An at-a-glance guide to enjoy the best of Barbados

I spent time with frequent visitors and those who call Barbados their second home to uncover the ins and outs of this special island. I tapped some of my insiders, like, Amro Sabounchi as well as new acquaintances, like William Gordon, owner of the amazing Fustic House, to make sure I did not miss a thing on my trip … and here, pass them along to you.

Sundays:  Grab lunch, swim, & lounge under your beach umbrella at Lobster Alive beach bar, next to the Waterfront in Bridgetown, with live jazz too.

Evenings: Twilight fish fry at Moontown, Half Moon Fort, north of the Fish Pot. A trip to the bars & restaurants in the Gap (Saint Lawrence Gap in Christ Church), to enjoy local fare and live entertainment all night long. 

Shopping: Newly opened Barefoot on the Beach, in St. James (near Sandy Lane), for beautiful silk kaftans & amazing handmade quilts and Earthworks for island hand-finished red clay ceramic pieces—very colorful.

Golf & Tennis: Sandy Lane has three spectacular golf courses, including "The Old Nine" the famous course that wanders throughout the estate. If you are up for tennis, the pro at Sandy Lane will coordinate lessons, setting up tournaments or private practice sessions on one of their nine courts.

On the Water: Top snorkeling & diving (Barbados is known as the shipwreck capital of the Caribbean), great place to learn to dive, try the outfit Caradonna Dive Adventure. Charter a catamaran, "El Tigre" is a known one.

Kite-surfing:  Barbados is known for its kite-surfing conditions, especially on the Southern side of the island (Silver Sands & Surfer's point). My insider Amro Sabounchi says to go to deAction Beach Shop on Silver Rock Beach, for kite-surfing and windsurfing lessons. It is owned by windsurfing legend Brian Talma, who is at his shop and teaches most days. 

Get Pampered/Spa: Both the spas at Coral Reel Club & Sandy Lane hotels are worth a half day of lazing and being treated well, if you have the time.

To See: Visit St Nicholas Abbey in St Lucy (one of only three remaining Jacobean mansions in the Western hemisphere), drive Cherry Tree Hill (one of the most beautiful views on the island), then lunch at the Cove, on the East coast, above Cattlewash. Swim with huge sea turtles, accessible from many beaches. Laugh with the monkeys (but don't touch!) around the Sandy Lane Estate; they are real characters.

To Go: Visit Four Square Rum factory (much bigger and more sophisticated than Mount Gay), just off from the airport. If you are traveling with kids, they will be wowed by the crystallized limestone caverns that are Harrison's Caves. Charter a sailboat and take a day trip to the Grenadines to sail the gorgeous Tobago Cays…

To Eat: See my Barbados restaurant file for the top picks and why. *Note that the Fish Pot is, in my opinion, exactly what one looks for on a Caribbean island.

To Know: If coming from Europe on British Airways, DO fly out of the Jet Center, which is adjacent to the airport. For $75 per person, you cut check-in time by 75%, breeze through a simple security check, then are driven direct to the airplane. On arrival, the traffic can be very heavy if anywhere near rush hour—FYI.