of syrup poured over crushed ice and available in an unimaginable array of flavours and colours, is a real taste of the island.

Tourist Information

Barbados Tourism Authority, Harbour Road, Bridgetown, BarbadosTelephone: +1 (246) 427-2623 Website: www.barbados.org

Airport

Barbados is a small place and the Grantley Adams International Airport in the parish of Christchuch is just a couple of hour’s drive from any destination on the island.