General: Barbados

You’ve got Malu’s travel challenge to thank for this one – it reminded me that I haven’t written about Barbados…….yet. I’ve been to Barbados three times in the past ten years, each time for two weeks holiday. Since it’s not the cheapest venue in the world, both to get to, and also to stay in, I guess you could say I must like the place. In fact, I do like it – a lot! Barbados seems to embody all that I want from a holiday in terms of things to see, ...
...day’s seeing and doing! GEOGRAPHY AND WEATHER BITS Originally plotted and named by the Portuguese, who remarked upon its strange bearded trees (hence ‘barbados’), the island was more permanently settled by the British. Its contrasting coastal scenery, alternating between the distinctly balmy and calm to the decidedly rough and breezy is a major plus point for me. Barbados is one of the outer islands that form the barrier protecting the Caribbean ...

BNibbles 08.01.2004 (09.01.2004) · Read full review
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Review of General: Barbados

From the air the island is in the shape of a pear. Graced by gently rolling hills, sugar cane fields and spectacular beaches - Barbados is one of the most densely populated islands in the Caribbean and visitors quickly experience small winding roads that strain with the weight of traffic as cars drive on the left hand side past pastel coloured homes, gardens, historic stone buildings, churches, statues and parks. As far as islands go, it is not very ...
...island actually sits just to the east of the Caribbean islands that arch down toward nearby South America. The island is also unique with her mixture of English traditions and Caribbean style. Often called "Little England", the island is home to stone buildings, homes and churches built centuries ago. If one did not see nearby swaying palm trees you might be convinced you were in some UK neighbourhood. Other similarities to England can be seen in ...

sean0107 02.11.2004 · Read full review
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Review of General: Barbados

Who fancies a swim in a warm, inviting, turquoise coloured Sea. The colour’s to die for. I mean it’s breathtaking, it’s hard to imagine the sea can look so beautiful when you look at the cold grey sea at some of the coastal areas over here (not all). I am not knocking UK beaches, but there is a slight difference in temperature and colour. Even if you can’t swim you can always paddle or learn to swim, that’s were I learnt to swim many years ago,the ...
...later. I’m talking about Barbados. A tiny Caribbean island 14 miles wide by 21 miles long. It takes about 7.5 to 8 hours to get there from UK airports. So grab an early flight and be there for tea-time, then be ready to release all of your tensions and have fun. ~~~~~~~~~~~THE BEACHES~~~~~~~~~~~ The west coast is famous for it’s clear and warm turquoise sea that gently laps onto the sands that are white in some lights and a fantastic golden colour ...

gimi 18.07.2004 · Read full review
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Review of General: Barbados

This place is definitely the biz. Having visited the Caribbean a couple of times and left with mixed feelings (Jamaica - too much hassle and Cuba - nice, but strange) I was very pleasantly surprised to discover a really fine place with outstandingly nice, decent people. I just wish we’d been for longer than a week. First of all I’ll cover the bad bit, to get it out of the way. We stayed at the Southwinds Beach and Racquet Club, a Divi (Yank chain ...
...is an expensive place to stay and I wouldn’t recommend it. We were on a freebie (Scrounged a timeshare) and were supposed to be staying in a 2-bedroom apartment. This turned into a one-bedroom apartment on arrival, which was very nice, but not what we’d booked. The general staff (Cleaners, bartenders, and entertainment crew) were fine, but the admin staff were somewhat rude and unhelpful. We’d only been here 10 minutes when another guest (From the ...

jambo6 11.12.2000 · Read full review
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Review of General: Barbados

well my advice is if you get the chance you MUST go to Barbados, don't be fooled into thinking it is only for the rich and famous ,if you do some looking you can go and NOT spend a fortune! we went two years ago ( and are going back this nov) for 3 people in a studio apartment ( plenty of space!) we are paying £2100 (total not each) this is for 2 weeks and includes flights ( we are travelling with virgin this time) my best advice is to stay on the ...
...christchurch or anywhere near St. Lawrence Gap ( only stay right in the heart if you don't mind loud music!) but even 5 - 10 mins away from the gap is a peaceful night. (first time we stayed at the bougunvillia beach hotel ( fantastic but a bit pricier ) all the beaches in barbados are public so you can sunbathe ANYWHERE you do not have to be a guest at that particular hotel to use the beach there, one word of warning though topless sunbathing by ...

MrsTabs 29.05.2007 · Read full review
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Review of General: Barbados

If you're a resident of the UK or maybe even northern America, you'd probably not appreciate the crappo weather that we can have at the very early part of the year. Hence the reason why I fancied escaping it all and getting myself some Sun, Sea and Sand. I'm pleased that we chose Barbados, as it delivered all that I had hoped for. We stayed at the Sunset Crest complex, located in St. James on the West coast, which I believe is one of the very few ...
...that, I prefer self catering to hotels, B&B's, etc. The apartment was lovely, with the rooms seperated, therefore you don't end up sleeping in an open-plan type of place next to the stove. The island had a lot to offer. We took a trip on the Atlantis submarine, which took us down 150' and was well worth the money at approx £50 GBP for about an hour and a half (45 mins underwater, the rest was the boat journey to the sub and back). We also had a ...

crease 06.02.2004 (08.02.2004) · Read full review
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Review of General: Barbados

Say "Barbados" and images of swaying palms, crystal clear water, smiling faces and Boogie Buses spring to mind. But what surprised me was you also get Trafalgar Square, English churches and Cricket. Now they may seem odd things to add to the list, but, give me some time and I'll explain... The only time I've cried because I had to come home, was on my first holiday to Barbados. Every 'thing' about the place was my favourite thing. I loved the people, ...
...We stayed in Paynes Bay on the West Coast, in the Parish of St. James, and as anyone from that side of the island will tell you "west is best". This is the side of the Carribean Sea. The gently lapping, deliciously warm, almost perfumed Carribean Sea. Clear & shallow water makes for excellent and safe snorkelling, although it does have to be said that the hiring of waterbikes is commonplace so great care should still be taken in the water. Not to ...

Salgirl 13.03.2001 · Read full review
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Review of General: Barbados

265,000 people in Barbabos.This 166 square mile island is a tropical paradise.Barbados used to be inhabited by Amerindians.In 1627,British settled here and Barbados gained independance from Briain in 1964. Barbados has good stability and most people generally have a good quality of life and it is a number one developing country.Sugar has been the main product for over 350 years .All that lovely rum,yum.The biggest money maker now is tourism. Barbados ...
...very relgious.Barbados infact has over 100 religions.Beautiful weather,plenty of liquid sunshine to feed fresh springs and crops,fruit,veg,fresh fish and poultry and the love of outdoor sports make Barbados people fit and live a long healthy life. I found Barbados expensive compared to Cuba,Jamaica,but i found it had something they did not too.It is a tropical heaven and the best time to visit is between Nov-April.It rains more from May-Oct.The ...

Rachey 14.03.2003 · Read full review
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Review of General: Barbados

Barbados. Heaven. Barbados. Heaven.. Barbados. (Sorry Religious people!) Barbados is certainely one of the world's number one paradise islands, and last time I was there never did I think it wasn't worth it or did I want to leave. It's great fun on the beach, but there is a lot to do around the island - take a look around the mainland. And if you don't want to leave the beach, delve further into it and take a ride on a banana bpat - a truly unforgettable ...
...a ride in the originally named 'glass bottom boat' - a boat with a glass bottom - may take your fancy. This gives you a chance to see the large variety of Barbadian fish and aquatic creatures. I stayed at the Grand Barbados hotel - truly unique - it juts out over the sea, and you have breakfast 500 metres away from land! Unfortunately, some of the suites that were on the end of the peir were knocked off by waves a while back, but the rooms are ...

danieletheridge 07.02.2001 · Read full review
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Review of General: Barbados

Undoubtedly Barbados has to be one of the most beautiful and enchanting places on earth. The weather is pretty much consistent in being brilliant all year round. The beaches are absolutley fantastic, especially around the south-west St. Lawrence Gap area and the best beaches are probably on the east coast but this is very much an exclusive and very expensive place to stay which would explain why it is frequented by the rich and famous. The nightlife ...
...the main hot-spots being "Harbour Lights" and "The Ship Inn", however it is very hard to get away from reggae and ragga music. The capital Bridgetown is very good for tax-free shopping and market stalls where a whole range of presents for the family can be bought. Something that i would advise doing while you are there is taking a trip on one of the many boat or catamaran cruises around the island (a particular favourite if you're into alcohol is ...

moophead 11.07.2000 · Read full review
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Review of General: Barbados

From my point of view Paynes Bay Barbados is one of the most Beautiful beaches on the island if not in the Caribbean,the water is crystal clear the strech of beach is very clean as a matter of fact you can swim with and feed sea turtles they eat right out of your hand the Hawks bill & leather back which is almost extint is the most seen turtles on this beach,you can even stand on the beach and feed them while there are in the water,the turtles comes ...

Nealabbey 31.10.2009 · Read full review
Review of General: Barbados

I have been lucky to have been returning to Barbados every Christmas for nearly all of my life (I’m 27) Whilst there have been changes – much more tourism, new hotels – considering the increase in visitors it has managed to maintain an unspoilt element. The East Coast looks over the Atlantic and is naturally breathtakingly beautiful and largely unaffected by mass tourism. There are elements of Barbados to please everyone – although as a young teenager ...
...For such a small island and labelled third world, the diversity is incredible. It is a country with relatively high literacy rates – the university has an extremely good rep. If you need to shop the capital Bridgetown will suffice (although thankfully although America is much celebrated and revered, the local culture still maintains a strong footing. Barbados is one of the few places in the world to categorically reject McDonalds in favour of the ...

tamara 04.10.2000 · Read full review
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Review of General: Barbados

If you want to memorable dream holiday, relax, unwind, and soak up the azure ocean, and the Barbadian ambience. There is no place like it. Choose to fly with Virgin Atlantic and enjoy your journey into newly refurbished Grantly Adams Airport, and be ready for a stunning break of a lifetime. BARBADOS FACTS Barbados is naturally rich in water & land sports so whether you fancy Scuba Diving off the East Coast or trying your hand at Gold at Sandy Lane ...
...do for all ages. My love of Barbados spans back many years, parents, family and friends, its a progressive island that is forever changing but one thing that stays true is the culture. Barbadians are friendly english speaking people who are proud of their Cricket as they are proud their Horse Racing at the Garrison, Jockey's from all over the world ride there, so don't be surprised if you rub shoulders with the rich and famous, like Michael Bolton, ...

oceanblue 17.03.2004 · Read full review
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Review of General: Barbados

I have family in barbados and I thought a review on the non tourist side of barbados and places most people never get to see would be helpful. Barbados is a very beautiful and laid back island and along with the tried and tested tourist attractions there are very many places you cannot miss on a visit the first of these is Oistins Bay at the south of the Island, there is a beautiful beach here called Miami Beach (not that one) mainly used by locals ...
...the rougher water coming in on the west this side can be used for boogie(body) boarding which can be hired or just lounging. Both boards and loungers can be hired here for just $10 Bd dollars. On Friday nites Oistins really comes to life where the streets are blocked off and a weekly street party takes place there are loads of great inexpensive bars to drink at as well as fish bars(restaurants) where you can sit and enjoy locally caught and cooked ...

Togstar 02.09.2008 · Read full review
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Review of General: Barbados

Having never been to the Caribbean before, Barbados certainly lived up to my expectations of what paradise should be. Gorgeous beaches, clear seas and lots of sun. Although I stayed at the beautiful Almond Beach Village on the west coast but I also managed to drag myself away from the beach and experience some of the other areas the island has to offer. the island is very varied ranging from the quiet and beautiful west coast to the lively south ...
...of night life, whereby locals meet tourists in trendy bars and clubs. Drinks can be expensive but most bars offer 2-4-1 offers or happy hours. Clubs do charge an entrance fee but often have live bands before the club really gets started. Travelling around the island is very easy. I made use of the local buses which are a set fee of $1.5 anywhere in the island. They are very frequent and are not too overcrowded. Bridgetown, the islands capital is ...

kayleybo 04.11.2003 · Read full review
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Review of General: Barbados