THE WINDWARD ISLANDS, “MAGNIFICENT CARIBBEAN”

DOMINICA, “NATURE ISLE OF THE CARIBBEAN”

BY CLAY LARROY

The preparation for a vacation is almost as exhilarating as the vacation itself. I love printing out the tickets and confirmations while thinking about how much fun I will have on vacation. I think that some of the best destinations in the world are located in the Caribbean. So I am continuing my tour across around the Caribbean Islands. When you want to plan a vacation contact me!

Things to see and do in Dominica

Black sand beaches

Striking black sand beaches lie along Dominica's east coast and sections of the island's west coast. While these dark strips of coastline may not be as inviting to sunbathers as the gleaming golden stretches also found on the island, they are without doubt a dramatic sight to behold.

Boiling Lake

The Morne Trois Pitons National Park is home to the Boiling Lake: a steaming basin of bubbling liquid found at an altitude of 2,500ft (762m). It can only be reached by foot, and it is highly recommended that anyone undertaking the 7-mile journey from Laudat is accompanied by a guide.

Botanical Gardens

Roseau's well-maintained botanic gardens provide a green escape in the busy city. The grounds have been battered by several hard-hitting tropical storms, such as 1979's hurricane David which brought much devastation; a bus which was crushed by a tree in the hurricane remains as a powerful reminder.

Carnival colours

With February comes Carnival season (Mas Dominik): two weeks of celebrations culminating in a wild, colourful costumed parade. Revel in dazzling sequins, feather-topped masks and glitzy-ritzy skimpy dresses; watch street jugglers, prancing musicians and marching drummers amidst cheering crowds of merrymakers.

Central Forest Reserve

This beautiful reserve is home to a vast population of gommier trees whose wood has provided building and craft material to the Carib peoples for hundreds of years; drive through the reserve and enjoy the surrounding greenery, lakes and rivers.

Emerald Pool

Waters appear glimmering green in the leafy light as the cascading waterfall crashes into the deep pool below; this is one of the most popular points in the Morne Trois Pitons National Park.

Explore Roseau

Explore Dominica's capital, boasting friendly locals and sea views. Join in the hubbub of downtown and then relax in the Botanical Gardens.

Go swimming

Dominica's beaches vary in quality, but there are many seaside spots perfect for diving beneath the waves. If salty sea water isn't your bag, head to the Layou on the west coast for a freshwater dip.

Hike in Morne Trois Pitons National Park

Stretch your legs amid the lush greenery, towering trees and exotic foliage found along the Morne Trois Pitons National Park's hiking trails.

Jeep safari tour

Explore the hinterland's hidden reaches by a jeep safari tour and experience a tranquil contrast to bustling Roseau. Scour forests for bird-life and marvel at vibrant tropical blooms nestled amongst rock crevices and moss-covered patchy scrub.

L'Escalier Tête-chien

L'Escalier Tête Chien (which in French Creole means Stairway of the snakes head) is an impressive rock formation jutting out into the Atlantic, and is found in the South of the Carib territory.

Soufriere Sulphur Springs

See this otherworldly landscape, largely absent of plant life owing to the sulphuric fumes and gushes of hot water. A pool has been built at the bottom of the valley for bathers eager to bath in the warm waters.

Trafalgar Falls

Dominica's most popular waterfalls are incredibly beautiful and many flock to see the waters tumbling down the rocks. After heavy rains the waters can get pretty powerful and the rocks dangerously slippery, so take care if you decide to take a dip.

Visit Cabrits Historical Park

On the Cabrits Peninsula find the fine ruins of Fort Shirley and Fort George dating back to the 18th century. Visit the small museum near the entrance which features collections of artifacts discovered on the site, and explore the jungle-lined hiking trails around the area.

Visit Carib Indian Territory

Discover the indigenous lands of Carib Indian Territory, home to the only remaining Carib community in the Caribbean. Still renowned for their canoe-building skills, the Caribs' long, pointed vessels are hewn from a single trunk of a gommier tree. Visitors may be able to witness a craftsman at work using age-old traditional carving tools. Visit the traditinoa village of Kalinago Barana Aute (www.kalinagobaranaaute.com) for traditional arts and crafts.

Watersports

The clear warm Dominican waters are perfect for scuba-diving and snorkeling, especially in the popular water-sports area of Soufrière where dramatic volcanic cliffs tumble into the sea. Visibility is usually up to 80m (263ft) with some of the best, lesser-known snorkeling spots reached by kayaking along the coast.

Whale watching

The waters surrounding Dominica are teeming with impressive wildlife, and they are especially renowned for their prime whale watching; sperm whales, pilot whales and pygmy whales all glide around the Dominican coast, as do Atlantic and spotted dolphins.

 REFERENCE SITES

http://www.travelresearchonline.com/

“An ocean breeze puts a mind at ease.” 

– Unknown

Travel  and create wonderful memories for your family!

THE WINDWARD ISLANDS, “MAGNIFICENT CARIBBEAN”

GRENADA, “THE SPICE ISLE”

By Clay Larroy

We lead such busy lives working, going to school, taking children to different activities that often we do not stop and talk to our children. We usually do not have time to sit around the dinner table and ask our children what they did today. Family vacations are so important, as it gives us a way to connect with each other in a stress free relaxed environment. Families that take vacations together build memories that will last a lifetime. Family vacations and travel can be a most rewarding experience especially in the Caribbean.  When you are ready to plan a vacation contact me!

Things to see and do in Grenada

Bask at the beach

One of the island's best beaches is at Grand Anse; another is at Levera Bay near the island's northern tip. The beaches on neighboring Morne Rouge are stunning, as are the deserted beaches on the southern coast. Levera Bay is a favorite surfing spot.

Carriacou Museum

Discover the islands' history at the Carriacou Museum in Hillsborough, where there's an impressive collection of Amerindian artefacts and mementoes dating back to 18th century when the islands were occupied by the French and British.

Diving

Grand Anse beach is the starting point for diving trips to nearby reefs and islands. One of the best dive sites is Molinière Reef, about 5km (3 miles) from St George's. Carriacou, in the Grenadines offers excellent diving. Keen snorkelers should head to White Island Marine Park and Martin's Bay, close to Grand Anse.

Ecology days out

See Grenada's oyster beds, reached along a trail from Tyrrel Bay, followed by a short boat ride to the middle of one of the most pristine ecosystems in the region. La Sagesse Nature Reserve, in the south, is a protected bird sanctuary with rivers, mangroves and salt lakes.

Enjoy Caribbean rum

Discover how rum is made on a guided tour of one of the island's main rum distilleries. At the Grenada Sugar Factory in St George (www.clarkescourtrum.com), guided tours include a tasting and opportunity to purchase its rum products.

Fun runs

Make sure you're on Grenada on a Saturday, to watch the fortnightly event called hashing (www.grenadahash.com). Participants meet at a designated rum shop, run around the island following a trail of flour or paper and after about two hours return to the rum shop to undo all the good exercise

Hiking in Grand Etang

Grand Etang National Park and Forest Reserve contains numerous marked trails, with gentle half-hour walks or expeditions of several hours. The park contains a wealth of interesting flora and fauna, and there are spectacular flower displays depending on the season.

Join the carnival

August is carnival time on Grenada and everyone is welcome to join in. It's a riot of colour and fun, with lively street parties, street theatre, steel bands and calypso competitions that all go on well into the early hours of the morning.

Lucky springs

The River Sallee's boiling sulphur springs can be seen bubbling in a number of holes north of Lake Antoine in the northeast of the island, leaving orange and yellow hues on the surrounding landscape. They are of spiritual importance for various religious sects and a natural wishing well. Don't forget to throw in a coin before you leave.

Sailing

Yacht races and regattas are held throughout the year on Grenada. The Sailing Festival in February (www.grenadasailingfestival.com) is the biggest and attracts yachtsmen from all over the world. The sailing regatta in Tyrell Bay on Carriacou is also popular. The Grenadine islands are a popular sailing destination.

Spice tours

While on the spice island, don't miss a visit to Gouyave Nutmeg Processing Station, the largest nutmeg processing factory on the island. The Dougaldston Estate is a traditional plantation in the center of the nutmeg and cocoa growing region. Most of the traditional spice factories offer tours of the grounds.

Waterfalls

Grenada's most spectacular waterfalls are the 15m (50ft) Annandale Falls and Mount Carmel Waterfall, which has two falls cascading over 21m (70ft) to clear pools below. You can swim in several of the islands' rainforest pools and lakes, many of which are formed by waterfalls, such as the Concord Falls.

REFERENCE SITES

http://www.travelresearchonline.com

“My life is like a stroll upon the beach, as near to the ocean’s edge as I can go.” 

– Henry David Thoreau

                        Live life and travel often, the more you travel, the more memories you create!

THE WINDWARD ISLANDS, “MAGNIFICENT CARIBBEAN”

GRENADA, “THE SPICE ISLE”

 By Clay Larroy

The preparation for a vacation is almost as exhilarating as the vacation itself. I love printing out the tickets and confirmations while thinking about how much fun I will have on vacation. I think that some of the best destinations in the world are located in the Caribbean. So I am continuing my tour across around the Caribbean Islands. When you want to plan a vacation contact me!

A mountainous and volcanic landscape gives Grenada one of the loveliest environments in the Caribbean, with crater lakes, rainforests and coastal mangrove plantations giving way to white sand beaches, and brilliant blue waters filled with coral reefs. Grenada is known as the 'Spice Island' - and with good reason. Nutmeg, cloves, cinnamon, ginger and vanilla are just a few of the scented gems found here. When it comes to food, Grenadian's like it particularly hot and spicy. Pepper pot is a favorite - meat cooked with lots of pepper, garlic and onions. As well as fragrant spices, music is also an important part of life on Grenada, and the calypso tunes dancing over the island serve to evoke Grenada's African origins.

Getting around in Grenada

Getting Around By Air

Lauriston Airport (CRU) in Carriacou is serviced daily by the main regional carrier St Vincent Grenadines Air (SVD) (www.svgair.com). Flights are from Grenada and St Vincent. The airport accommodates light aircraft only. To/from the airport: There are no buses; taxis can be called. Facilities: Washroom and waiting room only.

Road Quality

Most main roads are in good condition but they are narrow and winding.

Car Hire

Car hire: Vehicles are available to hire in St George's, Grand Anse or St Andrew's from local car rental firms. Credit cards are not always accepted by car hire companies. Some rental companies impose a minimum age of 21. Speed limits are not posted; speed is dictated by the state of the road - most are narrow and winding. Car hire firms will provide details of what to do if you break down. Some firms have a minimum rental period of three days during peak periods.

Taxi

Taxi: Taxis are the most efficient means of transport. They are available from the airport, the Carenage and most hotels. Mandoo's Taxi Service is a fully insured sightseeing and taxi service, recommended by the Board of Tourism (see Contact Addresses).

Documentation

Documentation: A temporary local driving license is required and available for a fee from the traffic department at the central police station on Carenage or from most car hire companies, on presentation of a valid driving license. An International Driving Permit is recommended, although it is not legally required.

Getting Around By Water

Main ports: Colourful motor boats operate a water-taxi service between Grand Anse Beac and St George's. There is a high-speed ferry service from the Carenage, Grenada to Carriacou. There is also a daily ferry service from Grenada to Carriacou, Petite Martinique and back. A large number of yachts and boats are available to charter. Arrangements can be made via the Grenada Board of Tourism.

REFERENCE SITES

http://www.travelresearchonline.com

http://www.grenadagrenadines.com/

“The ocean stirs the heart, inspires the imagination and brings eternal joy to the soul.“ – Robert Wyland 

Enjoy and travel to create great family memories!

THE WINDWARD ISLANDS, “MAGNIFICENT CARIBBEAN”

CANOUAN ISLAND," AMAZINGLY SPECTACULAR"

BY CLAY LARROY

Travel is so much more that simply hopping on a flight to a new destination. If you plan it correctly, it could be a thrilling time you'll never forget. Planning a trip is fun as there are tons of things to do and see. Do you know how to plan a trip effectively? To help you sort out the options, check out the tip below.

Packing light is key to making your travels as easy and free of stress as possible. Bring one carryon bag that includes everything you need, not necessarily everything you want. Your smart packing will pay off when you are happily carrying one bag around on vacation instead of lugging around multiple bags around the Caribbean. When you want to plan a vacation contact me!

Unspoiled and virtually undiscovered, Canouan is one of the Caribbean's most up and coming luxury destinations. Located in the heart of the Grenadines, less than 20 miles south of Mustique and 110 miles west of Barbados, the 3 square-mile island is surrounded by small bays and coves, secluded white sand beaches and one of the Caribbean's largest coral reefs, offering incredible diving and snorkeling. Home to the award winning Canouan Resort and The Tamarind Beach Hotel.

A short distance from the Tobago Cay's in the southern Caribbean, Canouan's enviable location also provides some of the best sailing in the world. The Canouan Resort, Canouan Island blends European luxury with Caribbean casual elegance. Along with 3 beaches, the resort features one of the largest freshwater pools in the Caribbean at 12,900 square feet, where guests are treated to mineral water and chilled towels to keep them cool. Little ones splash in the children's pool. 4 restaurants, 4 tennis courts, a fitness center, a luxury spa, and The Grenadines Estate Golf Club are on site.

Activities

A full range of activities, based around Canouan's miles of white sand and clear water, is available for the sports orientated guests.

Sunfish, snorkel gear, wind surfers, and Hydro - bikes and paddle boats are available on a complementary basis, whilst scuba diving and sailing trips can be arranged. Grenadines base of the world famous yachting company The Moorings.

Canouan Dive Center

Canouan Dive Center offers scuba diving for all levels of experience, from complete beginner to the very experienced. They are located on the leeward side of the island next to The Tamarind Beach Hotel just a 5 minute ride away by a Canouan Resort vehicle. Canouan Dive Center offers a very flexible schedule which can be tailored to suit your requirements whether it’s a two-tank dive in the morning or an adventure after the sun sets.

The maximum number of divers on any one dive is six which gives everyone a good opportunity to make new friends and really enjoy the wonderful dive sites without being crowded.

Prices, bookings and full dive information available directly from Canouan Dive Center on Email:
info@canouandivecenter.com

REFERENCE SITES
http://www.canouanisland.com/
http://www.canouan.com/island.asp

To travel is to discover that everyone is wrong about other countries.

Aldous Huxley

Live a Better Life Travel Often!

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THE WINDWARD ISLANDS, “MAGNIFICENT CARIBBEAN”

CARRIACOU, "LAND OF REEFS"

BY CLAY LARROY

A vacation can soothe the soul and leave you renewed, refreshed, and invigorated. Whether you are just now starting to plan your next vacation, or are merely looking for travel ideas and suggestions, read all the articles about the Caribbean. So take away some of the stress of making travel plans, and get started thinking about the fun and relaxing times you will soon be having on your next trip! When you are ready to plan an exciting vacation contact me!

 

Carriacou boast the most beautiful coral reefs. Carriacou is known as the ‘Land of Reefs’, with shallow clear waters: ideal for snorkelling. Occupants of the island are independent and fiercely traditional. On Carriacou – home to 6,000 people – the musical customs of their African descendants can be experienced at the Carriacou Maroon and String Band Music Festival held in the month of April. 

Things to do

Paradise Beach – Paradise Beach is it!! It is worth a day trip or a couple nights away to look at what the Caribbean really still is.!!!!

Sandy Island – Take a boat from the Paradise Beach bar {Hardwood} out to Sandy Island. You can depend on them to come back and get you. It’s a great snorkel and a beautiful private beach.

Hardwood Bar & The T-Shirt Shop – These two alone are worth the trip, {also on Paradise Beach}.

Island Tour – Take a ride around the island and return on the afternoon ferry!

Brian’s – Brian’s in Hillsborough serves a good pizza for lunch!

Main Street Deli – The Deli on Main Street is a great find. If you are staying on Carriacou, you need to stop in here. The other grocer’s in Hillsborough are extremely helpful, you may need to stop at a few places to find what you need, but they have plenty.

                                                  

REFERENCE SITES

http://www.grenadagrenadines.com/about-the-islands/discover-carriacou/

http://www.grenada-beaches.com/carriacou/6-fun-things-to-do-in-carriacou/

“B.E.A.C.H.: Best Escape Anyone Can Have.“ 

 Unknown

Enjoy life and travel often, the more you travel, the more memories you create!

THE WINDWARD ISLANDS, “MAGNIFICENT CARIBBEAN”

BARBADOS IS "BIM"


BY CLAY LARROY

Across the America many couples are having wonderful wedding after months of planning. The bride and groom will need a honeymoon to rest and recuperate.  Vacations are so important, as it gives us a way to connect with each other in a stress free relaxed environment. Couples that take vacations together build memories that will last a lifetime. Couples vacations and travel can be a most rewarding experience especially in the Caribbean. When you want to plan a vacation contact me!

Fringed by talcum powder-white beaches and azure seas, Barbados fulfils the clichéd image of a tropical Caribbean isle, but peel back the exterior and the island offers far more than a mere beach holiday destination.

Endowed with 113km (70 miles) of beaches, however, first time visitors can be forgiven for heading straight for the sand and surf. Most tourists flock to the island’s legendary Platinum Coast to the west, which is lined with world-class, luxury resorts, spa hotels, sophisticated restaurants and manicured golf courses, all lapped by the limpid Caribbean Sea. The south coast has some of the best beaches while the east coast, pummelled by the Altantic Ocean, is less developed and attracts mainly surfers.

Although Barbados’s interior is unremarkable compared to its Caribbean neighbours, a jeep safari provides the best way to discover crumbling sugar mills, historic plantation houses, traditional churches reminiscent of England and colonial Bridgetown. The capital, and the nearby Garrison site, were granted UNESCO World Heritage status in 2012.

Combine this with Barbados’s indelible laid-back vibe, its passion for rum (over 1,500 rum shops dot the island) and calypso-infused festivals, and it’s no wonder people return here time and time again.

Shopping & Nightlife in Barbados

Shopping in Barbados offers a varied experience. As a duty-free island, prices are typically 30 to 50 per cent less than in Europe and North America. Shoppers must have their airline or passport ticket when purchasing duty free goods. Most of the duty free shops and large, western-style shopping malls offering high quality goods and excellent service are found along Broad Street in Bridgetown. Here you can buy everything from designer clothing to gold and silver jewellery.

Popular souvenirs include local handicrafts, such as straw bags, batiks, paintings, rum and woodwork. Speciality craft and gift shops can be found in Pelican Village, outside Bridgetown, as well as Holetown, Speighstown and St Lawrence Gap. The Crane Village on the south-east coast is the latest upmarket shopping destination, which includes duty-free shops.

Opening Hours

Mon-Fri 0900-1700, Sat 0900-1300 or 1400. Some stores are open until 1800 or 2100 on weekdays and until 1530 on Saturdays.

Nightlife

Bajans love to party with nightlife options in Barbados ranging from clubs, beach bars and pubs to rum shops, dinner shows and twilight boat cruises. Music ranges fom calypso and reggae to the latest R'n'B. 

Most of the main nightlife spots are concentrated around the south and west coasts. St Lawrence Gap is the liveliest nightlife spot on the islands; it's a one-street affair lined with smart pubs, clubs and bars. If you want to party with the locals, head to Oistins Fish Market on a Friday or Saturday night, where Bajans dance to the early hours in the open air with music ranging from country and western to the latest calypso.

REFERENCE SITES:

http://www.travelresearchonline.com/blog/index.php/destination-guides/

“Word has traveled quickly that just because you're on island doesn't mean you have to be stranded---as long as you have cash.”

― Doug Cooper

Enjoy life and travel often, the more you travel, the more memories you create!

THE WINDWARD ISLANDS, “MAGNIFICENT CARIBBEAN”

BARBADOS IS "BIM"

BY CLAY LARROY

Traveling is the kind of activity, which almost all the people love. For someone it is an opportunity to relax and abstract from everyday busy life. For others it is interesting to observe the way people of other cultures and mentality live. Some people consider it to be the best way to have fun and always try to visit as many clubs, pubs, restaurants and cafes as possible for their wallets and time limits. When you want to plan a vacation contact me!

Things to see and do in Barbados

Bridgetown

Barbados’s capital Bridgetown – named after a crude bridge constructed by early Indian settlers - is the best place to enjoy the island’s colonial history.

Visit National Heroes Square, which boasts a statue of Lord Nelson, which was erected in 1813, well before Nelson's Column was put up in London. Nearby are the neogothic Parliament Buildings, Bridgetown Synagogue (reputed to the oldest in the western hemisphere) and the pretty, pink pastel coloured facades of DaCosta’s Mall. When you tire of sightseeing, pop into one of the ubiquitous rum shops or head for a drink at the Waterfront area overlooking the marina.

Chalky Mount Potteries

Barbados's famous Chalky Mount potters are renowned for their high-quality inexpensive art. You can watch the local potters at work at the wheel fashioning centuries-old designs - a respected 300-year-old tradition.

Colonial architecture

The Jacobean St Nicholas Abbey is graced with ornate Persian arches and well-kept gardens. Although now in ruins, Farley Hill is still covered in hibiscus and poinsettias and is one of the island's most storied plantation houses. The George Washington House and Museum is a beautifully restored plantation house, where the former US president stayed on a brief visit to Barbados in 1751.

Meanwhile, Tyrol Cot, the grand former home of Sir Grantley Adams, the first premier of Barbados, is a stunning example of local architectural styles. Constructed in 1854, this architectural gem characterizes an interesting mixture of Palladian and tropical vernacular - beautifully restored by the Barbados National Trust.

Crane Beach

The baby-pink sands of cliff-flanked Crane Beach, an idyllic spot that is one of the most beautiful on the island, are perfect for a stroll. Moderate, foamy waves draw a body-surfing crowd and there are plenty of shaded spots to chill out until the magical sunsets arrive.

Cricket

Cricket is the national sporting obsession, with Barbados hosting the World Twenty20 finals in 2010 at the newly expanded Kensington Oval pitch near Bridgetown.

Choose from barefoot village friendlies to international and local club cups - where many of the great names of West Indian cricket are honoured, most notably Sir Garfield Sobers.

Discover ship wrecks in Carlisle Bay

The island has about 30 dive sites, mainly on the calmer west coast. While there are less pelagic fish off Barbados because of unregulated fishing, divers can enjoy a range of marine life including hawksbill turtles, sea horses, frog fish and giant sand eels.

Barbados has several excellent sites for wreck diving; Carlisle Bay, which has more than 200 reported wrecks, and the Stavronikita, a ship which rests in 37m (120ft) of water, less than 1.6 km (1 mile) from the shore at Folkestone Marine Park.

East Coast Road

Barbados's East Coast Road, hemmed by crashing Atlantic waves, is one of the island's most exciting drives. A rugged coastal route overlooks treacherous reefs while an inland road weaves through rolling sugarcane to quaint plantation towns topped by church steeples. One of the most popular destinations on the east coast is Bathsheba, where giant coral boulders, which have broken away from ancient coral reefs over thousands of years, offer striking photograph opportunities. Bathsheba is also the location for the legendary Soup Bowl surfing competition.

Fishing

Wahoo, dorado, barracuda, tuna and sailfish, together with mighty blue marlin and shark, all patrol Barbados's deep sea waters. There are plenty of game fishing tournaments and inshore competitions to join or just grab a rod and head to the jetty.

Get close to nature in Welchman Hall Gully's

You can also take a self-guided hike amid rare fruit and spice trees in Welchman Hall Gully's magnificent botanic garden (www.welchmanhallgullybarbados.com) or in Andromeda Gardens (http://andromeda.cavehill.uwi.edu). Another highlight is the Flower Forest (www.barbados.org/flowfrst.htm), a 20-hectare (50-acre) leafy garden rich in native plants.

The Barbados National Trust (www.hikebarbados.com) offers free guided hikes, which last around three hours and cover distances of 8 to 22km (5 to 14 miles). They are divided into three categories: stop'n'stare, where'n'there and grin'n'bear. Moonlit walks are also held.

Harrison’s Cave

With an abundance of stalactites, stalagmites, streams, lakes and waterfalls, Harrison’s Cave is a jaw-dropping spectacle. The caves, in the parish of St. Thomas, were first mentioned in historical documents in 1795 and then virtually forgotten for nearly 200 years, until being rediscovered in 1976.

In 1981, Harrison's Cave was opened to the public. Visitors can enjoy a scenic trail from the clifftop to the valley floor, before entering the caves on a 40-minute journey in an electric cart led by guides. Self-guides walks are also possible.

Horse riding

It's possible to gallop along the beach at sundown or simply trek along inland trails. Over two-dozen horse-riding events take place on the Garrison Savannah. Polo is also played to a high level by fiercely competitive Barbadian teams.

Morgan Lewis Mill

The aged and charming Morgan Lewis Mill is one of only two of the Caribbean's intact sugar mills, and a noteworthy example of a Dutch windmill from the days of the sugar cane planters. The mill includes an exhibit of the equipment used to produce sugar. Although the old plantation house has seen better days, its crumbling exteriors are very evocative and an important legacy of the island's history.

Scuba diving

Barbados's rainbow of coral reefs offers a pristine watery home to seahorses, sponges and giant sand eels. Hidden caves and shipwrecks provide plenty of underwater nooks and crannies along a shoreline nested by Hawksbill Turtles.

Taste the oldest rum in the world

Mount Gay Rum (www.mountgay.com), on the island's west coast, can trace its heritage back to 1703, making it the world’s oldest rum producer. Made from the sugar cane that thrived across the island, Barbados was once the favoured tipple of English sailors.

Visitors can learn about the refining, aging, blending and bottling process on tastings and tours, which run hourly between Monday-Saturday.

The Barbados Wildlife Reserve

The Barbados Wildlife Reserve's resplendent mahogany forest is the roaming territory of green monkeys, tortoises, deer, raccoons, pelicans and otters. A walk-through aviary allows a leafy stroll with peacocks, turkeys, toucans, parrots, flamingoes, pelicans, lovebirds and macaws.

Viewpoints

Lofty Mount Hillaby, the island's highest point at 343m (1,125ft), offers incredible panoramas across the east, west and northern coasts. Dramatic vistas also abound from St John's Parish Church over miles of jagged coastline and moss-covered family vaults dotted with tropical flora.

Watersports

The island's rugged south and west coasts boast world-class watersports where windsurfers, jet skiers, parasailers and water skiers enjoy perfect conditions. To ride the waves head to the Soup Bowl, South Point and Rockley Beach, Barbados's surfing mecca.

Whizz through the rainforest at Walkes Spring

Aerial Trek Zipline Adventures (www.aerialtrek.com) offers soft adventure thrills as you whizz through the rainforest at Jack-in-the-box Gully, Walkes Spring, in the centre of the island. The scenic ride began operations in 2007 and is proving popular. Advance bookings are recommended.

 REFERENCE SITES:

http://www.travelresearchonline.com/blog/index.php/destination-guides/

“Paradise” is a suffering word, grossly overused and ineptly devalued in everyday hype and blurb. Yet, tired as it is, it will have to do. Nothing else conveys that sense of place that can inspire a blissful contentment.”

― Andrew Rayner

Travel to create marvelous memories for you and your family or friends!