BARBADOS: ROMANTIC ACTIVITIES

Barbados is home to many romantic beaches where couples can snorkel in calm Caribbean waters or enjoy windswept vistas on the Atlantic shoreline. Swimmers should definitely head to the Caribbean coast; precautions should be taken not to get over waist deep in the often-dangerous Atlantic currents. These Atlantic waters are preferred by windsurfers and sailors, but swimmers are better off with the calm waters found on Mullins Beach, Crane Beach, and Dover Beach.

The natural beauty of Barbados can also be enjoyed in many of its other attractions. Hold hands and enjoy a ride into Harrison's Cave, where damp rooms reveal their hidden formations, waterfalls, and pools. A sea cave rather than a cavern, the Animal Flower Cave 246-439-8797 is named for the sea anemones found in its pools.

History lovers should make plans to be in Barbados on Sunday to participate in one of the walking tours sponsored by the Barbados National Trust 246-426-2421. Starting at 6 a.m. and 3:30 p.m., the walks are a good way to learn more about the culture and history of this rich island.

History buffs will also appreciate a tour of the great houses. St. Nicholas Abbey 246-422-8725, built in 1650, is one of only three houses of Jacobean architecture that remain standing in the Western Hemisphere. With Dutch gables and coral finials, the estate combines European and Caribbean styles and is well worth the meager admission price.

Sam Lord's Castle ,246-436-8929, located in St. Philip on the eastern shore, is another must-see. Now a hotel, the "castle," built in 1820, is rich with tales of piracy on the high seas and stories of Sam Lord allegedly luring ships onto the eastern shore's rocky coastline. With elaborate plaster ceilings created by the same artist who crafted the ceilings of Windsor Castle, gilt mirrors, and fine mahogany furniture, this is a Caribbean gem of a home and now a hotel.

If you're wondering what lies beneath the ocean's depths, take a cruise aboard the Atlantis Submarine 246-436-8929, which cruises to a depth of 150-feet below sea level. It's an excellent way for non-divers to see the rich marine life and the wrecks that surround this island.

Golf lovers are in good shape; Barbados is home to a Robert Trent Jones, Jr.-designed course. Royal Westmoreland 246-422-4653, an 18-hole championship course, is the best known on the island. Other popular choices are the 18-hole Sandy Lane course 246-432-1311, and nine-hole courses at Almond Beach Village and Club Rockley hotels.

And, if all this touring whets your thirst, take the Mount Gay Rum Tour 246-425-8757, for a look at the place where the oldest rum in the world is produced. Luncheon tours include a Bajan buffet, transportation to and from your hotel, and, of course, a complimentary miniature bottle of the distillery's product. Regular, 45-minute tours are offered on weekdays every half hour and include a taste of Mount Gay Rum at the conclusion of the tour. Or, for a little different taste, stop by Malibu Visitors Centre 246-425-9393, in St. Michael to tour the distillery that produces Malibu Caribbean White Rum with Coconut. After the tour, enjoy a Bajan barbecue or take a swim on the beach. Other local product tours include Cockspur Rum tours 246-420-1977 and Banks Breweries Tours 246-429-2113.

If the two of you will be enjoying many excursions, check out the Heritage Passport Program 246-436-9033, sponsored by the Barbados National Trust. Sixteen sites are included on the pass, which offers about a 50% savings on admission (a mini passport is available for fewer stops). The passport includes admission to Harrison's Cave, St. Nicholas Abbey, Mount Gay, and many other sites.