and lesser-known sights, from the glamorous celebrity-studded Platinum Coast to the wild, untamed remoteness of its Atlantic shoreline. The easternmost island in the Lesser Antilles is English-speaking and has a distinctly British vibe - both colonial legacies. Today the sun-drenched isle is especially popular with Europeans and North Americans. In-depth advice on accommodation features strongly, from luxury villas and multi-starred retreats to local guesthouses and family-friendly resorts, as do informed perspectives on where and what to eat, from gourmet beachside restaurants to Barbados street food and rum shops, where gossip is shared over a speciality tipple. Also covered are events that capture the culture, music (notably Caribbean jazz and calypso), food and drink of Bajan life, such as a Friday night 'lime' or 'fish-fry', plus sports and the much-loved Barbados carnival. Alongside excelling at toes-in-the-sand relaxation, Barbados richly rewards those who explore by bus, on day tours or by rental car - and doing so is straightforward, inexpensive and safe.