Holidays In Barbados

     Think luxury Caribbean holiday and Barbados surely springs to mind. Up until recently, as your aircraft landed at Grantley Adams International Airport, you could see that symbol of ultimate luxury parked on the runway: Concorde. Today, she's hidden away in a hangar but still a testament to the fact that British Airways felt that Barbados was the only other place in the world - apart from New York - which could sustain Concorde flying into the island twice a week.

     As the ultimate, premier, warm weather holiday destination for tourists worldwide, Barbados boasts a repeat clientele of over 40 percent. Concorde may be long gone but Barbados has cemented its status as the luxury Caribbean island and it is constantly upgrading its amenities for its visitors. In terms of tourists, the Brits make up around 42% (or approximately 220,000 tourists) per year and is it any wonder that the Brits love Barbados? If you forget the fabulous weather for a moment and put aside the azure blue ocean and the odd tropical plant...you could be forgiven for thinking that you were driving around Surrey or the Cotswolds, with men in full cricket whites playing on village greens, pretty parish churches and red telephone boxes and post boxes dotted around the Barbados countryside. For many, this is the island's appeal: a quaint, old-fashioned Englishness making it seem almost like a home-from-home.

     No guide to Barbados is complete without a mention of cricket. Over the years, Barbados has supplied some of the world's top cricketers, such as Sir Garry Sobers, Everton Weekes, Charlie Griffith, Clyde Walcott, Mitchell Hewitt and Wes Hall to name but a few. The island's cricketers left the island to join international teams and in some cases to captain them. With the International Cricket World Cup in 2007, the island is currently rebuilding its top cricket ground, the Kensington Oval.

IS BARBADOS JUST FOR THE JET SET?

     Like anywhere in the world, if you choose to stay in the best properties and eat in the finest restaurants, you're going to find it pricey. However, Barbados has a huge variety of places to stay and eat and to suit all budgets and tastes. The island has a number of top end hotels mainly on the west coast of the island where you'll find a 24-mile ribbon of fine, sandy beaches and the calm Caribbean sea. The southern coast is more suitable for families with children and offers more affordable accommodation, restaurants, bars and clubs. The south of the island is undoubtedly the best for nightlife.

HOW FAR IS BARBADOS FROM THE UK?

     Only 8.5 hours flight from the UK to Barbados - no further than Florida. Time difference is the same as the USA. Many airlines operate a daily service of cheap flights to Barbados from either Gatwick or Manchester with regional connections.

WHAT IS THERE TO DO IN BARBADOS?

     If you've had your fill with sunbathing and sipping cool cocktails by the edge of the warm waters of the Caribbean.....then you could go on a submarine tour, hiking, horse-riding, quad-biking, mountain-biking, golfing or sail in a glass-bottom boat or visit Barbados Wildlife Reserve, Harrison's Cave or take an Island Safari or even go swimming with the turtles! For those who decide to shop, remember that Barbados is a duty-free island and you are likely to pick up some very good branded bargains! Children and grown-ups alike will love the Atlantis Submarine which dives to 55 feet where passengers can view a spectacular coral reef and an abundance of marine life. It then descends to depths of 115-150 feet to view a sunken shipwreck. This fascinating underwater journey is expertly narrated by the co-pilot.

WHERE TO EAT IN BARBADOS?

     For a more formal affair, head to L'Acajou at the deluxe Sandy Lane Hotel which overlooks the beach and the sea and serves a mixture of fine French and Caribbean haute cuisine. Or try some typical Caribbean dishes at The Cliff which has been voted one of the top 50 restaurants in the world and is a regular celebrity haunt. For freshly caught fish, alligator or ostrich, try The Restaurant at Southsea which features in Conde Nast Traveller's Hot Tables List. Zen is one of the best Japanese/Thai restaurants in Barbados and is found at The Crane Hotel on the South Coast.