Barbados

St Thomas is one of two parishes that are not on the coast, the other being St George. What St Thomas lacks in beaches it more than makes up for in the beauty of the countryside. Harrison's Caves and Welchman Hall Gully are two particularly beautiful natural areas. At Earthworks Pottery, you can watch the potters at work and buy some unique pieces to take home with you, while at Fisherpond Plantation House you can tour the house then stroll through the lush gardens. Harrison's Cave is one of the island's most famous attractions. This unique phenomenon of nature features underground caves with stalactites hanging from the roof, stalagmites rising from the ground, and streams of crystal-clear water dropping from rushing waterfalls and forming lakes of pure, cold, bright green water. The Great Hall, an enormous cavern 100 ft (34 m) high, and the Twin Falls where the cave's two rivers join are both quite amazing. About a half a mile (one km) north of Harrison's Caves is Welchman Hall Gully. This mile-long (1.6-km) densely wooded gulley was originally part of the Harrison's Cave network until the roof collapsed, leaving this natural trench in its place. Planted with exotic shrubs and trees since 1750, the site gives a glimpse of what the island looked like in the 16th century. The first grapefruit was created in Welchman Hall Gully as a result of cross-pollination between the pommel, a fruit originally from Indonesia, and the sweet orange. The grapefruit was named because it grows in grape-like clusters. Fisherpond Plantation House is a restored 350-year-old home filled with antiques and memorabilia. Surrounded by lush gardens, it has been the location for many a wedding and party. Owner, John Chandler, is happy to give personal tours through the house. Groups of six or more may book for lunch or dinner and enjoy the exclusivity of this spectacular home. Moving on to the North, St Lucy is the northernmost parish in Barbados, surrounded on three sides by the Atlantic Ocean. Windswept, lightly populated and undeveloped, its rugged coast has few beaches and they are difficult to access. At its northwestern tip is Harrison Point, home to one of only three lighthouses still in operation. To the south is the parish of St Peter, while to the north, west, and east is the Atlantic. There are no guided hikes in St Lucy, but the area is so scenic, you can park your car almost anywhere and find a great route to hike inland or along the coast. All the details you need are in this guide: where to stay, where to eat, how to get around, what to see and do - along with abundant color photos and maps.