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Barbados, affectionately known as “Bim” by locals, is a quintessential Caribbean paradise, renowned for its fusion of natural beauty and vibrant culture. The birthplace of rum and the grapefruit, this island is a heaven for foodies, surfers, golfers and cricketers alike. Its national dishes, cou cou and flying fish, have helped solidify its reputation as the culinary capital of the Caribbean. Striking landscapes have, meanwhile, made it a popular destination for weddings in the sun, where visitors are liable to find their eyes married to the sparkling turquoise waters, golden sands and cloudless skies – all represented by the colours of the nation’s flag. (The lyric “Shine bright like a diamond” comes to mind, as Rihanna famously hails from the nation.)
The island’s name, derived from Portuguese or Spanish for “the bearded one”, likely refers to the distinctive bearded fig trees peppering its landscape. Barbados also boasts spectacular attractions such as Harrison’s Cave, a system of caverns so vast that its streams, waterfalls and limestone formations are frequently explored via electric tram tours.