Start planning your Out-of-Office email because a vacation to Barbados is on the horizon!

And what better place to unwind from the day to day stresses of work than the birthplace of rum. Choose your own experience when you visit the historic Mount Gay Rum distillery, in the parish of St. Lucy, which still has its original landscape and buildings from 1703. Drink in the sights and sounds of the molasses house, fermentation house, and bonds as you learn about the history of the oldest, continuously running rum distillery in the world. Get a chance to taste rums available nowhere else in the world, craft your own cocktail and enjoy lunch and pick a few souvenirs from the Mount Gay Visitor centre.

A few miles away in the parish of St. Peter, the St. Nicholas Abbey Greathouse has its own unique rum tour as well. The Abbey was built in 1658 and is one of just three Jacobean style mansions remaining in the Western Hemisphere. The tour includes walking the halls and grounds of the expansive Greathouse, taking a ride on the Heritage Railway to the breathtaking view of the East Coast on Cherry Tree Hill, having a personal guided tour of the centuries-old distillery, factory and steam mill and, of course, tasting their fine selection of rums.

Cool off and wash away your worries at any of the fine public beaches that surround the island. Go for a dip, try water skiing or just lounge and let the day pass-catching up on any reading with a cocktail in hand. One of the best places to do this is at the La Cabane beach bar in the parish of St. James. This rustic setting was built with ultimate relaxation in mind, with a menu chocked with organic local options and an expansive list of the finest wines and spirits to enjoy while you enjoy a sweet Bajan sunset.

Dinner options are aplenty at night. Especially at Champers Restaurant located in Christ Church. This open-air restaurant sits directly opposite a magical few of the sea, making it a favourite of locals and tourists alike. Choose from delicious options like Confit Duck Leg and Oven Roasted Barracuda which make up their delectable menu. Pair it with one of the Mount Gay rums you will fall in love with, to make it a perfect end to a work-free day.