Barbados

A jewel in the Eastern Caribbean, Barbados is an island paradise ready for you to explore. If the ocean lapping – or crashing – against the shore lures and calls to you, head to one of the magnificent beaches along miles of sandy, sunny shoreline. You can enjoy scuba diving and snorkeling, or even snuba, a combination of the two, often with breath-taking 70 to 80 feet of underwater visibility and warm, blue water. For snorkeling, nothing beats Folkstone Underwater Park, where you follow the trail with signs above and below the water to help explain what you're seeing. Or, hop on a submarine tour to explore the varied sea life. Above the waves, there's windsurfing, kitesurfing, parasailing and waterskiing, as well as swimming, sunbathing and seashell collecting. Or, take one of the many boat cruises, whether it's a catamaran sail, a fishing excursion, or a tour on a pirate ship. Maybe you can head to Maycock's Fort, which is still said to contain buried booty. Looking for something truly unique? Take a visit to Harrison's Cave, a crystallized limestone cavern where you can journey deep beneath the island. Away from the water's edge, you can try your hand at golf, polo, hiking, horseback riding or even check out some horse-racing. And, of course, don't forget that Barbados is famous for its succulent seafood and a good rum punch. While there's no shame in traveling to Barbados to enjoy some fun in the sun, and no place better to do it, there's so much more to see and do on this island paradise, you might want to stay longer than you planned.