Within five minutes' walk of Cassia Cottage you could be on the beach, at the Sunset Crest pool, or enjoying some retail therapy at the Chattel House Village.

Another two minutes and you're at the West Coast Mall, which includes the SuperCentre supermarket, a business centre with internet access, and some great independent shops.

When you fancy chilling out, pop across the road from the Mall to Surfside or Cocomos - both terrific places for a local Banks beer or a rum punch whilst enjoying fabulous views of the Caribbean.

If you've had enough chilling out(!), why not get out and explore the island? Although it's small, there are plenty of things to do for all age groups. Here are some of our favourites:

Harrison's Cave www.harrisonscave.com
Welchman Hall Gully
Flower Forest www.barbados.org/flowfrst.htm
Andromeda Botanical Gardens www.andromeda.cavehill.uwi.edu
Orchid World www.barbados.org/sightseeing/orchidworld
Earthworks Pottery www.earthworks-pottery.com
St Nicholas Abbey www.stnicholasabbey.com
Cool Runnings catamaran cruises www.coolrunningsbarbados.com
Eco Dives www.ecodivebarbados.com
Highland Adventures www.barbados.org/tours/highland
Barbados Wildlife Reserve & Grenade Hall www.barbadosmonkey.dhc-ltd.com

On your way back up Highway 1 (the coast road) make sure you stop at Tuckaway at Paynes Bay. They make yummy homemade ice cream and sorbets (including soya) in the flavours of the Caribbean like cinnamon, nutmeg and ginger, as well as lovely fruit flavours. Their opening hours are Monday-Saturday 10am-9pm; Sundays and holidays 4-9pm.

Explore Barbados by clicking and dragging the map below. The marker indicates the location of Cassia Cottage.