Barbados: A melting pot of effervescent and immersive experiences

Exhilarating water sports, beautiful beaches, historic towns, affordable hotels and trendy pop-up restaurants will provide your clients with an unforgettable pre- or post cruise adventure

Barbados is a home porting hub of the Southern Caribbean and more cruise ships are choosing to begin and end their voyages from this beautiful island than ever before. Daily airlift from major source markets and cities makes getting in and out of the island easy and hassle free. Barbados has so much to offer that staying for a few days pre- or post cruise, or both, will add another exhilarating and magical component to a cruise vacation experience…

Covering just 166 square miles, Barbados is packed with more attractions per square mile than any other island in the Caribbean! Whichever corner of the island your customers choose to go, they are destined to find a rich combination of culture, heritage, adventure, shopping, sport, food, activities and hallmark attractions they can access within minutes.

The south coast is every water sports lover’s dream come true. The azure waters along this shoreline are alive with jet skiing, surfing, stand-up paddleboarding, scuba diving and even hydro flying.

Add to this, duty-free shopping, boutiques and restaurants brimming with souvenirs, a variety of local culinary delights and even a local farmer’s market on select days.

After dark, the nightly Oistins Fish Fry is popular with travellers seeking to immerse themselves more deeply into the local culture. This unique open-air market venue is a favourite with locals and visitors alike. An example of the island’s uniquely compact diversity is the proximity of the trendy St Lawrence Gap just minutes from Oistins. The “Gap” is a melting pot of effervescent evening experiences, including exotic and sophisticated waterfront dining and stylish bustling bars plus anything and everything in between.

It’s a short commute from the south coast to the capital Bridgetown and its Garrison, designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Nestled within the historical city are not only elegant 19th century buildings with ornate finishes, but also beautifully maintained symbolic structures of our colonial heritage, including one of the oldest parliament buildings in the western hemisphere, several museums and 17th century historical sites.

Bridgetown is also home to contemporary shopping centres offering duty-free prices on luxurious products.

Perfectly positioned on the south coast of Barbados are the Ocean Hotels, three properties that offer exquisite luxury accommodation without the premium price tag.

Closest to the Bridgetown Cruise Terminal is the recently refurbished South Beach (2016), a stylish boutique hotel where one can choose from spacious junior suites, one and two bedrooms as well as penthouse suites all complete with fully equipped kitchens or kitchenettes, balcony and complimentary wi-fi.

Offering a variety of dining options ranging from local street food to fine dining only a stone’s throw away, South Beach is ideal for guests looking for a trendy base from which to explore Barbados.

Just a short walk from the ever-popular St Lawrence Gap is Ocean Two. This modern and vibrant property offers the rare combination of luxury, fully-equipped accommodation with the amenities and services of a 4.5 star resort. With 95 per cent of the rooms boasting ocean views, guests can choose from hotel rooms, and one or two bedroom suites with fully-equipped kitchens and laundry facilities, each with a well-appointed terrace or balcony.

Listen for the sound of the conch shell signalling three-times daily happy hour and enjoy a rum-spiked coconut on the beach!

For a luxury all-inclusive beach holiday, suitable for couples, families and solo travellers alike, look no further than Sea Breeze Beach House. Newly refurbished (2018), this sought-after property is spread over 2.5 acres of lush tropical gardens and sits proudly on more than 1,000 feet of pristine Caribbean beachfront.

By day, sink into a sumptuous sun lounger with a chilled rum cocktail and by night, sample delectable dishes at a choice of restaurants or the chef’s pop-up dining experiences.

For adventure and exploration, head cross country to the magnificent east coast. The scenic drive inland between sugar cane fields and numerous churches, rum shops and villages will showcase the contrasting topography of the island and explain why it is often referred to as “Little England”. Wild waves, breathtaking beaches and lush tropical landscapes including hiking forests, nature trails, clifftops and botanical gardens endorse the island’s reputation as “Gem of the Caribbean Sea”.

And there is more!  A short drive along the south coast through Bridgetown and across to the west coast’s chic yet historic towns of Holetown and Speightstown will expose an eclectic combination of culture and history set amidst luxury shops, quaint retail villages, beautiful beachscapes, world-class restaurants, trendy bars and lounges. And, this really is just the beginning…

For information on our immersive island experiences and pre- and post cruise packages at the beautiful Ocean Hotels in Barbados check out visitbarbados.org today! oceantwobarbados.com; southbeachbarbados.com; sea-breeze.com.