Anchoring the Gold Coast primo spot is Sandy Lane, Barbados' grand-daddy of luxurious stays--and the site of Tiger's wedding. For years, the refined resort has attracted the very rich, as well as the famous that come for its gourmet meals (they're true fruits de mer feasts), Roman-style spa, golf on three impeccable courses, and all-around fine living. Even with $800/night rooms, Sandy Lane commands a healthy clientele of repeat visitors, which includes many families who land there for a full two weeks over Christmas, considered the island's high season. Its wide beach, which is shaded with gracious ancient trees, however, anyone can enjoy.

Places to Eat

It's a well-known fact that McDonald's failed miserably on Barbados. As one local explained, "Islanders are suspicious of beef. Cows are so big, but give us fish, chicken, or pork and we're happy." Just as you won't see monster hotels on Barbados, you won't see many chain restaurants either (except for Chefette, Barbados' answer to KFC-meets-ice cream parlor.)

Bajans eat well, and the island dishes up a range of culinary experiences. Flying fish is one of the most usual suspects on menus at Caribbean joints (first marinated in lime, salt and herbs, then broiled, grilled or seared), but high-falutin' French eateries serving dorado au poivre are almost just as common.

Those who delight in island delicacies will want to keep their eyes peeled for street-side stalls serving such delicious (if greasy) snacks as conch fritters, fried kingfish, and grilled pigtails ($2). Just sidle up, and place your order to go, or hang out and listen to calypso on the radio while you order seconds.

At night, the sidewalks come alive with food vendors. The pedestrian strip between Rockley Beach and Worthing south of Bridgetown is a good bet. There, you'll also find the Ship Inn, an English pub that's been around for decades--think pints of stout and shepherd's pie, but it also serves a mean rum punch ($5) and flying fish and chips ($13).

Nearby David's Place is good for real-deal Caribbean fare for those on a budget. Tuck into dinners of pickled chicken wings and Bajan fish dishes served with fiery pepper pot for all of $20.In the blink-and-you'll-pass-it fishing enclave on Mullen's Beach just north of St. Charles on the West Coast, the family-run Fish Pot restaurant serving gourmet dishes mainly featuring daily catches in a breezy, beachside dining room. The Fish Pot's not near much else, but is worth the drive, or taxi ride to get there. Dinners at this sweet out-of-the-way spot will run you about $30.

Other recommendations include: The Cliff (very romantic and pricey with dramatic torch-lit dining, cliffside), Daphne's (Italian in a stylish setting), Sasafras, Carambola (French), Joseph's, La Mer (International), and Sugar Sugar.

Barbados by air

Barbados sits about 300 miles northeast of Venezuela. Cruise ships do visit the island's lauded shores, but for most people hopping on an airplane is the easiest (and cheapest) way to get to the West Indian isle, especially if you can nab a nonstop flight.

From the East Coast, the five-hour flight is a straight shot south; expect to spend more time on a plane (and more money) from the West Coast. American, which flies daily nonstops from NYC and Miami has a good hold on air travel to Barbados, but so does BWIA with Dallas added as a nonstop gateway. Air Jamaica flies from all of these cities, as well as Chicago and Los Angeles. US Airways, too, is making inroads in the skies over Barbados. The Barbados government requires visitors to pay a $13 departure tax when they leave (both Barbados dollars and US greenbacks are accepted).

For travel post-hurricane season in mid-November, the best prices on round-trip airfare (weekend to weekend) to Barbados are as follows: