The island of Barbados was found in 1492 by the Portuguese, then taken over by Spain. According to many people the name ‘Barbados’ means bearded-ones although this has been swamped with disagreements on where the name actually came from. Some believe it was named after a fig tree’s long hanging roots and some propose it is named after the foam spraying over the reefs in the structure of a beard.

A great way of checking the island out and seeing what it has to offer is by using the islands range of transport, and taking a helicopter flight is just one of the ways where you can see the islands shorelines and rural areas from a great view, a spectacular part to your getaway.

On your holiday to the sultry island of Barbados you can’t come home without experiencing the recreational sport of scuba diving. You will get the prospect to explore the underwater world and swim with tropical fishes and turtles, or snorkel on the many coral reefs that surround the island. Nonetheless if you choose to keep your head above water you can spend some time looking at the choice of boat cruises and trips that are accessible, where you can settle down and take great delight in the trip of a lifetime while you can soak up some sun. There are also twilight tours which are brilliant for those passionate moments where you get the chance to see Barbados illuminated and also land cruises that will take you by coach to the hotspots on the island.

If you would rather tour the island on your own and at your own convenience there are masses of rental car opportunities and for just $5 you can get a temporary license that will let you drive legally in Barbados. With your own car you can discover different parts of the island that aren’t explored with selected group trips.

Let your imagination run wild and try out some foods that you didn’t know existed, Barbados in terms of food will give you an enigmatic culinary experience with a variety of foods to choose from that will arouse your taste buds. The chefs on the island use a diverse of bona fide dishes and combine Mediterranean, Caribbean and Eastern flavours to make a variety of appetizing cuisines to satisfy you. So whether it is a hearty barbecue on the beach or a beautiful evening dinner you are sure to enjoy.

When your looking for a place to stay, Barbados has many top class apartments, hotels and guest houses and they all have the latest in modern technologies. However if you are looking for exclusive luxury there are many chances to hire villas around parts of the island, many of which are located on the sea shores.

Maria is a freelance journalist writing about tourism, whilst working on     for eComparison.