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Barbados Information
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Barbados, a popular destination for many years, especially with Europeans, lies east of the Windward and Leeward Island chain in the Caribbean.
It is 21 miles long and 14 miles wide and is more populated than many of the other Caribbean islands. Its major airport serves not only the island but is a "jumping off point" for many other destinations. The majority of the population lives around the capital, Bridgetown. Most visitors choose to stay on the fashionable west coast where the luxury resorts with their white sand beaches and private villas abound. The east coast is less developed as the Atlantic waves can be very rough. In the interior there are fields of sugarcane while along the south coast there are numerous restaurants, shopping and an active nightlife. Having remained under English cdonial rule in the 17th and 18th centuries, Barbados has retained much that is British. Bajans speak with a British accent and afternoon tea, dressing for dinner, polo and cricket are traditions which are heartily embraced.
Island Inns specializes in luxury hotels and villas throughout the Caribbean and the Bahamas.
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INFORMATION ABOUT BARBADOS
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BEACHES: All beaches are public, even those at the resorts with the ones on the west coast being the most popular with their fine white sand and calm waters. As you go further south the surf becomes higher and in the east can become quite rough and dangerous and swimming is not to be attempted.
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SNORKELING AND DIVING: Off-shore barrier reefs are home to a wide variety of fish and even the Hawksbill turtle. Most of the dive sites are along the west coast and in Carlisle Bay more than 200 wrecks provide much to explore.Folkstone Marine Park has an artificial reef which was formed by sinking a huge greek freighter in 120 feet of water. Night dives and a full range of PADI instruction is available. Inshore coral reefs are great for snorkeling with coral, sea fans and reef fish in abundance.
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WATERSPORTS: Windsurfing is very good here, especially on the south and southeast coast and attracts an international group of afficianados. The wind and wave swells here are unique and allow windsurfers to reach high speeds and do acrobatic loops. This is the place for advanced windsurfing. There are also flat and calm places for beginners. Fine conditions exist for surfing on the east coast and there is an annual competition every November. Parasailing is available all along the west coast.
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BOATING AND SAILING: For those who enjoy watching fish but don't wish to get wet, minisubmarine voyages are very popular. You can see wrecks and reefs as deep as 150 feet below the surface. Nighttime dives use highpower searchlights for an incredible sight. Glass bottomed boats are for rent along the west coast. There are party boats and catamarans which offer lunch and snorkeling and cocktail-hour sunset cruises.
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GOLF: It is world-class on Barbados with a Robert Trent Jones Jr. 18-hole championship course which overlooks the scenic west coast. There are 4 other courses amound the island...another 18-hole course and 3 9-hole courses. Instruction is given. There are several tournaments hosted throughout the year.
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TENNIS:Court rentals are available to nonguests at many of the resorts on the west coast and require reservations and appropriate dress (tennis whites). There are pros available and and some are lit for night games. Squash courts can also be found.
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FISHING: Deep-sea fishing is top notch here with half or full day fishing charter trips available. Blue marlin, barracuda, wahoo, tuna, sailfish and mahi-mahi are just some of the fish you can pursue.
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HORSEBACK RIDING: There are 8 riding schools offering all levels of riding on nature trails and the beach. Some offer instruction.
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EXPLORING: There are many popular attractions and historic sights. These are just a few. Bridgetown, the busy capital is home to the Barbados Museum which has artifacts from around 400 BC through the present. In Trafalgar Square, a bronze statue of Lord Horatio Nelson stands across from the Victorian era, coralstone Paliament Buildings. The Barbados Gallery of Art displays changing exhibitions of the best of Barbadian and Caribbean art. In St. Thomas area Harrison's Cave, one of the finest cave systems in the world, is a very popular attraction. A tour, conducted aboard an electric tram explores the limestone cavern with its streams, pools, stalactites, stalagmites and a 40-foot waterfall. Sunbury Plantation House in St. Philip is a restored 300-year-old sugar estate. It has collections of antiques, china and old carts and machinery once used on the plantation. At Barbados Wildlife Reserve you can walk in a mahogany forest among green monkeys, mongoose, peacocks, deer, tortoises and a variety of tropical birds. Set on a cliffside, Andromedia Botanic Gardens contain many varieties of orchids, bougainvillea, hibiscus, ferns and other species which grow in profusion among rocky outcroppings overlooking the sea. At Ragged Point Lighthouse you can see the entire east coast with its dramatic Atlantic view. Tyrol Cot Heritage Village in St. Michael is a collection of chattel houses where you can watch traditional craftsmen at their work.
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SHOPPING: Huge selections of duty-free items are available at stores along Broad Street in Bridgetown which is the main shopping area in the capital. Here you can find cameras, crystal, gold jewelry, watches, bone china, perfumes and liquor as well as some items from Britain such as cashmere and tweed. If you have your passport or airline ticket with you, the items can be delivered to the airport for you...quite a convenience. In Bridgetown and throughout the island there are Barbados handcrafts for sale such as pottery, wall hangings, strawwork and leatherwork. Holetown and Speightstown also offer clothing, craft and gift shops some housed in traditional chattel houses.
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NIGHTLIFE: Some of the best Caribbean bands work the hotel and club circuit on Barbados. You can see steel bands, reggae groups and calypso singers nightly at the big resorts. Baxter Road is a well-known afterdark destination and after 11pm it starts humming. There are many bars, some with live entertainment and several dance clubs and where jazz, reggae and calypso headliners appear. Flashy discos and cabarets with limbo and steel-band music can be found.
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HIKING: Hike Barbados, organized byThe Barbados National Trust, conducts morning, afternoon and moonlight guided walks. Hikes are approximately 5 miles long and last approximately 3 hours.
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OTHER SPORTS & ACTIVITIES: Cricket, the national sport of Barbados, can be found all over the island at the weekends in the villages. There are also test matches at Kensington Oval and the Barbados Cricket Association. Polo can be seen at Holders Hill or the Barbados Polo Club near Holetown.
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All contents of this web site are copyright (c)2002 by Island Inns LLC. All rights reserved.
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