We've been exploring some of the best sites on Barbados this week and have come across a real gem - the Barbados Photo Gallery.

Built by local photographer, Stephen Mendes, the site has great photos of famous Barbados attractions and landmarks as well as its beautiful beaches, flora and fauna and much more. It is also frequently updated, with the last update in September and more promised for this month. We highly recommend you check it out!

Most cruises from the UK to Barbados will sail from Southampton, and a cruise ship will seldom - if ever - sail to only one Caribbean destination.

The average UK/Caribbean cruise will last for approximately 2 weeks, and, although, guests will get to cross the mighty Atlantic in their state-of-the-art cruise ship, which comes with all the modern conveniences and then some, they will usually fly back home.

Bajan beaches are truly unique as their appearance can change from year to year depending on, among other things, the strength of the tides. The south and west coast beaches are also completely different in character from the east and north coast beaches as the calm Caribbean that laps the island's south-western edge is worlds apart from the tempestuous and testy Atlantic that attacks the north-east.

Those thinking of making Barbados the place to be for their next holiday have, basically, two choices when it comes to stylish accommodation: opulent hotels-cum-seaside resorts and luxury self-catering villas.

Although there is absolutely nothing wrong with the larger resorts, which are extremely well appointed and which usually have more complex infrastructures than most small countries, there is much to be said for relaxing in the privacy, peace and quiet of one's own premier self-catering apartment.

Barbados is known throughout the Caribbean as being home to some of the best championship golf courses in the region, so visitors to this Creole paradise should waste no time and should pick up their clubs the minute their plane touches down.

Of all the Bajan golf clubs, the most well known is possibly the Barbados Golf Club itself, and this premier venue, which is situated in Christ Church Parish, offers visitors a stunning 18-hole course designed by the world-renowned Fellow of the American Society of Golf Course Architects, Ron Kirby.

http://barbadosgolfclub.com/index.cfm

The island of Barbados is lucky to be home to several of the most exciting - not to mention picturesque - surfing spots on the planet, and visitors to this captivating Caribbean isle should make the most of them, even if they are not experienced surfers.

Surfers can do their thing at most of the Bajan beaches, although several of them - including the wild western portion of Worthing Beach and Bottom Bay Beach with its tumultuous and tempestuous seas - are more suited to surfing than others.

Most tourists arrive in Barbados after enjoying either a Caribbean cruise or a fairly lengthy flight that will set them down at the Sir Grantley Adams International Airport, which lies just east of the Bajan capital, Bridgetown. From there on out, they have several choices as to how to get around the island including using buses or taxis and - in order to get that extra bit of independence - renting a car.

Shopping may not be the first thing that pops into one's head when planning a visit to Barbados, but, given the exciting Bajan shopping experiences that are up for grabs, perhaps it should be.

On top of the canny tourist's to-buy list must surely be those items that are most associated with the captivating Caribbean paradise that is the island of Barbados: rum cakes (and bottles of rum!), gorgeous jewellery, leatherwork and artwork.

Barbados is already one of the most relaxing places on earth, and everyone who visits this Caribbean paradise should leave the country with far more energy than when they arrived. Bajan spas are the cherries on top of the island's lustrous icing, and, although there may be nothing better than relaxing on a beautiful Bajan beach, spending time in a splendid spa surely comes close.