Dannii Minogue has been letting her hair down, showing off her fabulous bikini body and searching for models on the Caribbean island of Barbados while filming for Britain and Ireland's Next Top Model.The former X Factor judge, who has reportedly just signed up with Australia's X Factor, is the latest in a long list of celebrities to enjoy the sun, shores and fabulous vistas of the tropical island's beautiful beaches. X Factor's judge Simon Cowell, the Beckhams, Mariah Carey and island local Rihanna are just some of the big names who regularly holiday here.Dannii, 41, took to Twitter to share enviable pictures of her combining work and play, showing off her modelling know-how with a sensual shot under a waterfall in a red and white bikini with a comment: ‘#bintm filming. just add Barbados sunset & waterfall'. The Australian beauty also made fans jealous by posting pics of the Caribbean shores with the caption 'My view today'.
The idyllic Caribbean island, with pristine, white sandy beaches and clear blue waters, draws on its English, African and West Indian roots and offers everything from relaxation, fly-fishing and, of course, some of the world's best rum. Promising sunshine practically all year round and playing host to celebrities throughout, it's no wonder that the island has become synonymous with luxury. It's home to its very own seven-star hotel Sandy Lane resort, where Dannii stayed during her stay and a regular destination for music mogul Simon Cowell when on his annual holiday to the paradise spot.
Situated on the western coast of the island, known as the Platinum Coast, the Sandy Lane resort sits on 1,000 feet of white, coral-sand beach beside the warm, sparkling waters of the Caribbean Sea. Set in an ancient mahogany grove, the high end resort boasts 112 luxury rooms and suites and one exquisite five-bedroom villa with its own secluded grounds and butler service. When you have been suitably pampered in the luxury hotel's fabulous 47,000-square-foot spa, had a treatment and rested in the sauna and unwound on your room’s private veranda, head to one of the island's celebrity hotspots The Cliff for a wonderful evening of fine dining. Savour the flavours of dishes such as spicy tuna tartare, thai red curry mussels and snails in puff pastry while taking in the breathtaking sea vistas from one of the restaurant's cliff-top tables.
While away a few hours in the afternoon with fly-fishing, enjoy a rum punch or if you’re feeling adventurous, visit one of Barbados' greatest wonders, Harrison's Cave – a breathtakingly beautiful, crystallised limestone cavern with flowing streams and deep pools of crystal clear water.Gaze in wonder at the white flow stones and in awe at the beauty of natural geography – your lessons on stalactites and stalagmites will more than likely come back.
Go on an underwater adventure to see tropical fish and turtles, stingrays, mantarays, barracudas and incredible barrier reefs and coral formations. The calm, crystal clear waters are perfect for snorkeling, with visibility between 40 to 70 feet for most of the year. Diving is fantastic here too, with a range of wreck and reef dive sites that are perfect habitats for marine life.
