Barbados is a stunning independent island nation located in the Lesser Antilles, on the border between the Caribbean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean. Historically known as the undisputed birthplace of distilled rum, it stands out for the stark contrast between the serene turquoise waters of its West Coast (Platinum Coast) and the wild waves of the Atlantic at Bathsheba. It combines UNESCO-recognized colonial coral stone architecture, underground stalactite caves, elegant plantation mansions and an infectious joie de vivre epitomized by the 'Bajan' culture and its traditional 'rum shops'.