lavish, luscious or laid back

Best for: Self-catering families, A-list glamour, surfing, cricket.

Why here? It boasts British-style bobbies and red post boxes and is one of the Caribbean’s most placid islands.

It’s not bland, though, even if the waters of the Platinum Coast on the west barely cause a ripple. Villages such as Bathsheba have strong surfer appeal.

Bargain style: On pretty Maxwell Beach in the south, Bougainvillea has all the frills: two pools, bars and a beachside restaurant, and 100 rooms with kitchenettes.

Seven nights cost from £989 per person, including flights, transfers and self-catering accommodation with Virgin Holidays (virginholidays. co.uk).

Blow the budget: With celebrities at every turn, Sandy Lane is the beating heart of the Platinum

Coast. Seven nights’ B&B costs from £3 840 per person, including flights and transfers with Elegant Resorts (elegantresorts.co.uk).

Don’t miss: Cricket fans must visit the Kensington Oval in January; England will play a Test match against the West Indies here.

Eat: Alive with music and street food, the town of Oistins holds a

Fish Fry every Friday and Saturday. The Lone Star on the beach attracts a solid Hollywood crowd and expect to pay £30 for main dishes.

Dover Beach in Barbados.