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As I checked in at Heathrow’s Terminal 3, I suddenly realised that one of my all time 'must see' destinations was finally turning to realisation. The service received on the whole flight was second to none – nothing was too much trouble. Champagne or fruit juice before takeoff, 'real' cutlery and china for main meals, snacks such as ice-cream for the entertainment, plenty of drinks – it was a great experience and one journey that I really enjoyed. The seat pitch also received top marks with reclining seats and footrests. It was worth paying the supplement for the extra comfort. The journey from Heathrow to Barbados took around 7 hours and 40 minutes and it was a real relaxing start to my holiday.

We stayed at the 3* Sandy Bay Beach Club in Worthing, which is on the South Coast of Barbados. We had chosen this hotel for a number of reasons mainly budget but also the fact it was 10 minutes walk from the St. Lawrence Gap and a 15 minute bus ride to the capital, Bridgetown.

Barbados did not disappoint me one bit – the weather was fantastic and in the late 20’s early 30’s on a daily basis. It’s great for relaxation and if you enjoy the beach, the Caribbean Sea just invites you in for a swim or maybe you would like to try your hand at cricket or volleyball with the locals. We did participate as a family in a couple of trips that were organised; the Ahoy Catamaran Trip and the evening show; Roots n’ Rhythms.

The Ahoy Catamaran trip – this is a great experience to see the West Coast and see if you can spot any famous stars. Our first stop was at a ship wreck. We were given life jackets, snorkels and masks and the crew gave us some history and then guided us out to the shipwreck and shoals of fish. Our second stop was then to snorkel with the turtles – we were not disappointed. There were numerous turtles that came to see the snorkellers and a great opportunity for those with underwater cameras. We then had lunch on the boat and alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks were served throughout the day. Our final stop was a private bay which you swam to. It was a thoroughly enjoyable day for all the family. Please note: My daughter who is four is a confident swimmer, and was able to participate in the snorkelling. Any children under the age of 5 that cannot swim may find it a little boring!

Roots n’ Rhythms Evening Show – we were picked up from our hotel at transferred to the Plantation Rooms by minibus. We were quickly seated and offered drinks. We were then invited to go and get our dinner from the hot and cold buffet. It portrayed the culture of the West Indies with dancers, fire-eaters and stilt men in various costumes. Audience participation was included with a limbo dancing competition. At the end of the evening there was an opportunity to join in with the dancing before being transferred back to your hotel.

Bridgetown – we ventured into the capital by shuttle bus which dropped us off at Broad Street. This particular street is famous for its shops. You will find diamonds, jewellery and Rolex watches and so much more at cheaper prices than the UK. It was great to have a wander around the colourful and vibrant market. We had lunch at the Limelight Cafe, which was very reasonable and very enjoyable when washed down with a Rum Punch cocktail.

It was a thoroughly enjoyable holiday which has left many lasting memories.