Bridgetown

Bridgetown is one of the most fascinating capitals in the Caribbean — a city that wears its history lightly but carries it everywhere. The UNESCO World Heritage designation covers the Historic Garrison area and the city centre, recognising the extraordinary collection of colonial architecture that has survived largely intact since the 17th century.

The Historic Garrison is the highlight. A collection of Georgian and Victorian military buildings surrounding the Garrison Savannah — now a racecourse — it's one of the best-preserved examples of British colonial military architecture in the world. The Barbados Museum, housed in the former military prison, is excellent. The cannon-lined Main Guard, the St Ann's Fort and the George Washington House (where the first US President stayed as a young man) are all worth visiting.

Kensington Oval, the home of West Indian cricket, is just a short walk from the Garrison. One of the most famous cricket grounds in the world, it has hosted Test matches since 1930 and was the venue for the 2007 Cricket World Cup final. The atmosphere during a match is extraordinary — if you can time your visit to coincide with a game, do.

Mount Gay Rum, founded in 1703, is the oldest rum brand in the world and a point of enormous pride for Barbadians. The visitors' centre offers tours of the distillery, tastings and cocktail masterclasses. It's one of the best distillery experiences in the Caribbean.

The city centre has good duty-free shopping on Broad Street, the main commercial street. The Pelican Craft Centre, near the cruise terminal, is the best place for local crafts and souvenirs. The Careenage — the inner harbour — is lined with restaurants and bars and is the most atmospheric part of the city.

Carlisle Bay, just south of the city centre, has excellent snorkelling on four shipwrecks in shallow, clear water. Sea turtles, angelfish, trunkfish and barracudas are regular sightings.