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Sometimes you visit a place that leaves you speechless, and Hunte's Gardens in Barbados does just that to me - and those who know me well know I'm not often left lost for words!I think you may feel the same when you see my first photo of today's location. This tropical paradise is one of the most beautiful places I've ever been. Located in the lush hills of St. Joseph's, it's accessible from anywhere in Barbados, and is probably one of the best signposted places on the island! The gardens were created by a legendary horticulturist, Anthony Hunte, and even if you're not green fingered, I guarantee you'll be blown away by what he and his team have created. The gardens are in a sink-hole like gully; and there is an easy path to take you round, as you pass the exotic plants and incredibly vibrant colours. If you're lucky, you may meet Anthony at his extraordinary house (which was converted from an old stable) which is signposted ...

If you find yourself on the beautiful island of Barbados, you must sample the delicious rum punch on the island, and Cutters Deli is the place to do it. It's a lovely little place, just ten minutes from the airport, and not far from Crane Beach - in fact they will even deliver your food to the beach if you like! Roger and Kim Goddard created this lovely place having moved to Barbados in 1999. They knew this area needed a neighbourhood deli - a place to enjoy good food, and for friends to meet - and so Cutters was born! In case you're wondering where the name comes from, a "cutter" is the Bajan word for a sandwich made with a bread roll.  The first time I visited Cutters I went for breakfast, and boy did it do the job - delicious pancakes with bacon, which certainly set me up for a day of wave jumping on Crane beach.  I loved it so much, I went back for rum punch.....warning......it certainly packs a punch!  One of their main products is Cutt...

On a recent trip to the Caribbean I was sitting on my balcony enjoying the sunset with a cheeky rum sundowner, when I got some company in the form of this little chap in the photo below. He sat quite patiently while I went to get him some bread, and posed quite nicely for me while I took this photo! It was one of those moments where you have to be quick with the camera in case your subject matter decides he's had enough to eat for the night and flies off - thankfully on this occasion he stuck around for just enough time!

When I decided to pick three Caribbean islands to feature, I should have known it would be tough to narrow it down to only three! Where to visit depends on what you're looking for, as the Caribbean offers so much choice for different tastes and budgets. I finally whittled it down, but couldn't bring myself to put them in any particular order! Nevertheless, here are my top 3! St. Vincent and the Grenadines Made up of 32 islands and cays, St. Vincent and the Grenadines lies to the west of Barbados and south of Saint Lucia. The islands are relatively deserted, with just nine of them inhabited, and they're simply beautiful. As well as luxury accommodation, the islands offer rainforest adventures and miles of powder-white sand beaches.....what more could you ask for! Barbados Regular visitors to this blog will know I have a soft spot for  Barbados . The most easterly of the Caribbean islands has the perfect blend of classy resorts and calm waters on the West ...

Anyone who has visited the Caribbean will be well aware of the subject matter of today's travel photo. I'm a bird lover, and regularly feed the birds in my own garden at home. When travelling, I love seeing new species of birds, and feeding them if I can. Over the years on my holidays in the Caribbean, I have come to love the Bananaquit - a lively little bird with a white stripe above the eye, and bright yellow belly. You may have to look closely in the photo above to find the little one pictured here, but if you're enjoying breakfast outdoors and have any sort of syrup or sugar on your table, these cheeky little guys will definitely pay you a visit!

Before I went to Trinidad, I have to admit I didn't know much about the island apart from the fact that it has been troubled by drug and gang-related violence. My own experience of this beautiful place couldn't be more different. If you're into nature, then Trinidad is home to some of the most diverse and spectacular bird life in the Caribbean.  Not only that, but it has more than 450 bird species, 108 types of mammals, 55 reptiles, 25 amphibians and 620 types of butterflies. I read somewhere that it's South America in a Caribbean island - I couldn't have put it better myself! If you would like to see my original post on Trinidad, click  here.

Parlatuvier is a beautiful part of Tobago, about 50 minutes drive from the islands capital, Scarborough. As you drive along the coast, coming from the neighbouring village of Castara the views are simply spectacular. Once you're down in Parlatuvier, you'll find the beach is sheltered, and the sea is calm - the perfect place to take a dip and cool down! The village itself is tiny - just a cluster of little shops and houses, and a school, but it's well worth visiting for the view as you approach Parlatuvier, and for the lovely sandy beach.

After a long spell of working without travelling, I'm delighted to say.....my summer has finally begun! I'm starting my travels in one of my favourite parts of the world - the Caribbean. Just waking up to the blue sky and the birdsong everyday is perfection and the greatest way to get my summer off to a good start. While recharging the batteries is important, I'm also going to be discovering new places to feature on my blog, and not only that, but I'll be taking my photography seriously, so I have plenty of great shots to show you in the months to come.  Life is short, and it should always be about trying to enjoy every moment. So even if you aren't lucky enough to be able to afford to travel - get out and about and make the most of where you live. No matter where you are in the world, do what one smart journalist once said - "Don't exist. Live. Get out, explore. Thrive." Happy summer everyone.

Regular visitors to my blog will know that one of my favourite places in the world is Barbados. Some may fine it quite commercialised in comparison to the other Caribbean islands, but when you know where to go, you can still find deserted beaches and enjoy top end restaurants at the same time. If you're looking for a boutique hotel, one of my top tips of would be Lone Star on the West Coast - a restaurant which has rooms that James Bond would be quite happy to stay in! Click on the link to flashback to  Boutique Barbados .

Have you ever come across a photo that makes you go "WOW"? I did just that when I saw the incredible views from the Ladera Resort, St Lucia.  If you're looking for a place to relax, then you want extraordinary views - and the views of the Piton Mountains (two volcanic plugs, and the most photographed landmark on the island) are quite simply extraordinary!  The view of Ladera resort itself is also amazing. As it's the only one to be located on the UNESCO World Heritage Site, it has been built very sympathetically, to blend in with the lush forest that surrounds it. Each bedroom is built with only three walls, which mean you can enjoy the view at any time of day; whether it be waking up at sunrise, or enjoying the spectacular sunsets. There is always a lovely cool breeze blowing into the room, and while the hotel offers guests ear plugs, who wouldn't want to fall asleep to the sound of tree frogs and crickets? Book me a room now! If...

Today's Travel Photo Friday is a little sad. The tale goes like this....in the parish of St Phillip on the Caribbean island of Barbados was a beautiful Georgian mansion. It was built in 1820 by a notorious buccaneer Samuel Hall Lord, known as 'Sam Lord'. Legend has it that Sam Lord acquired his wealth by plundering ships, which he lured onto the reefs off the coast, by hanging lanterns in the palm trees. Captains mistook these lights for the island's capital, Bridgetown, and wrecked their ships on the reefs.  For years, the property was run as a stunning hotel, but it was sadly consumed by fire in 2010, and remains closed to this day. It's incredibly spooky to wander round the ruins, seeing the effects the sea air has had on the building, and think of the good times people had holidaying at the hotel.  Top tip: The beach by the hotel is secluded and stunning, so if you find yourself in this area of Barbados - have a wander round, and pop down to the bea...

Looking at today's photo, with the rugged coastline and rolling waves, you would be forgiven for thinking the picture was taken in Scotland. However the blue skies probably tell you that's not the case! The photo is in fact taken in St. Andrew - one of eleven parishes of Barbados.  The parish is named after the patron saint, Saint Andrew, and during the colonial years under Britain, the British thought the area resembled the hills and fields of Scotland. This led to parts of the parish being nicknamed the "Scotland District". It really is a beautiful part of the island and, being a proud Scot, I love to visit every time I go to the island!  If you have a photo you'd like to see featured here, please get in touch via my contact page.

As regular readers will notice, I have featured the Caribbean island of Tobago on my blog before. I've told you about rustic places in the past, but today it's all about a small, exclusive hotel. The Bacolet Beach Club is situated at the Southern tip of Tobago, just 15 miles from the airport. The hotel was developed by former fashion model Gloria Jones-Knapp, and is designed to be both restful, and luxurious. It is located on a hill side, and has just twenty rooms - each with private balconies and spectacular views overlooking the sea. This little haven is modern in design, but what I liked about it was that it still has that Caribbean feel about it - some resorts can try too hard and lose a bit of their character. That is certainly not the case here! The hotel's infinity pool overlooks the half moon bay, and is a lovely spot for socialising. You can enjoy drinks and lunch around here, or at the hotel's beach bar. It has to be said that t...

After my post on Tuesday about having the holiday blues, today's photo is all about anticipation. It was taken as I was flying into Barbados on my recent trip there. I'm not sure if you agree, but I love the window seat, and am always ready with my camera to try and snap the first sight of the place I'm travelling to. With it being an island, it's trickier to catch Barbados, but this was the first sight of the coastline, with a pretty sky above!  If you have a photo you'd like to share, please get in touch via the contact details on my contact page - I'd love to see your travel shots! 

I love today's photo, and the story behind it is even better. Steve Wooler has the tale... Each year, an organisation on Trinidad brings over parties of under-privileged kids to Tobago, from the poorer parts of Port of Spain and possibly other parts of Trinidad. They enjoy a week or so camping on the playing fields outside Les Coteaux (a short distance from the old Arnos Vale Waterwheel) and during the week they are taken out to enjoy various activities. One of their regular events is a day out on Castara's main beach - and this photo shows the kids enjoying various activities on the beach. Great photo Steve, thanks so much for your contribution. If you want to know more about Tobago, then I can highly recommend Steve's website -  www.myTobago.info , it's a great source of information for anyone visiting the island. If you have a travel photo you'd like me to feature, please get in touch through the email address on my contact page. Thanks in advance.

Sometimes the best meals aren't necessarily enjoyed at the swankiest restaurants or most exclusive places. In Tobago, I had a fabulous lunch that was simple but just perfect at the beach bar of the Blue Haven Hotel.  The hotel overlooks Bacolet Bay, on the Atlantic coast of the island, and is said to be the site where Robinson Crusoe was stranded in 1659.  In the middle of the bay is the small beach bar, and I enjoyed a delicious fruit punch while enjoying the views when I arrived at the beach. It was fantastic to see the barman had also poured a fruit punch for the birds to enjoy - great to watch all different coloured birds fluttering around while I enjoyed my drink. I had a few hours on the beach sunbathing, snorkelling and swimming before going back up for lunch. The menu is full of simple but delicious treats such as lovely salads and sandwiches. I opted for the club sandwich, and it is one of the best I have ever tasted. The side salad had a beautifu...

You may know Hotel Chocolat as the makers of yummy cocoa products, but did you know they also have an actual hotel on the Caribbean island of St Lucia? Boucan by Hotel Chocolat is fittingly situated on a site where much of the chocolate that is exported is cultivated and produced. There are six cottage-style rooms (which they call Cocoa pods), which are set around a beautiful terrace and water feature. Another eight luxury rooms (called Cocoa Pods luxe) are set higher on a hill with their own verandas. Rooms have four poster beds, and semi-outdoor rain showers, and they also provide an iPod with a selection of playlists. The rooms have window shutters, but are open to the outside and the nightlife can get noisy. It has to be said though I'm not talking about clubs and bars - but instead tree frogs, birds and crickets! The hotel does provide ear plugs, but I love nothing more than the noise of the Caribbean sending me to sleep! The restaurant has fast beco...

Antigua is a beautiful Caribbean island famed for having 365 beaches - yes, that's right - one for each day of the year! The Trade Winds Hotel is one of the island's best kept secrets, and despite being set in lush deep gardens, it's still close to the beach. In fact the hotel have a complimentary beach shuttle service which is available on request. As with many hotels in the Caribbean, the bedrooms are not filled with mod cons, but Trade Winds doesn't pretend to provide the ultimate in hotel luxury. Having said that the rooms have recently been refurbished, with tropical styling, and great beds. The hotel restaurant, The Bay House, is one of the best on the island, and is renowned for its superb  service, and delicious local and international cuisine. If you have't tried Caribbean food it's a must - so tasty!  So what is there to do on the island if you want to get out and about? It's well worth taking a boat trip to Barbuda, and you ca...

Some years ago, I went to an island resort called Petit St. Vincent, a stunning private resort in the Caribbean.  I visited while on a trip with the Scaramouche (if you missed that post, click  here ) and feel I'm due a return trip! When I heard it had undergone a multimillion-dollar facelift, I knew I had to check in with them and see what's new. It turns out a lot has changed on the 115-acre private island, but it has maintained the crucial chill out factor it always had.   Mike Toy Photography Petit St. Vincent calls itself a private island for private people, and with only 22 cottages, it does always feel like you have your own little piece of paradise. You can find your own spot of beach or reef to snorkel on, but you can also find seclusion in your beautiful cottage. With it being a private island, f ood is all inclusive,  and while that's not always a good thing it's perfect on PSV.   Mike Toy Photography If you're looking for gadgets and...

I have never been a binocular carrying; bird watching type, but when you visit the Caribbean on a regular basis you can't help but become interested in the stunning colourful birds that are constantly flying around. I recently came across the perfect place for bird watchers and novices alike to watch birds at close hand on the stunning island of Tobago.  We read about Adventure Farm and Nature Reserve on a superb website called  My Tobago  - a fantastic resource if you're thinking of going to the island. Although we'd read a report on a forum, we didn't really know what to expect, but it was one of the highlights of our stay. The twelve acre estate is on the Arnos Vale Road, and is owned by Ean MacKay.  The photo above shows just how lush the entrance to the estate is, and once you've parked up, it gets even better! When we went, there was no one around....just a little note telling us to make a small payment in a tiny wooden box; to take a couple of...