You will discover the history of how Barbados rum is made and also a taster, the best part of the tour!

You have the choice of three places to visit in Barbados - one being Foursquare Rum Factory and Heritage Park (St. Philip), the Malibu Visitor Center (St. Michael) or the Mount Gay Rum Tour and Gift Shop (St. Michael).

Foursquare Rum Factory is one of the oldest rum distilleries and is set in 8 acres of beautifully landscaped park in St. Phillip which is the heart of sugar cane country in Barbados and breathtaking to see on your way. This park is about a 10 minute drive from Oistins but you will need a car or a taxi as the park is not on a bus route. This Rum tour has been personally experienced by Sunshades Barbados and is set in a perfect surrounding.

The tour takes you through the rum factory with pictures detailing the rum process showing the history of how they used to process it to the pictures of how they do it today.

There is a children's play area too and a pet area being created as well as a large art and craft centre, a gift shop and a restaurant selling light snacks and refreshments. There is also an amphitheatre which hosts events at various times of the year.

The Malibu Centre located at Black Rock in St Michael is a perfect place to spend a day, you can relax on the perfect idyllic white sandy beach and calm waters whilst taking a tour of the famous coconut flavoured rum drink distillery. The distillery has been going strong since 1897 and has a lot of old equipment including a century old copper pot still. Your tour can include lunch if you wish. Tours are run daily Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm and the tour only costs $20BDS with children under 11 go free. If you wish to spend the day have lunch and take the tour which also includes transportation cost for adults is $65BDS and children $32.50 BDS. Although Sunshades Barbados has not experienced the tour, we have certainly spent many hours on this beach ...... this is a picturesque setting just like the ones you see on the postcards.

Mount Gay Rum Tour Here you can discover the history of the famous Mount Gay Rum, one of the world's finest rums and how it is made. The tours share some secrets of their making and give you the chance to taste the rum for free. The Visitors Centre is on Spring Garden Highway in Bridgetown and has a wonderful souvenir shop to take your memories home as well as Verandah restaurant overlooking the sea where you can sample local Bajan cuisine. A regular tour lasting 45 minutes run from 9am to 3.45pm Monday to Fridays and costs adults $12 BDS. They also offer special luncheon tours as well. This tour is certainly a high recommendation by Sunshades Barbados to experience and taste the many cocktails in the bar afterwards .... what a way to spend some relaxation time.

Sunshades Barbados - who is Sunshades Barbados I keep hearing you asking. We have an apartment or holiday home called Sunshades Barbados in the village of Fitts Village in the parish of St James on the west coast. A perfect place to stay when on holiday in Barbados. Sunshades Barbados is a one bedroom self catering fully equipped and air conditioned home and only a two minute walk to the beach. Shops and other local amenities close by this gives you a great alternative to see the real Barbados and meet the locals, experience the fun of the Island. Oh and by the way, check out our special offer of 7 nights stay for only £99 (although you will have to find your flight). For more information visit www.sunshadesbarbados.co.uk.

We hope you have found this information useful, please let us know how you got on or what else you would like to hear about.