What do you think of when I say Barbados? I’ll be the first to hold my hands up and admit that up until last weekend, I only knew of dreamy beaches (pictured below) and a little about our gal Rhi Rhi (shame-a shame-a shame-a). That is until I attended Icelolly.com #BlogAtTheBeach in collaboration with Visit Barbados and discovered there’s a whole island full of exciting, cultural and rum-full (?) excursions and now I am desperate to visit! So here’s 5 reasons why Barbados should be next on your bucket list:
1. The People of Barbados
Yes, this is my number 1. When Marc from the Barbados Tourist Board stood up to present to us everything we needed to know about Barbados, I was completely sold on the description that visitors described Barbadians as ‘warm and welcoming’. To me, it’s so important that wherever I go, I feel welcome and it’s actually this reason I’ll return again and again to a place. As I often travel as a family, I want to feel like my whole tribe is welcome there and this is something I love to share with my audience too! Marc actually told us that they have a 33% rate of returning visitors each year, as an ex-travel agent I was stunned. I HAVE to meet these people.
2. Spelunking
No, I’m not describing something utterly dirty, you naughty little fox. Spelunking ‘the exploration of caves, especially as a hobby’ is a wonderful way to explore Harrison’s Cave. I’m desperate to don my finest knee and elbow pads and get deep into the cave just as the first explorers did.
3. Yo Ho Ho and a Bottle of Rum
Did you know that there are over 1700 rum shops (not shacks, let’s make sure we get that correct) in Barbados? 17-HUNDRED, for an island that is approximately 166sqm this makes a rum lover like myself very happy. I guess it must be like the Starbucks in New York situation where you’re never too far from your favourite caffeine fix (or in this case delicious, boozy drink). Barbados has a whole history of rum and with it comes incredible puns. Marc told us that you’ll always find a rum shop very close to a church as the spirits like to mingle… did you get it ;-)? They have 4 distilleries, including St Nicholas Abbey which for a history buff like myself I am itching to go to. The plantation house was built in 1658 and is one of only three genuine Jacobean mansions in the Western Hemisphere.
4. For the Festivals
With different festivals running throughout the year and to suit different tastes, you’ll be sure that Barbados can accommodate you. I’m particularly sold on the Crop Over Festival but I’m pretty sure my husband would prefer the Run Barbados event in December. Not into running? Don’t worry, as welcoming folk they even offer a 1 mile walk… I’ll be there to escort you and sip on some rum after …. or maybe during. No judgement zone right here.
5. We Gatherin’
If you, as much as I do reaaaally wanna head to Barbados then there is no time like 2020. With Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley sharing her vision on what she’s like to happen for 2020 (spoiler: it’s a huge celebration), all eyes will be on Barbados next year. Anyone who feels a connection to this wonderful, vibrant island or simply wants to jump on the steam train (yup they have one there!) then hop on board and I’ll race you there.
I hope you’ve learnt a couple of things about Barbados whilst reading this post and I’ve sparked some travel inspiration. Thanks again to Icelolly.com for the fantastic #BlogAtTheBeach event and I can’t wait to start working out ways to get myself to Barbados. I hear it’s easy enough with Virgin Atlantic flying from Manchester twice weekly ;-).
Violet x
(This post is not sponsored but I was invited to the press event where inspiration hit me!)
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