Travelers stories

Barbados is a land of pristine sandy beaches stretching lazily under the rays of the tropical sun. Although there are several fun and entertaining activities available on the island, there are five that top the list.

1. The main attractions of the island are the beaches that liberally adorn its coastline. A trip to the beach is a must for every visitor to Barbados. Statistically, the beaches account for a staggering 70 miles of the coastline. The beaches of Barbados are grouped according to locations: north, south, east and west coast. Barbados offer travellers a beach for every kind of activity one could wish to indulge in; for those seeking to relax under the Caribbean rays where the waves are gentle, the West coast beaches are the best choice. As a general rule of thumb the beaches on the west coast are best for families with small children, and as one moves further to the north or south beaches, travellers are sure to find water sports and fun activities in abundance.

2. The second fun activity in Barbados is the underwater tours that the island offers. The flora and fauna beneath the surface of the ocean defy belief with their shapes and colour. Some exotic species that can be seen include the green turtles and parrot fish. Also, there are coral reefs to marvel at, and relics of old ships resting on the bed of the ocean. Wrecks are best seen in Carlisle Bay, and diving in the S. S. Stavronikita is sure to be an unforgettable experience for divers. For non-divers, there are submersible tours to take one through the mysterious depths.

3. Barbados’ rich culture manifests itself in festivals that take place regularly on the island. In January, the Barbados Jazz Festival attracts many visitors and showcases the local talent as well as different genres of Caribbean, African and Cuban music. This festival allows visitors to get a flavour of the land and its heritage and many people often organise their trips to Barbados to coincide with this festival.

4. Another interesting experience is the Taste of Barbados Food Festival. This vibrant celebration embodies the potent flavours of the local cuisine and reflects the traditions of the island. This gives guests at the festival, a feast for their taste buds as they get to sample traditional dishes and enjoy the cuisine of the island all under one roof.

5. There are two caves that must be visited by all adventure lovers in Barbados; namely, Animal Flower Cave and Harrison’s Cave. The first is situated along the cliffs, near the northern edge of the island. It is a study in natural history and geology and has a great deal of local folklore associated with it as well. The cave’s appellation is derived from its numerous sea anemones, locally known as animal flowers. Harrison’s Cave is only accessible using specially designed transport and has majestic stalagmites and stalactites in its caverns. For some real life pictures of Barbados you must visit the Barbados Photo Blog.

By:  Orson Johnson writes for Holiday Velvet, a website providing Barbados holiday rentals and Holiday and Vacation Rentals.

For more information on the Caribbean island of Barbados, I would  recommend visiting The Barbados Blog where you will come across what life is really life on the Island, Facts About Paradise Island Barbados.

Bookmark It

Hide Sites

Ever since I tasted  my first  wee glass of Mount Gay Rum, especially the Sugar Cane Brandy version, I have been hooked. It must be one of the most delicious alcoholic spirits that I have ever tasted.

Prior to my first trip to Barbados in 2005 I couldn’t even  stand the taste of rum and my favourite tipple was Single Malt Scottish Whisky.

Mount Gay Rum is seemingly the oldest rum maker, not only in Barbados but also in the world. There is actual surviving written documentation dated 20th of February 1703 that proves that rum was being produced on the Mount Gay estate from at least this period in time. I haven’t had the opportunity to enjoy the tour yet, but I will in the near future.

Being a Scottish born and bred loon and having lived in Scotland for most of my life so far, my favourite alcoholic spirit was of course Scottish whisky. Not any old Scottish whisky, I must admit I didn’t care too much for blended whisky. My whisky of choice would have been a good bottle of Single Malt such as Macallan 10 year old, Glenmorangie 10 year old or Dalwhinnie 15 year old. Each of those whiskies’s taste real smooth and I would periodically enjoy a wee glass or two of Scotland’s finest firewater.

When I was living in Scotland I suppose there wasn’t really a great choice of rums to choose from, I had tasted rums such as Morgans Spiced Rum, Captains Morgan and Havana Club all of which I didn’t really rate that highly. There was no way I would have ever had a glass of one of those feeble rums, instead of one of my favourite whiskies.

My viewpoint on rum changed forever when I visited Barbados for the first time during the summer of 2005. As usual when I go on holiday I try to immerse myself into the local culture of the country I’m visiting, I will taste as many local foods and drinks as I can. I can even remember the first time I tasted Mount Gay Rum. I had been taken out for drive up to St Lucy, by soon to become family members and was in a local rum shop, when I had my first glass of Mount Gay rum mixed with Sprite. I must admit I only accepted the drink out of politeness and I wasn’t expecting it to taste too good.

I was wrong, my first glass of Mount Gay rum totally changed my perception of rum, it was unbelievable sweet and smooth. I couldn’t believe I had never before tasted this rum, I thought it was one of the most delicious beverages known to mankind. The 4 of us soon polished off the first bottle of rum and another one was swiftly purchased. The best thing of all for me was that I woke up the next morning without a headache, which was a miracle considering how much rum I had consumed. I tell you I will never drink more than 3 or 4 nips of whisky in the same evening, because I know I will wake up the next day with a real bad headache.

I find it amazing that Mount Gay Rum is made from only, sugar canes and coral filtered water; the ingredients are of course then blended and aged to create an amazingly delicious beverage.

I have sampled Mount Gay Rum with sprite, coke and even Suplegen, and the other night I drank it with some fizzy lemon and limejuice. What can I say, apart from that Mount Gay rum tastes unbelievable good no matter what I drink it with. I’m just wondering how good it would taste if I poured some into a coconut and mixed it with the water that is something for me to try out sometime.

I have found since I moved to Barbados that a wee glass of rum and something is a great way to end another day in paradise, it sure helps to send me to sleep. The best thing of all is that a bottle of Mount Gay Rum, Sugar Cane Brandy only costs about $21, it would cost me around 3 or 4 times that to buy a bottle of one of my favourite whiskies back home in Scotland.

The above article was originally published on The Barbados Blog, which is probably the best and most informative blog relating to the Caribbean Island of Barbados, Barbados A Caribbean Island Paradise.

Bookmark It

Hide Sites

When flying to Barbados or anywhere for that matter, it is always a good idea of have a game plan in operation. It really doesn’t take a lot of time and effort to organise your flight to make things a hell of lot easier for yourself.

The Booking:

When you book your flight it is always advisable to make sure you book it well in advance. This after all is common sense. It doesn’t really matter who you are booking your flight with or which airline you are using to fly to Barbados, the further you book your flight in advance the more money you will save.

By booking well in advance you will not only save money but you will be guaranteed the travel dates which you want, as we all know airline seats are booked on a first come first served basis.

There are only a few airlines that actually fly to Barbados, so it is a simple enough procedure to compare prices, how long they actually take to get here and the size of there seats. All these factors come into my equation when flying; I personally like to get to my destination as quickly as possible and with as much legroom as possible. When I fly to and from Barbados, for me personally the extra cost of flying in premium economy is definitely worth it.

Luggage:

Carefully consider how much luggage your airline will allow you to carry; I know from personal experience how strict they are nowadays. When I flew to Barbados in June, they wouldn’t even let me take an extra 1 kg without charging me and I was flying in premium economy. Airlines are getting stricter all the time, and they will charge you a hefty fee if you’re luggage is over weight. It doesn’t take a lot of effort to weigh them before you head to the airport.

I would advice anybody flying to Barbados, (if the airline you are using of course does it) is to book your luggage in the night before. It is a much less stressful way to start your holiday. It is worth the extra expense of booking a hotel room and as we all know there are some cheap hotels situated close to most major airports.

The Flight:

Wear loose fitting and lightweight clothes, and take a light jumper because it can sometimes get a wee bit cool on the flight. Why not get some flight slippers to wear; after all you’re on the flight for at least 7 hours. I would also recommend purchasing a neck cushion; they are worth the few dollars that they cost. I normally take every free newspaper and magazine that are given away free before I board the plan and also bring some comfort snacks with me, they all help to pass the time.

Don’t just sit on your seat for the full flight journey; our bodies are not designed to sit on an airline seat without moving for hour upon hour. Get up and periodically go for a walk, if people around you don’t like it, tough luck on them, it’s your health that counts.

Arrival In Barbados:

Upon arrival in Barbados make sure you have filled out your customs clearance form. Fortunately it doesn’t take very long to clear customs and receive your luggage at Grantley Adams International airport. What I love about arriving in Barbados, is that you don’t have to walk miles to clear customs and then get your luggage, it’s a breeze compared to places like Heathrow, Gatwick, JFK, Miami etc

Also I would recommend that you get one of the luggage guys to carry you bags for you on their trolley to your transportation. It is worth it the few dollars that it costs. I normally give them BDS$10 which saves my back and arms.

My motto when flying is to make everything as easy as possible for my family and myself. As you can see it really doesn’t really take very much planning to make things easier and more comfortable for yourself.

For those of you thinking about visiting the Caribbean Island of Barbados you can get  an idea of what life is really like there by visiting The Barbados Blog and Barbados Photo Blog.

Bookmark It

Hide Sites

I have been asked the question “where is Barbados”, quite a few times from people that have read The Barbados Blog and have been intrigued by life in Barbados and what the island has to offer. So for the benefit of all those that are not too sure where Barbados is situated in the world, let me educate you and show you where it is.

Barbados is a fairly small island situated in the Caribbean region of the world. The island is actually located in the Atlantic Ocean to the east of the other Caribbean islands. The exact location of Barbados is 13 ͦ North of the equator and 59 ͦ West of the prime meridian; the Island lies in the Southern Caribbean region.

The closet neighbours to Barbados are Saint Vincent & the Grenadines and Saint Lucia to the west and Trinidad & Tobago to the south. Barbados is also fairly close to the continent of South America and is only 270 miles (432 km) northeast of Venezuela. Barbados is 1599 miles (2573 km) northwest of Miami.

There we have it, my personal directions to the beautiful Caribbean Island of Barbados.

This article was  written by the Wandering Scotsman, who can be found at the Barbados Blog and Barbados Photo Blog.

Bookmark It

Hide Sites

Situated to the east of the Lesser Antilles in the Caribbean, Barbados is an independent island nation and a tropical getaway with considerable historical sites to boot. With a long British history and settlements dating as early as 300 CE, Barbados offers travelers a tantalizing resort rendezvous and a taste of colonial and slave legacy. Book your airfare to Barbados before the high season ends and enjoy the tranquility of one of the most remote islands in the Caribbean.

Major airlines service the island’s fairly large international airport from most regions including Canada, Mexico, Europe, and the United States. If you choose to island hop through the West Indies, airfare to Barbados is easily accessible from Trinidad and Tobago to the south, Saint Lucia and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines to the west, and Grenada to the southwest.

Travel to Barbados for the Sweet Life

After cotton crops failed on Barbados, the British introduced sugar cane to the island, which grew very well and also led to the development of rum drinks and molasses production. The plantation economy allegedly gave birth to the first appearance of the spiced island drink and visitors today can take a tour of the Mount Gay Rum factory, which is Barbados’ domestic rum producer.

Barbados is not all sugar and spice; the island is also a haven of white sandy beaches, surfing, fine dining and deep sea fishing. On the southern shore of Barbados you will find privately owned vacation rentals and time shares as well as the middle and lower range accommodations along the water, broken up by small seaside towns like Hastings, Maxwell, Rockley and Oistins. In the capital of Bridgetown, you will find duty free shopping, delectable restaurants and a mix of colonial and modern government buildings. Bridgetown is also the hub for docking cruise ships and mooring private boats. Travel to Oistins on a Friday night for the famous ‘fish fry.’ Dance, drink and eat with the locals until the wee hours of the morning.

Beyond the Beach of Barbados

Barbados has many activities for the active and adventurous if relaxing by the beach is just not enough. Get in with the iguanas at the extensive Barbados Wildlife Reserve and enjoy a pleasant walk through the exotic bird sanctuary or along the many footpaths surrounded by forests of monkeys. Harrison’s Cave, in St. Thomas province, is a very popular subterranean attraction and likely to be a bit crowded during the high season. If you’re still not tired, take a trip to Welchman Hall Gully where stretches of walking path are surrounded by think wooded forest and hundreds of wild exotic species.

Remember that Barbados was a long time British colony and therefore English speakers will have no problem communicating. Additionally, the island nation has one of the highest rates of literacy in the Western Hemisphere, making this tropical tryst hardly third world. Travel to any destination on the island is cheap and efficient by taxi or bus. The equator awaits, what are you waiting for?

This article was written by Elyse Morgan

About the Author:

For More Article Visit :: http://www.thearticleinsiders.com/

If you are interested in finding out what life is really life on the Caribbean Island of Barbados follow the adventures of the Wandering Scotsman at The Barbados Blog and Barbados Photo Blog.

Bookmark It

Hide Sites

Situated to the east of the Lesser Antilles in the Caribbean, Barbados is an independent island nation and a tropical getaway with considerable historical sites to boot. With a long British history and settlements dating as early as 300 CE, Barbados offers travelers a tantalizing resort rendezvous and a taste of colonial and slave legacy. Book your airfare to Barbados before the high season ends and enjoy the tranquility of one of the most remote islands in the Caribbean.

Major airlines service the island’s fairly large international airport from most regions including Canada, Mexico, Europe, and the United States. If you choose to island hop through the West Indies, airfare to Barbados is easily accessible from Trinidad and Tobago to the south, Saint Lucia and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines to the west, and Grenada to the southwest.

Travel to Barbados for the Sweet Life

After cotton crops failed on Barbados, the British introduced sugar cane to the island, which grew very well and also led to the development of rum drinks and molasses production. The plantation economy allegedly gave birth to the first appearance of the spiced island drink and visitors today can take a tour of the Mount Gay Rum factory, which is Barbados’ domestic rum producer.

Barbados is not all sugar and spice; the island is also a haven of white sandy beaches, surfing, fine dining and deep sea fishing. On the southern shore of Barbados you will find privately owned vacation rentals and time shares as well as the middle and lower range accommodations along the water, broken up by small seaside towns like Hastings, Maxwell, Rockley and Oistins. In the capital of Bridgetown, you will find duty free shopping, delectable restaurants and a mix of colonial and modern government buildings. Bridgetown is also the hub for docking cruise ships and mooring private boats. Travel to Oistins on a Friday night for the famous ‘fish fry.’ Dance, drink and eat with the locals until the wee hours of the morning.

Beyond the Beach of Barbados

Barbados has many activities for the active and adventurous if relaxing by the beach is just not enough. Get in with the iguanas at the extensive Barbados Wildlife Reserve and enjoy a pleasant walk through the exotic bird sanctuary or along the many footpaths surrounded by forests of monkeys. Harrison’s Cave, in St. Thomas province, is a very popular subterranean attraction and likely to be a bit crowded during the high season. If you’re still not tired, take a trip to Welchman Hall Gully where stretches of walking path are surrounded by think wooded forest and hundreds of wild exotic species.  You read about the Wandering Scotsman’s viewpoint on the Barbados Wildlife Reserve right here, Barbados Wildlife Reserve, Stopping Selling The Monkeys.

Remember that Barbados was a long time British colony and therefore English speakers will have no problem communicating. Additionally, the island nation has one of the highest rates of literacy in the Western Hemisphere, making this tropical tryst hardly third world. Travel to any destination on the island is cheap and efficient by taxi or bus. The equator awaits, what are you waiting for?

This article was written by Eysle Morgan

About the Author:

For More Article Visit :: http://www.thearticleinsiders.com/

For more great  articles about what life is really life in Barados visit, The Barbados Blog.

Bookmark It

Hide Sites

Barbados, the island that so many love has an appeal throughout the year. With the tourist season running from January to June and temperatures ranging from 24 to 29C throughout the year it really does have a lot to offer to beach lovers. During the off season it can rain heavily but the downpours tend to be swift and short. Although the Caribbean is known for hurricanes it is very rare for the island to be hit by one. For holiday-makers from the UK now is a good time to be going to Barbados because the islands currency, the Barbados dollar (BBD), is fixed to the US dollar so with exchange rates so good there is value to be had if you go; especially while the Euro is strong.

Banks and ATM’s are freely available and cash withdrawals can be made. British nationals do not require a visa for stays shorter than 6 months and travel can be made with just a valid passport.

The Barbados West coast is known as the ‘Platinum Coast’. It is this area that VIP villas have the majority of their West Coast villas Barbados really is a luxury destination and this area is a high end tourist destination.

Running north from the capital Bridgetown, are numerous luxury beach resorts nestling along the shore of the clear warm azure waters that lap gently onto golden coral sands.

Beaches Barbados is a relatively flat island with an abundant supply of large gradually sloping coral beaches fringing the land.

In the North, coral and sandstone cliffs jute straight out of the sea reaching several hundred feet in height. Cliffs of 50 to 100 feet rise and fall along the coast, separated by small coral beaches and bays.

On the flatter South West and West coasts, you can walk for miles along unbroken white sand beaches, stopping only to admire clusters of coral rocks jutting out to sea. All along the coast large and small beaches are broken by coral formations, the soft coral rocks weathered by the Caribbean surf, forming abstract monoliths punctuating the seascape.

Barbados is a coral island and its beaches are made from finely ground coral, a clean fine grain. Few beaches are not very fine sand. Generally if there is a beach on the shore, it is beautiful sand. Here are my top ten beaches that are a must for all tourists who love to enjoy paradise.

1 Bottom Bay Just north of the famed Sam Lord’s Castle, this bay is protected by large cliffs. A private, wide sandy beach lined with palms, bottom Bay has a true Robinson Crusoe feel to it. Crystal clear waters, medium waves, slight undertow, and a good picnicking spot.

2 Crane Beach Originally a harbour, Crane beach is considered by many to be one of the island’s most beautiful beaches. It was voted as one of the ten best beaches in the world by ‘Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous’. The name “Crane” was derived from the large crane situated at the top of the cliff which was used for loading and unloading ships in years gone by. Bigger waves make it good for body surfing, but in the cove to the left there is safe swimming close to shore.

3 Church Point A very special beach. Clean, not very wide and somewhat sheltered, the waters are almost always placid with no undertow and good snorkelling. This beach is in front of the stunning Heron Bay House, which is almost as beautiful to view as the pristine beach it looks upon.

4 Long Beach This is the last in the island loop, and stretches for more than a mile, a great find since it is secluded and private. The nearby long Beach Club has facilities, otherwise, this is a fairly private setting.

5 Dover Beach Lying at the Southern end of the St. Lawrence Gap ’strip’ this is a popular beach among visitors to the south coast. Medium waves and a number of facilities close by add to its appeal.

6, Cattlewash This by far the longest beach on the island. Its rough and rugged splendour make it a popular sightseeing and relaxing spot. It is several miles long and very often deserted, so care needs to be taken when swimming, as the waves and undertow currents are very strong. Ask the lifeguard on the beach for advice. It is a perfect location for nature lovers. Interestingly, this beach was christened “Cattlewash” as it was the bathing spot in days gone by for herds of cattle which were shepherded down the hills from neighbouring villages.

7 Bath One of the few truly ’safe’ swimming beaches along the entire Atlantic side. There is usually a lifeguard and there are parking, changing, picnic and eating facilities. Medium to small waves and slight undertow close to shore make this a good swimming beach. Best swimming is off to the left of the beach bar

8 Mullins Bay This is another popular hang out, a picturesque bay with a nice, placid beach almost all year round. Plenty of facilities, from parking and eating, Mullins is also a very good snorkelling area. VIP villas have numerous Villas on the beach here.

9 Folkstone beach The beach is in St. James Parish, lying one mile north of Holetown, and is the home of the Folkestone Marine Park. There are many water-related activities, along with fresh water showers and shops. There is an interpretive centre and museum with marine and coastal environment displays, exhibits of the island’s fishing industry and a salt water aquarium. The underwater park zone extends from Sandy Lane to Colony Club and you can rent snorkeling equipment around the fringe reef, or hire a boat for diving.

10 Sandy Lane Bay The beach of Sandy Lane, the island’s most opulent resort is home to Villas on the beach Barbados. This is a long, wide beach which is in pristine condition and well-maintained. There is a public access to the beach at the south end of the hotel. Since it sits in something of a bay, the beach is nicely sheltered with little wave movement most of the year and no undertow. Quite literally it can be a VIP spotting beach with many a celebrity holidaying here. So why not take a trip to and stay in a West Coast Villa Barbados has many that are the most luxurious that you are likely to find.

Generally the seas on the West coast are the calmest, but good, safe, quiet swimming is available in the many tranquil bays along the South West and the South that touch the Caribbean Sea. If you like calm waters with a soft sandy bottom, then the West Coast is probably the best of these conditions.

This article was written by Mark Craven

About the Author

Mark is a respected travel professional

For more great articles all about the Caribbean Island of Barbados visit The Barbados Blog, where you can find wonderful articles such as  Where Is Barbados, Well Let Me Educate You!

Bookmark It

Hide Sites

Barbados is a popular Caribbean nation located near Saint Vincent & Grenadines and Saint Lucia on its western side and Trinidad and Tobago on its southern side.

Barbados derives its name from the old Portuguese word for “bearded ones” however historically it is not clear as to whether this name was given because of the bearded inhabitants of the island, or because of the prominence of the bearded fig-tree on the island. Further speculation has further added to the confusion behind the origins of the name as some have gone further to suggest that the name was given due to the foam that sprayed over the outlying reefs on the island which made them resemble a beard.

Barbados was first inhabited by the Amerindians and after that by the Arawaks, then the Caribs, it was sometime after this period that the Portuguese came to inhabit the island. From the mid-1500 to the 1600’s, the Portuguese were in control of the island until they left it for other locations and by this time it was left uninhabited. The British were the next set of people to reach Barbados in the 17th century and they met no inhabitants on the island. They held control of the island until 1966. The Barbados of the 17th century is much different than the Barbados of today.

The country in the 17th century was overwhelmingly Celtic while by the 19th century it had become overwhelmingly black.

The main city and the capital of Barbados is Bridgetown. It is also the largest city in Barbados and a major destination for tourists coming to the Caribbean. It is also one of those cities in the Caribbean reputed to be a financial/offshore tax haven.

The Sir Grantley Adams International Airport (GAIA) is the only Airport which provides access to the city. It is also a tourist spot because it is one of the few sites where the supersonic Concorde which has now been retired from service is on display.

Holetown is another important historical town in Barbados, partly because it hosts a lot of firsts in the country. A number of institutions in the country were first established here.

There are plenty of things to do in Barbados and a lot of famous tourist hangouts other than just those in the main cities. Popular activities in Barbados usually have to do with water sports, boating, scuba diving and the like. Other activities could be had as well as there are various monuments and locations of historical importance which can be visited to get a better insight into the history of Barbados and the Caribbean in particular. Some locations include: * National Heroes Square * Parliament Buildings of Barbados * The Cathedral Church of Saint Michaels and All Angels * The St. Patrick’s Roman Catholic Cathedral * The Jewish Synagogue * Fountain Garden * The Pelican Village and Craft Centre * The Nelson Statue * The Barbados Museum * Kensington Oval (site of the 2007 Cricket World Cup final) * Carlisle Bay Beach * Cheapside market * The Tom Adams Financial Complex * The Frank Collymore Hall of the Performing Arts * The Cathedral Plaza * The Red Light District * The Garrison Savannah and National Historic Area

Barbados is usually warm and sunny throughout the year. The average temperature during the day is usually in the 85F range. At night you can expect the temperatures to reduce the substantially cooler levels. Despite the fact that Barbados is mostly sunny, the northeast tradewinds which criss-cross the location, ensure that it does not become unbearably hot for its visitors as well as its inhabitants. The dry season exists from January through to June; when the rains come they often do so in quick short showers. Tropical rainstorms however, tend to occur in hurricane season which comes in between the months of June to October.

About the Author

Trevor Fordyce is a serial traveller to the Caribbean. For more fantastic articles www.caribbeanbug.com 

For many  more great articles all about the Caribbean Island of Barbados visit The Barbados Blog, where you can find wonderful articles such as  .Barbados Currency Is Dollars, Of Course It Is

Bookmark It