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is located on Barbados' captivating western shore (or the Caribbean side). The hotel itself boasts breathtaking sea views, a modern open-air layout and complimentary water sports. One of the things that makes the island's geography so incredibly unique is how different its beaches are from not only other islands, but from its own contrasting coasts. On the western shores, Barbados is the epitome of that 'picture-perfect- paradise' with clear, calm waters and pristine beaches, including incredible reefs (ideal for snorkeling, as the island itself is comprised of nearly 85 percent coral limestone). However, venturing to the east (Atlantic) coast has an entirely different feel, particularly Bathsheba Beach, where there is no shortage of jagged cliffs and roaring waves, certainly picturesque in its own right and regularly playing host to international surf competitions. Physically, Barbados is a relatively flat island compared to its volcanic neighbors, making it faultless for exploring. Being that Barbados is only 14 miles wide including all of its 11 parishes (districts), with a population of roughly 285,000, one of the best ways to explore is to schedule an island safari jeep tour. While that might sound incredibly touristy, you'll get a great idea of the island's physical diversity and where you'll want to spend your time in just a few short hours (bonus: you'll also get a glimpse of Rihanna's $22 million home and Simon Cowell's beachside retreat). Notable options include deep sea diving in the company of sea turtles, visiting the Mount Gay distillery (the oldest rum distillery in the world) and exploring Harrison's Cave in the island's central uplands. In addition to gazing out into the sea beneath a set of royal palms, Barbados is a renowned culinary destination, with everything from casual family venues to world- class gourmet cuisine. In addition to attending the island's Annual Food and Rum Festival, we had the opportunity to visit one of the island's most acclaimed restaurants, Cafe Luna. An open air, rooftop design located at Little Arches—a luxury boutique hotel set beside the unspoiled Enterprise Beach—the restaurant fuses Barbadian (or Bajan) fare with Mediterranean, African and West Indian food, creating a one-of- a-kind dining experience that simply cannot be duplicated. Helmed by Canadian Chef/Owner Mark (Moo) De Gruchy, Cafe Luna is everything one could love about fine dining without the stiffness (seriously, don't leave the island without trying Chef Gruchy's "Moo"jito). Overall, there's so much to love about the island's food and drink culture, especially its countless rum shacks and authentic variations of flying fish sandwiches, the country's national dish. If you're on the island on a Friday night, head to the southern coast for the fish fry at Oistins Bay Gardens. Part of Barbados' allure is in its people, particularly how they treat guests and their undeniable sense of pride. This hospitality and patriotism extends to everybody from your taxi driver to government officials. And it's that neighborly, laidback culture coupled with the island's rich history that is so infectious, leaving one longing to return. "When you come here, just know we have people who are going to take care of you," Ambassador Marshall told us. When you visit Barbados, you'll not only realize how safe and relaxed you feel, but just why it's considered 'The Gem' of the Caribbean. Now with a direct flight on a leading airline like JetBlue, the chance to visit paradise is more accessible than ever before. V U E N J . C O M 115 VUE ON TRAVEL

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