Barbados’ capital, Bridgetown, is curled around the sparkling white-sand beaches of Carlisle Bay. In the city centre, you’ll find the country’s handsome Houses of Parliament.

Often mistaken for a church, on account of the belltower, the parliament buildings overlook a sheltered marina, known as the Careenage, where boats were once repaired. The city takes its name from an Amerindian bridge spanning this inlet, though modern Bridgetown wasn’t established until the English colonisers put down roots in 1628. Over the centuries, a succession of hurricanes and fires has ensured that very little built before the mid-nineteenth century has survived.

A five minute-walk northwards from Parliament takes you to the beautifully restored Synagogue Historic District, where you can find the Nidhe Israel Museum and Synagogue, part of the Historic Bridgetown and Garrison area, which is a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site.