From the boulder-spattered east coast to the sparkling stretches of sand that line the western shore, the beautiful colonial bridges and statues of Nelson in Bridgetown to the falling apart plantations and fishing towns of the north, Barbados is a genuinely enthralling and interesting Caribbean destination to say the least.

Steeped in tales of piracy and English colonialism, doused in rum and set to the succulent aromas of weekend fish french fries, the island makes its home in the middle of the beautiful Lesser Antilles chain.

There, it attracts SCUBA divers with its fringes of reefs, sunbathers with the beautiful southern beaches, surfers with the iconic rollers of Bathsheba Bay, history buffs with those skyrocketing forts and UNESCO sites, foodies with spice-topped swordfish-- the list goes on.

Which's not even mentioning the uber-luxurious all-encompassing hotels and earthy eateries that pepper the towns, or the perennially-smiling residents that always make a journey here a delighted affair!

1. See the cliffs and waves of Bathsheba Beach

Whether you concern Bathsheba to wax up the surf board and wear the board shorts for a flight over the swells of the renowned Soup Bowl (specialists only!), or to gawp up at the striking cliffs and extending rocks that sprawl and pepper the sands and the coastline alike, you can feel confident that you're in for a genuine reward.

Absolutely among the most attractive seaside areas in all of Barbados, this one makes its house between the craggy headlands of the east coast.

While swimming isn't suggested (the rip tides can get rather rough), scaling the sea-vines and dunes to watch the crashing waves break, or chatting with the local Bajans in Bathsheba Park are 2 fantastic ways to enjoy its natural beauty.

2. Stroll around historic Bridgetown

Cut-through the middle with the vibrant shopping strip of Broad Street, it's loaded with quite little historic sites like the Chamberlain Bridge and the stunning neo-Gothic Parliament Structures, built in the haute couture of Victorian England.

There are honorific statues of Nelson and other grand colonial figures beinged in the sun-splashed squares too, balanced out by the vibrant quays of Bridgetown harbour, where little rum bars pulse with the chatter of travelers and off-duty regional fishermen alike.

Yep, Bridgetown is a great place to roam and take in the Bajan environment.

3. Unwind in the middle of Hunte's Gardens

A patchwork of flowering orchid flowers and emerald-green fern explosions, of looming palm boughs and yellow-tipped craboo trees, this gorgeous enclave of horticultural majesty is a fine places to visit in barbados place to get familiarized with the large wealth of biodiversity that enhances the tropical Caribbean.

Owned by regional Anthony Hunte, the gardens are planned to be a fully-fledged sensory experience.

Visitors are welcomed to walk the winding paths and nurseries, identifying the uncommon flowers and relaxing as classical compositions wander through the trunks and canopies.

4. See a heritage marvel at St. Nicholas Abbey

Head through the green fields and palm groves east of Moore Hill in northern Barbados to discover the elegant Jacobean exteriors of St. Nicholas Abbey.

Among only three heritage websites of its kind in the Western Hemisphere, the website dates method back to the 1600s, which is when sugarcane was very first raised and harvested on the fields around the main home.

Uncommonly, the crop is still cultivated here today, while St. Nicholas Abbey itself has actually ended up being a museum website, inviting travelers to explore its brought back interior rooms.

Entry tickets also include a rum punch cocktail and access http://www.thefreedictionary.com/barbados attractions to the beautiful opportunities of Cherry Tree Hill nearby-- think incredible panoramas of the east coast's cliffs!

5. See horses and history at the Garrison Savannah Historic Location

Just a stone's toss from main Bridgetown on the southern side of the island is where travelers can look into the assortment of history and sporting action that is the Garrison Savannah Area.

A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the area hosts structures like the George Washington Home, where the erstwhile first President of the United States once took refuge in the 1750s.

There are also a series of ruined barracks and fort structures used by the British.

However, it's the Garrison racetrack that takes centre stage.

This is where the abundant landowners of Barbados would have as soon as raced their mares, and today the heart-thumping competitions continue, with routine race days on the Grass Club's calendar from January through April!

6. Hug the baobab of Queen's Park

Living up to the credibility of the round baobab in grand design, the enormous trunk of Barbados' biggest tree can be discovered (and hugged, at least if there's a group of you!) on the yards of quite little Queen's Park in the heart of Bridgetown.

Considered by many to be the fattest tree in the entire Caribbean region, it takes around 15 grownups to stretch around the full area of the main branch! A small sign uses details on the age and heritage of the mighty tree, while the surrounding gardens of the park host a quite Bandstand and the Queen's Park art gallery to boot.

7. Walk the length of the Barbados Boardwalk

The very first of its kind in the entire Caribbean, the Barbados Boardwalk links up almost two kilometers of beachfront around the southern seaside stretches of the island.

Flat and well-kept, it attracts walkers and joggers, who can go all the way from the pearly sands of Rockley Beach in Hastings in the east to the coconut groves of Coconut Court Beach in the west.

Along the way there are countless little rum shacks and bars to delight in, while there are also swaying palm trees and blooming cassias, pretty clusters of fig bushes and plenty of locations to sit and take in the salted ocean breeze.