Again, this is an island that’s got a lot more to offer than its beaches, and St James – where British settlers first landed – has got some real history too. Barbados, known for its rich sugar-cane industry is generous with showing its past. A visit to the Portvale Sugar Factory to see one of the only remaining sugar factories on Barbados is a treat indeed, and the Sir Frank Hutson Sugar Museum, on the same site, has a wonderful selection of traditional machinery on display. The 19th- century St James Parish Church is a popular attraction - one of the four oldest surviving churches on the island. And, if you’re there for the Holetown Festival in February, be sure to go. Street parades, a vibrant atmosphere, incredible street food and endless music make for an inspiring day out.