Barbados is known as the 'Little England' of the Caribbean, but not to the point where the locals have given up rotis for steak and kidney pies, or rum for bitter ale. Bajans, as the islanders call themselves, are as West Indian as any of their neighbours and have tended to appropriate rather than adopt English customs. You'll notice this the first time you check out a local cricket match, since the gentlemanly English game has a totally different rhythm here. Nonetheless, there are old stone Anglican churches in every parish, horse races on Saturdays and portraits of Queen Liz hanging on plenty of walls.

Best time to visit

February to May.

Essential experiences

Taking a tram ride through Harrison's Cave; exploring the Barbados Museum and the adjacent history-laden Garrison area; wandering around grand 17th-century plantation homes and estate gardens; bodysurfing at Crane Beach; encountering local fauna at the Barbados Wildlife Reserve, which features green monkeys, red-footed turtles, caimans, brocket deer, iguanas and agoutis.

In a few words, Barbados is

Cricket fanatics, elderly women in prim hats, calypso music, rum and nightlife.

Did you know?

Barbados boasts more international cricket players on a per capita basis than any other nation and women are the head of the household in many families.