It’s has been given the nickname ‘the Gem of the Caribbean Sea’. Whether you're looking to lounge on a pristine white beach, get a taste of local food or soak up lively Caribbean culture, your perfect holiday awaits you in Barbados. This picture-perfect tropical island really does have it all. From a UNESCO World Heritage capital to a jaw-dropping coastline, and lush, wild interiors, it’s idyllic Caribbean scenery at its finest. There’s always something to entice visitors, including festivities, sport, music, nightlife, local traditions and delicious cuisine.
FOOD AND DRINK
Barbados’ signature dish is Flying Fish fresh fried or steamed fish served with corn and okra vegetable. You’ll find it at many of Bajan restaurants, but for something less formal head to the Oistins Fish Market. It’s the island’s most famous marketplace, and comes alive on Friday and Saturday nights, local food stalls line the waterfront and serve freshly grilled fish and other traditional Bajan fare, including fish cakes and jug-jug (guinea corn and green peas), all washed down with the island’s Banks beer.
It’s not just food that the market’s famous for – there’s dancing, too, and the Bajans dance arm-in-arm to live hits from the ‘50s, ‘60s and ‘70s. Or for something entirely different, but no less atmospheric, try Bombay Club, Sandals first ever Indian restaurant.
Barbados has a strong claim to be the birthplace of rum, so a visit to the Mount Gay Rum Distillery is an essential part of the island’s food and drink culture. The distillery was first set up in 1703, and today it’s a brilliant place to discover the colourful history of Mount Gay Rum, you can learn how the is made, watching as a Distiller creates the spirit. It’s a chance to discover the different subtleties of flavours in the spirit, try it yourself in a cocktail, or straight, alongside Bajan cuisine. Rum bars line the beaches on the island, so you’ll be sure to sample a few.
NATURE AND HISTORY
Barbados boasts some epic scenery, and a safari tour in a fun way to take it all in. Explore the normally inaccessible forests, remote bays and coastal views by 4x4 Land Rover. Your professional guide will know all the hidden secrets of the island’s less-trodden territory.
At the heart of Barbados you’ll find one of its greatest wonders, Harrison’s Cave. You’ll find it hidden away in the central uplands of the island, near the parish of St. Thomas, in the unique and beautiful setting. First mentioned in historical documents in 1795, the caves lay forgotten until they were rediscovered in 1976. Today it’s a space full of stalactites, Stalagmites, streams, lakes and waterfalls, all leading to the dramatic Crystal Room Cave, of the finest examples of this type of natural phenomenon.
Stepping out into the daylight, you can soak up an altogether different kind of island history at St. Nicholas Abbey and Sunbury House. Located in the parish of St. Peter, it’s one of the only three genuine Jacobean mansions in the western Hemisphere, and a visit here highlights the early days of the area, and provides insight into how sugar cane was grown, harvested and eventually turned into sugar.
WHERE TO STAY
With such a dazzling backdrop you’ll want accommodation to match, and Sandals Barbados, is a five-star luxury resort combining the best of Barbados with the brand’s legendary hospitality. Located on the pristine sands of Dover Beach, here the endless Caribbean sunshine is accompanied by gentle ocean breezes and crystal-clear azure water.
Tear yourself from the beach (if you can) and you’ll enjoy decadent and romantic accommodation. The suites are fresh and classic, and come with heavenly four-posted beds, while some even have private plunge pools and soaking tubs on the balcony. That’s not the only way to relax, the sumptuous Red Lane spa combines European and Caribbean traditions to create a relaxing and rejuvenating spa session, indulge in a massage or a hydrating facial to sooth the skin.
Outside in the sunshine there’s so much to try. Not only are there swim-up suite options, but the resort comes with Sandals’ signature swim-up pool bar, the perfect place to catch some shade and make the most of it creative cocktails.
For something more active, the watersports offerings are unrivalled, from the catamaran cruise on the Caribbean Sea, exploring beautiful coves and palm-fringed beaches, to diving and kayaking. When all the fun makes you hungry, there are 11 world-class restaurants to choose from, with cuisines stretching from Bajan to Indian.