Overview
Barbados has captured the imagination of holidaymakers across the globe. It's an intimate island nation with unprecedented diversity, ranging from humble beachfront living to the refined pleasures of upmarket all-inclusive escapes. Moreover, Barbados is accessible to everyone thanks to an extensive portfolio of exceptional value resorts. Rainforests, designer shopping, white sands, history and nightlife all find a home in Barbados - and so will you.
- Flight time: Approx 9 hours
- Passport & Visa: No visa required
- Currency: Barbadian Dollar
- Time Zone: GMT-4
- Language: English
Culture
Barbados is the only Caribbean island that was governed by only one colonial power: Great Britain. Its influence has given the country the nickname "Little England." English is the official language of Barbados, but the Barbadian dialect has strong West African influences. Bajans are incredibly friendly people, welcoming visitors into local bars, restaurants, clubs and festivals.
Cuisine
Bajan food incorporates an intriguing mixture of Polynesian, French, Greek, Chinese, Italian, Japanese and New World traditions. Many dishes focus on meat or fresh seafood, usually served fried, curried, pickled or grilled.
Beaches
The lively beach culture of Barbados has a long history. Locals love to spend time on their beaches just as much as holidaymakers do, and Bajan beachfronts are wonderfully diverse. The west and south coasts sit beside the relatively calm Caribbean Sea, whereas the east coast has been shaped into fabulous rocky outcrops by the powerful Atlantic Ocean. International surfing and windsurfing competitions have taken advantage of these eastern coastlines for years.
Natural Beauty
Mild subtropical weather has nourished Barbados's dizzying array of wildlife, allowing the island to host some of most diverse rainforests and gardens in the Caribbean. Hiking trails, coastal pathways and off-road safaris are all excellent options for exploring the island, or simply unwind in one of the island's numerous sun-dappled parks.
Climate
Outside the Caribbean hurricane path, Barbados is endowed with year-round temperatures between 28°C - 30°C. As the most easterly of the Caribbean islands, the Atlantic trade winds provide consistently refreshing breezes. Average daily rainfall is less than a 1/4 inch, resulting in 3,000 hours of annual sunshine, solidifying Barbados as one of the most reliably clement Caribbean islands.
Birthplace of Rum
First made 370 years ago from fermenting sugar cane, Barbados rum soon found the favour of many English sailors. When Mount Gay Rum began distilling in 1703, the entire world recognised Barbados as the true birthplace of rum. Bajan cocktail making has also achieved artisanal finesse, with rum a common ingredient in recipes unique to the island and all of the best Barbados excursions end with a taste of the famous tipple.
Nightlife
Barbados's vibrant nightlife culture has created a fabulous collection of places to let loose long into the night, and it isn't all about clubbing either. Whether it's a night spent in Saint Lawrence Gap, at Oistins Fish Fry or along the historic streets of Holetown, there's something for everyone beneath the Bajan moon.
Shopping
With long-standing links to major global businesses, retailers in Barbados deal in the highest quality products in designer fashions, fine jewellery, crystal, fragrances, electronics and more. Home-grown talent is also abundant, with island craftsmen producing exquisite collectables and fine art at local galleries, speciality markets and regular craft fairs.
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If you need help customising your holiday, or simply need some more advice – chat to a Personal Travel Advisor on 01782 645 080 .
Oistins Fish Fry Barbados
Oistins Fish Fry is THE place to be on a Friday night in Barbados. Looking for a holiday filled with music, dancing, and the freshest fish in town? Look no further.
Barbados Golf Club
Barbados Golf Club is the best place to perfect your schwiiiing! A 72 par 18 hole course open to the public in the southern parish of Christchurch, it's a great way to spend the day in the beautiful Bajan sunshine. Check it out!
InFocus: Barbados
Here's Barbados in a nutshell! Series one of InFocus took us to this beautiful island in November 2014. And what a place to begin! Check it out.
Waves Hotel & Spa by Elegant Hotels
Waves Hotel & Spa by Elegant Hotels, Barbados, blew us away with their spectacular views of the Caribbean Sea! With a fantastic spa and 3 exciting restaurants to choose from, there’s something here for everyone.
Waves Hotel & Spa by Elegant Hotels, Barbados Spa
Waves Hotel & Spa by Elegant Hotels, Barbados offers a spa with it's own miracle worker! Pop in for a treatment with Alicia and you'll leave feeling rejuvenated, and ready to hit the beach again in no time.
Waves Hotel & Spa by Elegant Hotels, Barbados, Water Sports
Waves Hotel & Spa by Elegant Hotels, Barbados, please have us back! We wanna be swimming with those turtles again, instead of shivering at our desks. Pffft!
The Club Barbados Resort & Spa Enid's Cooking School
The Club Barbados Resort & Spa presents to you, Enid's Cooking School. As I write this, I'm eating rice cakes for lunch (ugh). This has just taken me back to what REAL food tastes like! Sofia and the team put on a fantastic show, with a bit of history,a lot of cooking, and very delicious results. WARNING! Will induce severe hunger-pangs and a desire to move to Barbados, effective immediately.
The Club Barbados Resort & Spa
The Club Barbados Resort & Spa will show you what a real sunset looks like. Seriously.
Sugar Cane Club Hotel & Spa Frangipani Art Gallery
Sugar Cane Club Hotel & Spa's Frangipani Art Gallery is full of traditional Bajan artwork and gives you the perfect chance to pick up a souvenir to take home.
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Sugar Cane Club Hotel & Spa gives you the opportunity to have Head Gardener Rodney lead you on a nature walk around the grounds. You’ll learn all about the nature surrounding the resort and you might even be lucky enough to spot a few green monkeys!
Sugar Cane Club Spa Barbados
Sugar Cane Club Hotel & Spa has a Spa experience waiting to turn you in to a superhero...honest!
Ocean Two Resort & Residences Barbados Private Chef Dining Experience
Ocean Two Resort & Residences gives you the chance to have a private chef come to your room and cook for you! Yep, you read that correctly. And FYI, the food is INCREDIBLE.
Ocean Two Resort & Residences Barbados
Ocean Two Resort & Residences provides couples, families and single-travellers alike with the perfect setting for TOTAL relaxation. Check it out!
Sea Breeze Beach Hotel Barbados
Sea Breeze Beach Hotel can be pretty much summed up with the following: super-fun water sports, delicious food and wonderful Bajan staff. Perfect. Check it out!
Sea Breeze Beach Hotel Azul Restaurant Barbados
Sea Breeze Beach Hotel's Azul Restaurant had us lost for words. Delicious Caribbean cooking, a view to die for and the perfect sunset. What more could you want from your holiday?
Dover Beach & St Lawrence Gap Barbados
Dover Beach & St Lawrence Gap are just a stone’s throw away from Time Out Hotel, where you've got white sands, a plethora of water sports and a tonne of exciting attractions for all you sun-worshippers and thrill-seekers.
Sugar Cane Club Hotel & Spa Barbados
Sugar Cane Club Hotel & Spa, is a hidden gem indeed! It's easy to see why this it gets such rave reviews from their guests, who return time and time again to this beautiful resort, carved out in the middle of nature.
Time Out Hotel Barbados
Time Out Hotel in Barbados, we just LOVED ! A fab location, right at the heart of St Lawrence Gap, and just a stone’s throw from Dover Beach. And did we mention it's excellent value for money? Well, it is! Check it out :)
Sugar Bay Barbados
Join us as we go #InFocus in Barbados and take you on a tour of Sugar Bay Barbados
The Club Barbados Resort & Spa Refurbished
Join us as we go #InFocus in Barbados and take you on a tour of the newly refurbished The Club Barbados Resort & Spa
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