By George Coyle
Sun, sand and warm hospitality await you in Barbados. The small, tropical island offers a big, friendly welcome along with diverse attractions. In fact, the cuisine and leisure options are as compelling as the famous beaches.
We stayed on the island’s western side, in a villa arranged through Blue Sky Luxury (blueskyluxury.com). This is an option that’s ideal, especially if you plan to visit for a couple of weeks or if you’re travelling with family. Our three-bedroom property had ample living space, a plunge pool and it was conveniently stocked by Trident Wines. The location was ideal, too: just five minutes from the beach. Blue Sky also has a concierge service that can take care of anything and everything for you, from stocking the fridge to booking restaurant reservations.
Another service provider, Blue Isles (blueisles.com), covered our transportation, even fast-tracking us through customs. This ensured a truly relaxed holiday.
There were many captivating things to do, including an outing on the Seaduced II, a 62-foot catamaran from Seaduced Luxury Charters (seaducedbarbados.com). We swam with sea turtles, anchored for lunch on the water and soaked up the adventure.
While in Barbados, a visit to Harrison’s Cave Eco-Adventure Park is also a must, especially if you’re interested in nature and history. The natural wonder was discovered at the end of the 18th century and you can take a tram ride through the limestone cavern that’s home to icicle-like stalactites, streams and waterfalls. The site offers additional eco-adventures and we did the ziplining tour.
St. Nicholas Abbey is another site we visited. The centuries-old plantation offers lots to see and do, including a tour of the on-site Jacobean mansion, a rum experience tour of a sugar mill and distillery and a heritage railway tour through the grounds. If you’re a rum lover, a history buff or a fan of trains, check it out.
Another memorable adventure, for us, was horseback riding with Codrington Riding Stables at the National Botanical Gardens. A professional jockey, plus an assistant, kept us safe, moving and comfortable as we saw the sights on horseback.
The food was another big treat. Dining at a table outside on the ocean’s edge, listening to waves crash, was incredible at The Cliff, a cliff-top venue where the bread cart arrived with over 10 different options.
Paul Owens at the Beach House was another highlight of our trip. You’ll want to try the seafood at this courtyard dining spot with its water fountains, torches and beachy vibe.
Champers Restaurant is another waterside dining place with an attractive setting and food to match. You’ll also want to check out The Lone Star Barbados, a boutique hotel and restaurant where you can dine right on the beach.
The meal we’ll remember most, though, is the one prepared for us, at the villa, by chef Trevon Stoute of tstoute.com. It started with wild hibiscus spritzers, followed by a side of flaming lemons to squeeze into our soup, unbelievable stuffed ravioli and rack of lamb for our main. Dessert was a trio of mini gourmet sweets. It was a special taste of Barbados and a treat you’ll want to enjoy when you visit.
