Bask in Barbados

Barbados is an island of great natural beauty, from the wonder of underground caves to the beautiful vistas and the tropical colours of flora found across the island. The island boasts vibrant nightlife and pristine sandy beaches, with attractions such as lush botanic gardens and historic plantation houses to sumptuous tropical spas- you can bask in a variety of ways in a huge selection of places.

Tropical Climate:

Barbados’ tropical climate must be its leading attraction - hot and sunny all year round with enough rain to ensure that the island also preserves beautiful plant life and an abundance of flowers. The weather is at its best during the high season - mid-December to mid-April, when rainfall is low and the heat is reduced by cooling trade winds.

If you’re looking for the cutting edge of Barbados fashion you should visit the Chattel Village, enclosed in a lush garden, offering the best in ladies clothing as well as gourmet food and wine- to stock up on if you decided to go self catering. Prices are generally high, but the range of goods available is excellent. Food is not cheap but most things are available and good quality. For those who are self-catering, or just looking for picnic material, the supermarkets on the west and south coast’s are excellent and several of them organise transport for shopping trips.

As the birthplace of rum, Barbados understandably holds rum as the favourite tipple. A thousand rum bars offer plenty of choice while Mount Gay Rum, the oldest rum producer, on the island’s west coast offers tours - and tastings. You should definitely take time out from shopping and basking in the hot sun to enjoy the local traditional rum tasting- it’s likely to blow your socks off so keep your shoes strapped on tight.

Tasting Local Cuisine:

With several gourmet restaurants to choose from as well a huge number of other eateries you will be spoilt for choice. Some of these are in the luxury hotels such as Sandy Lane or Vila Nova, but you don’t have to go to a hotel for cordon bleu cuisine. Eating out is not cheap, but standards are high and the settings are often special, maybe even a table on the beach overlooking the breathtaking views of the ocean. Fresh fish is excellent and sold at the markets in Oistins, Bridgetown and elsewhere in the late afternoon and evening, when the fishermen come in with their catch. The main fish season is December to May.

Barbados Nightlife:

Sit at the bar and relax with a cold beer, a glass of pinot noir, or a classic martini; whatever your takes your fancy there are a number of bars and pubs to choose from. For those who wish to party day and night Barbados can also offer non-stop action with a wealth of bars and night clubs, beach parties, festivals and live performances from some of the world's best known artists. Harbour Lights is a very poplar open-air night spot. It is located on the beach and features a Monday night extravaganza. Fire Eating is one of the featured events. They also sponsor beach parties which start around 5 pm which are popular with the 20 and 30's crowd.

Once you have tasted the culinary delights and tipples on offer you may wish to explore Barbados’s rainbow of coral reefs, which offer a pristine watery home to seahorses, sponges and giant sand eels- as long as you don’t mind sharing your underwater experience with some of the local sea life you will be sure to have a great underwater encounter.

With so much to boast about this island really is a unique Caribbean paradise; it is surprisingly sophisticated, friendly, fun and always naturally charming.

- K.J.N -