A Barbados vacation experience is proven to be exceptional. Starting from luxury or cheap flights to Barbados, visitors of this stunning coral island can explore natural wonders like The Baobab Tree, Harrison’s Cave, the Famous Jewish Synagogue and Citrus Paradise. The island has numerous sites of architectural, natural and historical interest.

Scenic Barbados is very accessible from Europe and North America. Matter of fact, there are daily international cheap flights to Barbados. Another option is to take a Caribbean cruise aboard many cruise ships that are either based or just pass through Barbados. For flights, you can travel from Caracas (2 hours and 30 minutes travel time), Brussels (9 hours), London (8 hours), Frankfurt (9 hours), Montreal (5 hours), Miami (3 hours and 40 minutes), Toronto (5 hours), New York (4 hours and 20 minutes) and the shortest travel time is from San Juan (1 hour and 30 minutes).

Tourists who want a piece of Barbados have a lot of travel options. For those who really want to get good but cheap flights to Barbados can go with Jet Blue Airways who has recently incorporated the Island as their newest destination in the Caribbean. Travelers from the John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York can use Jet Blue Airways going to Barbados for a starting rate of only $99.

Jet Blue Airways has truly made traveling to the Caribbean more inexpensive. This airway usually operates for about 76 daily flights to a variety of destinations throughout the Caribbean and Latin America including the remarkable and exciting Barbados Island. They offer travelers the convenience and comfort through their large aircrafts and Airbus A320.

Cricket is another popular sport that you can take part in while visiting Barbados. The national sport of Barbados and the West Indies is cricket. Each year thousands of people arrive in Barbados to watch the world cricket tournaments at the famous Kingston Oval.

There are plenty of opportunities for water sports while visiting Barbados. The beautiful, crystal clear water and beaches will keep you outdoors in the sun for hours, going inside only in the evening as you enjoy some of the find dining experiences unique to Barbados. Some of the water sports available include:

(1) snorkeling among the rocks and reef close to shore, (2) kayaking near the shoreline, (3) water skiing through the calming waters, (4) wind surfing as the wind comes up, (5) sailing in one of the many scenic coves, and (6) boogie boarding for the more adventurous.

If you love to play in the water, you won’t have time to partake of all the water sports available in Barbados unless you plan to take an extended holiday.

The best time of the year to visit Barbados is during February to May when the weather is cooler and drier than at any other time of the year. One thing that you will have to remember is that this time is considered tourist time and will be very busy with tourists from all over the world. This also means that the prices of everything will be higher than at any other time of the year.

There are a number of festivals and events happening in Barbados year- round. The Crop-Over Festival began in colonial times. It lasts for several weeks, starting in July, and celebrates the sugar cane harvest. During February, if you are there, be sure to enjoy the Holetown Festival. This commemorates the arrival of the first English settlers in 1627.

Other festivals and events include the Oistins Fish Festival during Easter and the National Independence Festival of Creative Arts that takes place in November.

When it comes down to the bottom line, it really doesn’t matter when you go to Barbados. It is always beautiful, exciting with lost of activity.

Christ Church – it is located on the south coast of the island. Like St. Micheal you would find major restaurants, bars, hotels as well as tourist attractions. If you come by plane you will land in the parish of Christ Church. The name of our airport is the Grantly Adams International Airport.

There are some great beaches in this parish such as the two most popular one Accra beach and Miami beach.Also in this parish you would find the swimming centre and the Garfield Sobers Gymnasium.When you make your way from the airport you can make a stop in Oistins. Oistins is also a very popular place in this parish because it is known for its nightlife.

St. Philip – it is located on the far east of the island. This parish enjoys the cooling breeze from the trade winds.Some of the major attractions in this parish are Sam Lord’s castle, Sunbury Great House and Bushy Park. If you are not familiar with bushy park it is where rally drivers’ race on a very interesting circuit.From the airport to St. Philip takes on about 1 minute literally speaking and from the Bridgetown port to St. Philip it takes about 25 minutes.

St. Peter – it is located in the west of the island. The main town in St. Peter is called Speightstown and this is the second largest town on the island. Some of the beaches located in St. Peter are Mullins and Heywoods. St. Andrew – This is probably is the most beautiful parishes on the island. What makes it so beautiful is the it is lined with huge rock cliffs which over look the almost the entire east coast.

In this parish you would find the Morgan Lewis Mill, one of the last remaining windmills on the island. In St. Andrew you would also find the Farley Hill National Park where the remains of one of the oldest mansions once stood. Nowadays it is used for special events and it is also a very popular spot for picnics.

St. Joseph – this another parish located on the east coast of Barbados. For persons who just want to get away from everyday life this would be the best place for you to be. Although this parish is would we call the ” real country” it stills has some of the things you would find in town just not as much. There are restaurants, one or two hotels and there are of course the famous rum shops.

It is home to one of the famous beaches in the world Bathsheba and also there is a small tropical rain forest.St. Thomas – this parish is basically in the middle of Barbados and it is the greenest of parishes because it accentuated with natural habitats.Some of the places of interest in this parish are the popular and world renowned Harrison’s Cave, Welchman Hall Gully, Clifton Polo Field etc. St. Lucy – is the most northerly parish on the island. It is relatively flat and has some of the most ridged coast line in Barbados and also in the Caribbean.

Agreement For Sale – This is the first step that occurs after negotiations have come to a close. This agreement is prepared by the seller’s legal representation, signed in duplicate by the buyer and delivered to the sellers representative along with the deposit. The whole package is then sent back to the buyers legal representative and this step is concluded.

Investigation Of Title – Much like any other area, home sales in Barbados have to clear title before the transaction is complete. This search is typically done by the buyers attorney to ensure that the seller has clear and valid title to the property and that there are no encumbrances, liens, or judgments against the property that could affect the smooth transfer of ownership.

Retaining Legal Advice & Council – This is a required step in purchasing property in Barbados. There are several aspects of the purchase or sale process that can only be dealt with by a proper legal representative. There are several areas of concern for first time Barbados buyers such as absence of title insurance, the great amount of unregistered property, and some particular conveyance laws make legal assistance a necessity.

Legal Fees – Legal fees are largely dependent on the value of the home being purchased, as defined by the Barbados Legal Profession Rules, 1997. As well, the minimum scale fee may be adjusted by an attorney to reflect their years of experience and the intricacy of the transaction. There is also a 15% value added tax that is payable upon the attorney’s fees.

Financing – Financing is a different story in Barbados as in-country financing is available only to Barbadian nationals. If you are a non-national who is thinking about buying a property in Barbados, then funding must be secured out-of-country. Essentially all foreign financing must be overseas or arranged through overseas institutions.

Keep in mind that purchasing overseas will be quite different than purchasing a home in your own country. There are different processes and laws that apply to real estate and you should be sure that you understand them all before jumping into a purchase. When considering a home in Barbados it is essential that you get legal representation and tax advice long before you start signing papers.

June to November is the months where you will find the wet Barbados, as these are the possible rainy seasons. But rain rarely lasts for long here and Barbadians will let you know the exact days of overcast here. Usually Barbados weather is mild and pleasant but north of the island generally escapes from the tropical heat due to mild altitude changes. Barbados has got high percentage of humidity but it withered away from the cool Caribbean Sea breeze, which is omnipresent to provide much required respite from the scorching heat.

Despite being hovered by seas all around hurricanes still misses this island, which provide you with placid seas to linger around. Hurricanes usually rise in the African coast and head towards the Caribbean before wavering to the north almost 100 miles from Barbados. Daytime in Barbados is quite hot whereas night is slightly cooler which sets the ideal tone for the sensuous and perfect night. Rainfalls here are very refreshing and are quickly followed with sunny skies, which makes frequent occurrence of rainbow. Tropical rains are marvelous here but they are quickly drained off in to the underground lakes due to the porous island.

Barbados’ Eastern and Western coasts are very distinct – the Eastern coast (Atlantic side) is ruggedly beautiful, but less developed. The Caribbean Western coast, on the other hand, is very developed with lots of hotels and resorts. Its coastline, however, remains very attractive. The calm and clear sea, to which water sports come almost naturally, is a visitors’ delight. The sight of the warm Caribbean water teaming up with colorful fishes swimming across vibrant coral reefs is almost a feast to the eyes. Must sees in Barbados are the famous underwater caves, sugarcane factories, lush tropical gardens and rum distilleries/ plantation houses.

Barbados beaches are just perfect for all forms of water sports. So if you are very keen on them, there are plentiful vacation packages for you to choose from, such as golfing holidays, fishing day trips or even fishing holidays. You can also go windsurfing, kite surfing, skiing, etc among many other sports. If you like horse riding, you will find spending a day at the historic Garrison Savannah racecourse delightful. You may even take a horse for a memorable ride on the golden beaches. The whole family will enjoy the thrill of a submarine trip, or maybe a helicopter ride to see the island from above! A safari trip is also a wonderful way to enjoy the natural beauty of Barbados. And after a day of Caribbean adventure you can always return to the peace and relaxation of your resort!

There are many family-friendly resorts which offer reduced rates for children, and many also include special children’s activities, so that Dad and Mom can have some time to themselves to enjoy the marvelous Barbados, knowing the children are safe and having fun. Babysitting services can also be arranged at several resorts. Barbados offers a wide range of family vacation activities, resorts and packages, making the island a great location for a family vacation.

Make the most of the beautiful surroundings by spending your days lazing on the beach and swimming in the blissfully warm water – or check out the south coast if you’re into surfing, where the slightly rougher seas account for the fact that Spring Break Barbados is the surfing capital of the Caribbean. Surfing is a big hit here, along with a variety of other water-sports that will make sure your days are filled with action and fun!

If you prefer to stay dry, there’s lots of sightseeing to be done in Barbados, which is a thriving tourist hotspot with no shortage of things to see and do. Even just wandering through the streets and shops can be a fun experience, with plenty of street vendors to haggle with, and let’s not forget the duty free shopping! Pick up some bargains and treat yourself.

There are also loads of entertainment choices in Barbados during Spring Break. Local bars are great for hanging out with friends and shooting some pool or taking in a sports game on plasma screens. Nightclubs are plentiful and full of tourists and locals alike – packed with young people who want to let their hair down and have some fun! You can dance the night away at many Barbados clubs, as they stay open almost till dawn – perfect for the Spring Break crowd who just don’t want to stop. There are also casinos for the thrill-seekers, which stay open almost 24 hours a day, and not to mention the many, many smaller bars and entertainment venues where you can take in a show, see a live band, or just mingle with the friendly natives.

Spring Break in Barbados will be full of fun and sun – thousands of American and Canadian college students can’t be wrong!

History

Evidence will show that the first indigenous settlers were the Arawaks, who lived seemingly peacefully on the island for many years. They were recorded to be particularly good at practising agricultural techniques that included growing corn and cotton. They had designed and created advanced tools of their own to aid them with the agricultural farming and for fishing.

The Arawaks were believed to have been the settlers of Barbados until 1200 AD, when the seemingly violent and aggressive Carib groups had almost wiped out the Arawak settlers. The Spanish and Portuguese had then entered into the country, with the Spanish deciding not to settle in Barbados. The Portuguese colonized the island in the 16th century, with these settlers cam the name of Los Barbados meaning ‘bearded one’ on account of the fig trees that would grow on the island.

The English would not follow suit in the colonization until 1625, in which they claimed the land as their own in the name of King Kames I. Two years later settlers were brought in to the land, with the worlds third parliamentary democracy formed. 80 settlers and 10 slaves were brought to the island, with many of the settlers being rich and wealthy.

It was not long before the Dutch had introduced the sugar cane, and very quickly, the crop became the main sources of making money. This also included cotton and tobacco crops. The island became the place, which would dominate the sugar industry until around 1720. This was also the period in which slaves from West Africa were introduced to the island to work along on the crops and fields.

The end of slavery came about around 1834 whereby some had decided to continue working on the crops. However, 1838 saw their freedom become imminent, and many of the Bajan (Barbadian) people began taking on high roles and filled high ranking jobs on the island.

The quality of life reduced dramatically on the island during the period of the Great Depression. Jobs were lost and rioting had developed amongst the people in the streets, the sugar industry was thriving up until this point and the English had stepping to fund the island keeping it as it was. However it was evident that the people of Barbados wanted to take control of their island, and so independence was granted in 1966.

Today

Tourism became a lucrative business in the Barbados resorts, with its diverse history and many different cultural influences this has become one of the most popular destinations to visit. The island exhibits a rich British culture, with cricket being its main sport. The people are religious and resemble an Anglican culture, and surrounded by Georgian and Victorian housing.

The African slave had helped in building the foundation for the sugar plantations, with many of the African people having built some of the first chattel houses to move from one plantation to another. Other lasting impressions of the African culture are in their art, crafts, food and music of Barbados.

As well as being an oasis for tourists, it is also one for those seeking property in Barbados, as well as residents. Barbados houses, apartments and villas have a high quality design and there are a number luxury residential resorts around Barbados. Properties are popular for many stars from the US and the UK who have bought luxury Barbados villas here and have stayed in the country over many years.

Due to high demand for Barbados properties, since 2004 there have been many more built; Many more people want to live in Barbados from across the globe and in particular from countries such as Canada and the UK. Barbados holds a high quality perception with property buyers, and this has inevitably attracted new residents and buy-to-let investors to take advantage of the tourist demand.

In Barbados, properties can vary in price and size. Luxury Barbados villas can cost up to £5 million sterling, however a one-bedroom Barbados apartment can cost from as little as £50,000, so there is a wide range to suit potential buyers looking for property for sale in Barbados.

When thinking about buying property in Barbados, purchasers should consider that the cost to purchase property is about 2 percent of the value of the property.

Barbados has a solid reputation in the overseas property market and property in Barbados continues to sell, although the market has slowed somewhat with the global economic slowdown. This inevitably means there will also be good value Barbados property for sale, combined with the leverage in making deals when buying properties in Barbados. Barbados apartments, houses and villas have good quality design and finish and there are many resorts across the country.

Those buying properties in Barbados to let to tourists may be able to yield an average annual rental income of five percent. Investors, should also focus on achieving capital growth with their Barbados property in order to gain a maximum return on investment over time.

Hiking on a brown sugar coloured crunchy sandy east coast beach, one can explore the sandy shoreline, and may discover “sea coconuts”, “lucky seeds”, a washed up Portuguese Man of War, just to mention a few likely findings. Venturing inland, there are different walking surfaces, namely grassy uphill footpaths, and rugged sandy clay trails. One continues to climb to a height of 167m (547 feet), to reach the very breezy lookout point, that offers a wide sweeping panoramic view of fifteen per cent of the island.

Descending from this lookout point along more rugged footpaths, which give way to paved roads one enters a typical Barbadian village. A village of timber chattel houses, concrete houses, at least five small churches, in this small community, and of course not forgetting the rum shops, surprisingly only two serve this village. Visit a village resident who is an accomplished potter and is a descendant of potters going back 200 years.

These hills of the Scotland District, are a fusion of sand stone, clays, and alluvial muds. This part of the island actually looks like another country, compared to the other eighty five per cent of the land mass. In fact geologists refer to this Scotland District as Ancestral Barbados, and it is really the material of another country, that is three hundred miles south of Barbados. Out of this, apparently inconsequential material, Barbados was formed, rising like a sphinx out of the Atlantic Ocean, just two million years ago.

Learn about Manjak, its various uses as you visit what is left of this mine. Manjak is a type of hydrocarbon that was utilized as a fuel in the furnaces of the local trains, it was also exported to be used as a main ingredient in the manufacture of black paint, as well as in the production of the the earliest, but brittle, 33 1/3 vinyl music records.

On a Barbados hiking vacation one may visit a national park, the location of the ruins of a historic Great House, and by way of cart roads a wild life reserve. An outstanding, highlight, is a heritage site, a 355 year old Jacobian styled plantation great house, chock full of history, stories of greed and murder to name but a few. It’s a functioning sugar plantation, with a fully refurbished and working 19th century steam mill used for extracting sugar cane juice. Just last year 2008 this old plantation won an international award for its very fine rum, it’s outstanding stories continue.

In this area there are cozy country villages, a very scenic lookout point that offers a majestic view of the Scotland District. a two hundred year old sugar wind mill, which operates during the local sugar harvest season, effectively demonstrating how sugar cane juice was extracted using wind power. There is also an interesting goat farmer, who is a popular newspaper columnist, and a musician in a local music band, outstanding personality in his own right.

There are down hill trails for those who do not want to engage up hill terrain, as well as trails that are flat coastal, rugged and scenic. Barbados offers trails leading between sugar cane fields, and into gullies (also known as ravines) with rock formations such as stalactites, stalagmites, columns, and flow stone.

A hiking vacation on tropical Barbados, is rewarding in so many ways, healthy fresh air, and exercise, with vitamin D from the sunshine, a welcomed relaxing change of pace, as you discover a new land and it’s people. Being out in the natural environment, is relaxing, and has proven to be therapeutic for spirit soul and body. A healthy and rejuvenating way to spend a vacation.