Brilliant Barbados

My relationship with Barbados has become quite comical over the years. It’s more of an obsession. A constant desire to be back on the land of the flying fish and I can only go so long before my next visit is inevitable. If you have been fortunate enough to visit Barbados, you will understand what I’m talking about as you will already have felt the magnetic pull of the island. With a history that is rich, welcoming locals that are infectious, a landscape that is vibrant and beaches that are obscenely beautiful, Barbados really does have it all. And with just an 8 ½ hour direct flight from London, a holiday there couldn’t be easier. To top it off, you can even drink the tap water!!

When to Go

The temperature rarely drops below 28C and is sunny all year round. No wonder the locals love life so much! December, January and February are traditionally the peak times to visit but the Island becomes busier and prices can soar. The Summer months tend to have patchy rain and the odd hurricane warning. Spring is my absolute favourite time to go, the Island is less busy, the weather is good there are always great deals to be found.

Where to Stay

This really is down to personal choice. Holetown and Speightstown on the West coast are traditionally the most popular resorts to visit. With the calm, turquoise Caribbean Sea and powder white sand, it offers the perfect setting for relaxing, snorkelling and turtle spotting. The famous Sandy Lane Hotel is located here along the west coast. The East Coast sits on the Atlantic Ocean. Although stunningly beautiful, the current is strong and swimming there is not for the faint-hearted. If you are a surfing enthusiast, east coast Bathsheba is the place to be. Then there is St Lawrence Gap, lovingly referred to as “The Gap”. Known for its fine restaurants and lively nightlife, it’s where various cultures meet and mingle, late into the early hours.

My Favourite Restaurant

Barbados is packed with phenomenal gourmet restaurants with a lot of them frequented by celebrities and the high society. The variety of options is astounding. But I can tell you my favourite in a split second; Zaccios Restaurant in Holetown. Think more beach bar/diner than fine dining and more flip-flop than Jimmy choo but the fresh food, rum punch cocktails and laid-back atmosphere are exactly what Barbados is all about. I couldn’t tell you much about the menu because I never read it. I have the same dish; a flying fish sandwich EVERY SINGLE TIME I go…..and it never ever disappoints. Nor does the view of the sunset for that matter, as the bar literally sits on the beach.

My Top 5 Must-Dos on The Island

Hire a Mini Moke

Before kids, this was our most favourite past time. We’d grab a mini moke and just head off around the island, stopping for a swim when we saw a particularly inviting beach (although they are all picture perfect) or a cold beer when the sun got too much. Nothing quite beats driving around paradise with the warm breeze running through your hair and the remains of salty sand clingy to your skin. You can drive around the whole Island in 3 hours and the difference between the millpond west to the rough rugged East coast is astounding. We still like driving around now, but these days we have a sensible hire car with proper seatbelts and booster seats.

St Oistins Fish Fry

For a truly authentic Bajan experience, don your board shorts and flip flops and head to St Oistins on a Friday night. All the locals, and many tourists gather to eat fresh fish, and the famous macaroni cheese. The fish is grilled or fried to order and it’s delicious. Accompanied by live music, a cold Banks beer and an electric atmosphere it is an evening not to be missed.

Barbados Wildlife Reserve

By far the most quirkiest wildlife reserve I have ever visited. I’ve loved it with, and without kids, it really is a lovely place. The deer, monkeys and tortoises all roam freely around the park and you often have to step over the tortoises as they certainly won’t move for you. Feeding time is particularly fun as they all innately know where and when to go to get the fruit and it becomes somewhat of a race. My Kids still laugh when remembering the monkeys bouncing off tortoise shells to get to the feeding point quicker.

Snorkelling and Turtle Spotting

Glass bottom boats are so much fun, and my young children loved the chance to see the tropical fish and the turtles from the comfort of the boat. If you like swimming and snorkelling though you will have plenty of opportunity to see amazing marine life by simply swimming in the shallow waters from the beach. The turtles are super friendly and tend to stay around the same areas at the same time of day so spotting them (with a little guidance from the locals) couldn’t be easier.

Gospel Sunday Brunch at The Crane Hotel

For a very special treat you should head to the Crane Hotel on the East Coast for their Sunday gospel brunch. The amazing live gospel band play whilst you enjoy a fantastic spread of never-ending breakfast. The omelettes are particularly delicious! There are 2 sittings to choose from, but you definitely need to book in advance as it is very popular. After enjoying far too much food we spent the day relaxing on Crane Beach ….definitely the way to spend a lazy Sunday in paradise!

So, if you haven’t been to Barbados before, I strongly recommend you add it to your travel bucket list to find out exactly what this majestic Island has to offer. I might even see you there as I feel like I’m due a visit any time soon.