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The terrain changes dramatically from each of the island's 11 parishes to the next, and so does the pace. Bridgetown, the capital, is a busy and fairly sophisticated city. West-coast resorts and private estates ooze luxury, whereas the small villages and vast sugar plantations found throughout central Barbados reflect the island's history. The relentless Atlantic surf shaped the cliffs of the dramatic east coast, and the northeast is called Scotland because of its hilly landscape and broad vistas. Along the lively south coast, the daytime hustle and bustle produce a palpable energy that continues well into the night at restaurants and nightspots.
Straddling the Ermy Bourne Highway on the East Coast just north of Bathsheba, this 50-acre public park was gifted to Barbados by Barclays Bank (now First Caribbean International Bank) after independence was declared in 1966. Pack a picnic lunch, run around, and enjoy the gorgeous ocean view.
