Your list of things to do in Barbados must include an exploration of Barbados’ rich, rum heritage. Discover the story behind the island’s finest and most celebrated spirit.

Barbados is considered the birthplace of rum, and Mount Gay distillery - founded in 1703 - is believed to produce the oldest rum found anywhere in the world. One of the most popular things to do in Barbados, other than enjoy a glass of rum punch under the clear blue skies, is to take one of the famous rum distillery tours. When you begin a Barbados rum tour you start a journey which takes you 350 years back in time, before exploring the ancient secrets of rum production.

Your Barbados run tour starts with a peep behind the scenes of the different distilleries, each one of which uses its own combination of traditional and innovative methods to produce a unique rum. There are tours at the Mount Gay Rum Distillery, St. Nicholas Abbey, Foursquare Rum Factory and West Indies Rum Distillery, and each one has its own distinct secrets to share.

Having seen behind the scenes of the distillery, try visiting some of Barbados rum shops. These are places which offer a glimpse of Caribbean history and culture as well as the chance to sample the wide range of rum available.

www.mountgayrum.com

www.stnicholasabbey.com