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Overview
Laid back and easy going with a captivating, vibrant culture and fantastic year-round climate, enchanting Barbados has long been a firm favourite with the British who continue to enjoy its delightfully varied landscape, internationally acclaimed cuisine, plethora of activities, and not least, the warm hospitality of the Barbadians and the island's relaxed, albeit sophisticated, Caribbean atmosphere.
Discover Paradise
The easternmost island in the Lesser Antilles chain, Barbados (21 miles by 14 miles wide), is just eight and a half hour’s direct flight from the UK. Boasting glorious stretches of white and pink sandy beaches and secluded bays backed by swaying palm trees, it enjoys a fantastic year round tropical climate with warm sunny days pleasantly cooled by prevailing trade winds. Elegantly luxurious hotels and villas provide exceptionally high levels of personal service and all around there’s a fantastically vibrant, laid-back, and friendly atmosphere not least due to the infectious rhythms of calypso music. Everyone loves the colourful festivals, historic sights, colonial architecture, immaculately lush tropical gardens, and great value duty free designer shopping, and Bajan cuisine is as tantalising as the rum cocktails are abundant. There’s a plethora of championship golf courses, polo to enjoy, and cricket matches aplenty.
A Little Background
Named by passing Portuguese sailors as Los Barbados, (or 'the bearded one' which refers to the island's unpruned fig trees), the first English settlers arrived in 1627 and created extensive tobacco, cotton and sugar cane plantations and, uniquely, it remained British throughout its colonial history. In 1966, Barbados gained its Independence although enjoys being part of the Commonwealth.
Heritage
A charming blend of influences is evident with African and West Indian inspired cuisine and colourful music; where village cricket, polo, charming seaside resort names including Worthing and Brighton, driving on the left, rum production, and English-style afternoon tea, are all legacies inherited from the British. Although, overall there’s a laid back atmosphere, casual formality is the norm in hotels at dinner.
Bajan Cuisine
Combining European influences with African and Caribbean traditions and tastes, Bajan cuisine is a tantalisingly unique blend of flavours with locally caught fish and seafood dominating the menu. Flying fish, Barbados’ national emblem, is often paired with cou-cou, a mix of cornmeal, okra and peppers, to make the island’s national dish and traditional favourites such as rice and peas and macaroni pie complement most dishes. Sunday buffets are a sumptuous affair, and for those with a sweet tooth, there’s guava cheese (a sugary treat) and coconut bread. Originating in Barbados, rum has played an integral part for more than 350 years, and there is a plethora of rum shops where the island’s legendary rum can be sampled.
Beaches
Barbados is home to many beautiful and diverse beaches including, on the west coast, the excellent Brandons, Batts Rock, Fitts Village, Paynes Bay, Sandy Lane and Folkestone Park in the parish of St James, with Mullins Bay and Heywoods in St Peter. Beaches and bays in the south include Miami Beach, Dover Beach, Silver Sands, Accra Beach and Bottom Bay, whilst on the east side there’s Crane Beach, Ginger Bay, Foul Bay, Cattlewash, Morgan Lewis beach, Bath beach, Tent Bay, Martin’s Bay and Skeete’s Bay, with Freyers Well Bay a hidden gem in the north. Visit our blog for more information on the best beaches in Barbados.
Getting Around
To give you the freedom to explore the island at your own leisure, car hire is recommended, even for just a few days; on the plus side, driving is on the left. Taxis are plentiful but as they are unmetered it’s advisable to establish the cost prior to setting off. Public buses are inexpensive but can be crowded; and as all journeys radiate in and out of Bridgetown, cross country tours can be time-consuming. There are also ZR’s, frequently running, privately operated mini buses and route taxis.
West Coast
In the sophisticated west, often referred to as the Platinum Coast, there are beautifully clear azure Caribbean waters and truly glorious stretches of pristine, golden sand beaches. Favoured by discerning visitors, this coastline features some of the most luxuriously sophisticated beachfront resort hotels and villas in the Caribbean and, together with numerous excellent restaurants, there are great opportunities for snorkelling, scuba diving and swimming with sea turtles.
East Coast
The stunningly beautiful east coast is unspoilt, untamed, wild and windy with craggy cliffs, deserted beaches and sleepy villages. The coastline is dotted with traditional colourful chattel houses and inland there are several stunning gardens and natural sights including ancient forests, caves and gullies. The beaches are wide and often windy, and with the crashing waves of the Atlantic, more suited to walking and sunbathing rather than swimming; the swell of the sea is, of course, beloved of surfers, and Bathsheba’s Soup Bowl, favoured by the most experienced.
South Coast
Boasting flawless sands on wide expanses of gently shelving beaches, protected by coral reefs, the south coast is ideal for families, sun worshippers and those loving swimming, snorkelling and diving. The south is where the Caribbean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean meet, creating a good swell for a host of watersports. The south encompasses the parish of St Philip, home to Sunbury Plantation House and well-renowned Crane Beach, whilst Christ Church, the island’s largest parish with its fabulous beaches, boasts a vibrant nightlife with numerous restaurants, rum bars and nightclubs in St Lawrence Gap and Oistins.
North Coast
The north is beautifully rugged and extremely photogenic and a scenic drive reveals majestic coral and sandstone sea cliffs and magnificently deserted bays where the powerful Atlantic waves have created sea caves and blowholes.
To make your holiday extra special, on arrival in your Caribbean holiday destination, all Classic Collection Holidays customers will be greeted airside, fast tracked through passport control and baggage and escorted to the private transfer waiting to whisk you to your luxury hotel! Call 0800 294 9315 to book your holiday in paradise.
- What to do?
- Tours & Cruises
- Hotels
Laid back and easy going with a captivating, vibrant culture and fantastic year-round climate, enchanting Barbados has long been a firm favourite with the British who continue to enjoy its delightfully varied landscape, internationally acclaimed cuisine, plethora of activities, and not least, the warm hospitality of the Barbadians and the island's relaxed, albeit sophisticated, Caribbean atmosphere.
Discover Paradise
The easternmost island in the Lesser Antilles chain, Barbados (21 miles by 14 miles wide), is just eight and a half hour’s direct flight from the UK. Boasting glorious stretches of white and pink sandy beaches and secluded bays backed by swaying palm trees, it enjoys a fantastic year round tropical climate with warm sunny days pleasantly cooled by prevailing trade winds. Elegantly luxurious hotels and villas provide exceptionally high levels of personal service and all around there’s a fantastically vibrant, laid-back, and friendly atmosphere not least due to the infectious rhythms of calypso music. Everyone loves the colourful festivals, historic sights, colonial architecture, immaculately lush tropical gardens, and great value duty free designer shopping, and Bajan cuisine is as tantalising as the rum cocktails are abundant. There’s a plethora of championship golf courses, polo to enjoy, and cricket matches aplenty.
A Little Background
Named by passing Portuguese sailors as Los Barbados, (or 'the bearded one' which refers to the island's unpruned fig trees), the first English settlers arrived in 1627 and created extensive tobacco, cotton and sugar cane plantations and, uniquely, it remained British throughout its colonial history. In 1966, Barbados gained its Independence although enjoys being part of the Commonwealth.
Heritage
A charming blend of influences is evident with African and West Indian inspired cuisine and colourful music; where village cricket, polo, charming seaside resort names including Worthing and Brighton, driving on the left, rum production, and English-style afternoon tea, are all legacies inherited from the British. Although, overall there’s a laid back atmosphere, casual formality is the norm in hotels at dinner.
Bajan Cuisine
Combining European influences with African and Caribbean traditions and tastes, Bajan cuisine is a tantalisingly unique blend of flavours with locally caught fish and seafood dominating the menu. Flying fish, Barbados’ national emblem, is often paired with cou-cou, a mix of cornmeal, okra and peppers, to make the island’s national dish and traditional favourites such as rice and peas and macaroni pie complement most dishes. Sunday buffets are a sumptuous affair, and for those with a sweet tooth, there’s guava cheese (a sugary treat) and coconut bread. Originating in Barbados, rum has played an integral part for more than 350 years, and there is a plethora of rum shops where the island’s legendary rum can be sampled.
Beaches
Barbados is home to many beautiful and diverse beaches including, on the west coast, the excellent Brandons, Batts Rock, Fitts Village, Paynes Bay, Sandy Lane and Folkestone Park in the parish of St James, with Mullins Bay and Heywoods in St Peter. Beaches and bays in the south include Miami Beach, Dover Beach, Silver Sands, Accra Beach and Bottom Bay, whilst on the east side there’s Crane Beach, Ginger Bay, Foul Bay, Cattlewash, Morgan Lewis beach, Bath beach, Tent Bay, Martin’s Bay and Skeete’s Bay, with Freyers Well Bay a hidden gem in the north. Visit our blog for more information on the best beaches in Barbados.
Getting Around
To give you the freedom to explore the island at your own leisure, car hire is recommended, even for just a few days; on the plus side, driving is on the left. Taxis are plentiful but as they are unmetered it’s advisable to establish the cost prior to setting off. Public buses are inexpensive but can be crowded; and as all journeys radiate in and out of Bridgetown, cross country tours can be time-consuming. There are also ZR’s, frequently running, privately operated mini buses and route taxis.
West Coast
In the sophisticated west, often referred to as the Platinum Coast, there are beautifully clear azure Caribbean waters and truly glorious stretches of pristine, golden sand beaches. Favoured by discerning visitors, this coastline features some of the most luxuriously sophisticated beachfront resort hotels and villas in the Caribbean and, together with numerous excellent restaurants, there are great opportunities for snorkelling, scuba diving and swimming with sea turtles.
East Coast
The stunningly beautiful east coast is unspoilt, untamed, wild and windy with craggy cliffs, deserted beaches and sleepy villages. The coastline is dotted with traditional colourful chattel houses and inland there are several stunning gardens and natural sights including ancient forests, caves and gullies. The beaches are wide and often windy, and with the crashing waves of the Atlantic, more suited to walking and sunbathing rather than swimming; the swell of the sea is, of course, beloved of surfers, and Bathsheba’s Soup Bowl, favoured by the most experienced.
South Coast
Boasting flawless sands on wide expanses of gently shelving beaches, protected by coral reefs, the south coast is ideal for families, sun worshippers and those loving swimming, snorkelling and diving. The south is where the Caribbean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean meet, creating a good swell for a host of watersports. The south encompasses the parish of St Philip, home to Sunbury Plantation House and well-renowned Crane Beach, whilst Christ Church, the island’s largest parish with its fabulous beaches, boasts a vibrant nightlife with numerous restaurants, rum bars and nightclubs in St Lawrence Gap and Oistins.
North Coast
The north is beautifully rugged and extremely photogenic and a scenic drive reveals majestic coral and sandstone sea cliffs and magnificently deserted bays where the powerful Atlantic waves have created sea caves and blowholes.
To make your holiday extra special, on arrival in your Caribbean holiday destination, all Classic Collection Holidays customers will be greeted airside, fast tracked through passport control and baggage and escorted to the private transfer waiting to whisk you to your luxury hotel! Call 0800 294 9315 to book your holiday in paradise.
Regions
Featured hotels
Ocean Two Resort and Residences
In a secluded bay on the south coast, bordering the inviting white sands of Dover Beach and just a short stroll from lively St Lawrence Gap.
Request a quote
Mango Bay
Set on the beautiful white sandy St James Beach on the west coast, and with restaurants, bars and boutiques of fashionable Holetown just footsteps away.
Request a quote
Colony Club by Elegant Hotels
Boasting a stunning setting in beautifully lush tropical gardens on the beachfront of the renowned west coast.
Request a quote
Crystal Cove by Elegant Hotels
Located in a sandy cove on the Caribbean west coast of Barbados, premium all inclusive Crystal Cove offers a highly personalised service.
Request a quote
Featured hotels
Ocean Two Resort and Residences
In a secluded bay on the south coast, bordering the inviting white sands of Dover Beach and just a short stroll from lively St Lawrence Gap.
Mango Bay
Set on the beautiful white sandy St James Beach on the west coast, and with restaurants, bars and boutiques of fashionable Holetown just footsteps away.
Colony Club by Elegant Hotels
Boasting a stunning setting in beautifully lush tropical gardens on the beachfront of the renowned west coast.
Crystal Cove by Elegant Hotels
Located in a sandy cove on the Caribbean west coast of Barbados, premium all inclusive Crystal Cove offers a highly personalised service.
Barbados special offers
St John
Castries
St Paul
Soufriere
St George
Gros Islet
Madeira
Lake Garda
Liguria
