Barbados

A white-sand beach, a huge golf course, or a duty-free shopping complex can be found pretty much anyplace in the Caribbean, but tourists to Barbados may sample the bittersweet Mount Gay Rum, dance to the beat of a calypso song, or watch a polo or cricket match. Even if you could spend all of your time on the beach, there's plenty more to see and do in this Caribbean paradise. This opulent island boasts stunning architecture, a fervent sports culture, and a party-loving mentality.

Barbados, the Caribbean's easternmost island, juggles two diverse cultures to produce a distinct Bajan personality. Even though it gained independence from the United Kingdom in 1966, the island maintains British customs such as afternoon tea, cricket, and horse racing. The island's sugar cane fields, rum distilleries, and beautiful scenery, however, bear the hallmarks of the Caribbean and West Africa. Then there are the numerous beaches. While all of Barbados' beaches provide breathtaking vistas and soothing ocean breezes, Dover Beach, Bathsheba Beach, and the sands facing Carlisle Bay are among the must-sees.