Beach Basking In Brilliant Barbados

No doubt you will want to take it easy and just relax after your long journey, so we have kept the first couple of days of your luxury Barbados itinerary free in order to soak up some island sun and get sipping on some cocktails. Put your feet up and bask in the warm rays on the pristine white sand beaches and leave the real world behind for a while. Enjoy lounging by the hotel pool or on the beach, or romantic evening strolls.

With over 80 pristine beaches across the island you are spoilt for choice should you wish to venture out of your hotel. Our top tips for exploring include the Top Deck, Beach Bar - the west coast's best spot for beach days - with cocktails in hand. Enjoy the company of tourists and locals and take the opportunity to sample the delicious selection of food from beachside barbecues.

If you are hungry for a different kind of sandy spot to place your beach bag, try Crane Beach. Located on the southeast coast, this beach is often included in roundups of the 'World's Top 10 Beaches' and is a must see for any visit to the island. Bring a picnic and a cooler of drinks and spend your day enjoying your very own slice of paradise.

As the sun sets head back to your hotel for a delicious dinner listening to the waves breaking on the beach.

The next two days are yours to explore the all that Barbados has to offer.

We recommend that you rent a car to explore the island at your own pace; we can arrange this for you ahead of time, or organise a private driver if you would prefer.

After a leisurely breakfast served on the beach boardwalk, just a few feet from the water, venture to whichever activity takes your fancy. We can arrange anything from guided bike tours to sailing lessons. While you're here, take the chance to explore one of the stars of the island - its crystal clear waters. Stand up paddle boarding is a great way to enjoy some time out at sea. We can recommend instructors if you are new to using these oversized surf boards and their paddles so that you can make the most of your time out on the water while you float around the coastline.

If delving deeper into the blue is your thing then there are few places better to see shipwrecks than the island once famous for grounding ships. Carlisle Bay (not to be outdone by Antigua's own Carlisle Bay) is a great spot for anyone who is keen to see intact wrecks, reefs and an abundance of tropical fish.

If you would like to spend some time on dry land a guided bike tour is a fun way to see the sights and go off the beaten track to reach otherwise inaccessible spots.

Interested in history? Take half-a-day and visit St Nicholas Abbey, a plantation house built in the 1660's - one of the three remaining Jacobean style mansions in the western hemisphere. Beautiful gardens and a rich history make this house a wonderful stop off but if you need any more convincing, their award-winning white and spiced rums can be sampled on site.

Spend the last days for your time in paradise swimming in the turquoise blue waters, lying on the white sandy beaches and topping up your tan. The only reason to move will be the inciting smell of pizza sizzling in the wood burning stove at the hotel and the prospect of a rum daiquiri (or two) in the bar come evening.

After a full week idyllic island life, today you sadly have to head back home. The journey begins with a private transfer back to Barbados airport where you can check in for and board your direct flight. As with on the way the flight time is around eight hours.

Take the chance to snooze or flick through your pictures from your week in the sun.