Page 39 - Carrier Magazine in partnership with Full Circle Travel

38 Knowledge Barbados 39

Culture vulture Ready, set, go

With its roots in England, this old plantation house has a UNESCO World Heritage Food Travellers visiting this sports-loving island can enjoy a local cricket
Africa and the West Indies, a cane grinding mill and a Site, its colonial architecture for thought match (Bajan-style with street food and steel bands), take in a polo
Barbados has its own unique rum distillery (buy a bottle, it making it a worthy awardee. match at one of four grounds, or channel your inner Rory Mcllroy on
identity. The backdrop is makes a great coming home Wander the streets or take a African, Indian and British one of the many beautiful courses. There’s also go-karting, horse
totally tropical but delve present). Also worth a visit is tour; stop off at the Museum influences have all played riding, cycling and watersports galore. What’s more, 2017 has been
deeper and you find beautiful the green-shuttered Sunbury of Parliament for a fascinating their part in creating the tipped as the island’s ‘Year of Sports’. As well as these more active
Bajan cuisine of today.
plantation houses hidden Plantation House. Dating insight into Barbados’ road Local foodie haunts and pursuits, here are a few highlights from the events calendar this year.
within the sugar cane fields; back to 1660 it is the height of to self-government and drop hotel restaurants combine
botanic gardens that give elegance. Time your visit over into the Mount Gay Visitor to form a coast-to-coast 03 to 09 June: 01 to 05 November:
Kew a run for its money; lunch for melt-in-the-mouth Centre for rum tours and free gourmet extravaganza Sailors ahoy, Barbados Yacht Enter into the Barbados
striking architecture; Bajan feasts, or teatime for the tastings. Other highlights are bursting with colour and Club in Bridgetown is hosting Open Water Swim Festival
fascinating museums and quintessential afternoon tea. Harrison’s Cave in the central flavour. Flying fish with cou the 2017 Finn World Masters for swimming and socializing.
cou is the national dish and
a thriving arts scene. Some Botanical gardens abound: uplands where trams take you shouldn’t leave without Championship. 17 to 20 November:
of the plantation houses from Andromeda on the you into huge underground sampling the staple. Then 18 to 25 June: Barbados Food & Rum
whisk you back to a bygone east coast where you might caverns containing there’s jerk chicken, fish Any budding Jane Packer should Festival is one for the gourmets.
era. St. Nicholas Abbey is a spot green monkeys to the stalagmites, stalactites, cakes, chicken curry roti, check out the World Flower This weekend is sure to
must. Just one of only three quirky Huntes, a magical streams, lakes and waterfalls. grilled prawns, salt bread Show, this year’s spectacle is tantalize your taste buds.
to name but a few menu
genuine Jacobean mansions world that occupies a large regulars. Even up-scale hosted in Bridgetown.
in the western hemisphere, sinkhole. Bridgetown itself is restaurants that have a
Mediterranean slant, feature July to August:
a good dose of Bajan flair. Expect an explosion of music,
We’ve picked six of the best. colour, artistry and aromas at the Left & above
Crop Over festival, culminating Sailing yacht off the
Bajan coast; open
in a street party on the final day. water swimming
1.

For seafood, check into
Champers. Set above
crashing waves on the south Hot
coast, it is the place for fresh For a small island, Barbados is big on luxury.
fish, plus the portions are property
super-generous. Not short of five stars, we pick luxury standouts for 2017.
2.

There’s many a table
with a view in Barbados,
but The Cliff, perched above
an idyllic floodlit cove pips
others to the post.
3.

Try Daphne’s for elegant
dining, stylish and utterly
romantic it is loved by all
lucky enough to nab a table.
4. Hotel hit:

Toes in the sand… only a
It’s only natural fish fry night. Locals and hop, skip and a jump away
Visit Oistins for Friday
The white sand beaches are just the beginning of Barbados’ tourists mingle at a cluster of from the platinum shores
natural playground. Even if it’s just a day away from beach beachside shacks to celebrate
Friday fun.
bliss, hire a car and head into the island’s lush interior. Explore
the twisting roads, drive by sugar cane fields, forests, village 5. The Fairmont stretch of glistening sand villa (pictured above) is set cuisine we recommend the

greens and colourful gardens ablaze with bougainvillea. The current en vogue Royal Pavilion that is regarded as one of the within the gardens and a short renowned Lone Star; enjoy
From land to sea. Be sure to take the plunge into the island’s establishment is Cin Cin By most beautiful and exclusive distance from the beach. innovative dishes just a stroll
watery world. On the west coast the snorkelling and diving the Sea. Tuck into the jumbo A couple’s sanctuary burrowed on the island. Indulge in When, or if, you decide to leave along the beach from the hotel.
is sensational with amazing visibility, reefs galore and shoal crab cakes. amidst lush greenery and complimentary canapés your suite, both restaurants are Wander next door to one of our
upon shoal of psychedelic fish, bobbing sea horses and gliding 6. colourful florae. Roll out of on your terrace or order a ocean front and will indulge favourite beach bars, Ju Ju’s,
manta rays. Take a catamaran cruise down the coast, swim bed and onto the beach with feast to enjoy in front of the any gastronomes with their where you can kick off your
with turtles, drink rum punch and watch the sun cast its pink For water’s edge dining minimal effort for a refreshing unspoilt ocean view, delivered culinary offerings, plus there’s shoes and enjoy a refreshing
and orange glow over the calm Caribbean Sea. Other great The Fish Pot in Little Good early morning swim – the by your own personal butler. paddleboard, windsurf, tennis bottle of Banks, the island’s
Harbour is a dreamy spot.
watery adventures include kayaking, paddle boarding, fishing Beachfront Junior Suites Following a renovation, the and swimming with turtles to local beer, whilst watching the
or hitting the east coast’s surf scene. have direct access onto the resort’s exclusive stand-alone try too. To sample the island’s sky turn golden in the sunset.

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