Barbados or 'Los Barbadoes' means 'the bearded ones', so named by Portuguese sailors who noticed all the bearded fig trees on the island. The fig is thought be a gift of the goddess Demeter, whom the Greeks believed was responsible for nourishing youth, bringing the seasons, and the preserver of marriage (no wonder Barbados is the perfect place to get married!).   This is why the fig tree is often regarded as the Tree of Life and thus why Barbados was often thought to contain the Fountain of Youth. Barbados offers myriad ways to relieve stress and reveal your natural beauty... 1. Start with the sand! Who says you have to pay beaucoup bucks for an all-over Body Scrub? Barbados' many beaches have wonderful sand in myriad textures to exfoliate you till you're bright & shiny and feel brand new. After you've given yourself (or each other!) a good scrub, slip into the salty sea. The healing properties of salt water are many: the pulsating Atlantic waves will invigorate your system while the tranquil turquoise Caribbean will melt away stress.   2. The Health Coast – Bathsheba beach and environs on the Atlantic side has been measured to have the cleanest air in the world . Unique rock formations from an ancient coral reef make for a protected cove—catch it at low tide when mineral pools form and you can slip in and unwind for hours. Breathe!     3. The Dancing Fingers massage at Suga Suga Spa is a singular experience that brings new dimensions to the word "relax." Mullins, St. Peter.     4. Welchman Hall Gully, a primordial ravine with towering nutmeg, clove, and palm trees, imparts a preternatural sense of calm and ease. A walk through this shady tropical paradise replete with rustling bamboo, stalactites & stalagmites, a mélange of unusual fruit, and the island's infamous green monkeys, awakens a deep inner energy and sense of well-being. Exhilarating!     5. When you're spending most of your time barefoot, or in sandals, it's a good idea to hot foot it to the local's favourite spot for the best manicure & pedicure in town: Lady C's in Christ Church. (246) 436-3464     6. Hiking is one of the best ways to get—and stay—in shape. Which may be one reason why the Sunday morning hikes by the Barbados National Trust are so popular: Starting at 6 a.m., an islander sets off with groups no larger than 10 (divvied up for slow, intermediate, and fast hikers) on a 3-hour trek to explore exotic locales on the island. Invigorating for mind, body, and spirit (especially when the moon is still visible).     7. A trip up near the top tip of Barbados is a treasure in itself. In the parish of St. Lucy where the cliffs are rugged and the surf is powerful, is a unique spot called Little Bay, a hidden haven with outstanding scenery and a sweet little "swimming pool" carved out of the rock.     8. The hypnotic rhythm of lapping waves on the shore makes the oceanside massage at Almond Beach Village resort an otherworldly experience.       9. Nature provides nurture with a leisurely walk through Graeme Hall Nature Sanctuary. A boardwalk walk leads you through the unique beauty of the red and white mangroves teeming with wildlife.   Spirit-soothing and serene.     10. Ahhh, the piece de resistance : the ultra-luxe spa at the Sandy Lane Resort, complete with colonnade, waterfalls and ice cave! Retreat to your own private treatment suite, with private garden , to enjoy Romantic Bliss, a 90-minute His & Hers massage that is bound to be unforgettable.