Explore Barbados
Barbados
Description
The beauty of Barbados
Where better than Barbados for a sun-soaked tropical holiday? With its warm climate and crystal-clear waters, this Caribbean island country is the ideal destination for year-round sunshine. Bursting with natural beauty, Barbados has picture-perfect beaches, exotic wildlife and fascinating caves filled with stalagmites and stalactites. It’s no wonder so many rich and famous celebs flock to its shores: the glamorous Platinum Coast is where A-listers like Rihanna and Sir Cliff Richard make their homes.
Historic Bridgetown
Bridgetown is the capital of the Bahamas, and it’s a fascinating place to discover the island’s history. Named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2011, Historic Bridgetown and its Garrison are packed with significant buildings and monuments that tell the story of its colonial past. Visit the Independence Arch near Chamberlain Bridge for a photo stop – this was built to commemorate the island’s independence from British colonial rule. When you’ve finished admiring the architecture, head down to Carlisle Bay, one of the most beautiful beaches in Barbados.
Bajan culture and traditions
There’s always something to celebrate in Barbados. The island’s most famous shindig is the three-month-long Crop Over Festival, a traditional party marking the sugar cane harvest and celebrating freedom from slavery. The mid-February Holetown Festival is another big date in the Bajan calendar, commemorating the first landing of British settlers in 1627. Traditional tuk bands play at every celebration, while the addictive rhythms of calypso, reggae and soca fill the air in nightclubs on St Lawrence Gap.
Getting active
Despite the island’s laid-back character, there are plenty of active pursuits on offer. Swim in the rock pools of the amazing Animal Flower Cave, which opens into the Atlantic Ocean, or go shipwreck diving and explore the wrecks off Carlisle Bay, where green sea turtles abound. Walk around Queen’s Park and visit the island’s ancient Baobab tree, said to be more than 1000 years old. Or go windsurfing at Silver Point and experience the exhilaration of jumping the waves.
Eat, drink and be merry
In Barbados, you’ll be treated to a mouthwatering range of local culinary creations, often flavoured with a characteristic combination of spices and lime juice. Fishcakes and macaroni pie are both popular dishes on the island, while the Barbadian national dish, cou cou and fried flying fish, is a must-try speciality. Thirsty? Fresh coconut water makes a uniquely refreshing accompaniment to your meal.
When it comes to a tipple, Barbados is widely acknowledged to be the birthplace of rum, and the spirit has been distilled on the island for over 350 years. In Saint Peter you can visit one of the first rum distilleries, St Nicholas Abbey, to learn more about this fascinating spirit and its connection with sugar cane production on the island. Afterwards, enjoy a rum punch on the beach as you watch the sun go down.
Book your multi-centre trip to Barbados today
Dreaming of your next trip? Why not make it a reality! Book your multi centre holiday to Barbados with Viva Holidays, and make your dreams come true.
