Because we could all use a glass of Barbados’ finest right about now and we’re committed to bringing you a taste of Barbados. Sharing with you our famous rum punch recipe to try out no matter where you are.
A favorite to many seeking a Barbados vacation escape, we hope that you can find peace within, whether you’re inside or outside. Stay healthy and keep moving with one of our favorite yogis Bawa Yoga. Follow her on Instagram @bawayoga. Barbados will always be a place of refuge for those seeking peace and respite.
Getting Here
Barbados is very easily reachable from most countries in the world. The Grantley Adams International Airport offers direct links to a variety of markets, and several major hub destinations. The frequency of international flights ensures that you can travel with ease. Popular airlines like Jet Blue with the addition of their premium flight option complements British carriers. The recent addition of a direct flight from Panama to Barbados was a historic partnership for the island. The island also features many additional seasonal routes to the UK and Europe during the peak season.
Choice of Accommodation
The range of accommodation on offer in Barbados has something for everyone. From luxury hotels to the more budget conscious offerings with value as a priority, travellers can choose their ideal holiday experience. A growing number of hotels are offering all-inclusive options with the completion of planned branded hotels, the options in this segment would be further enhanced. Complementing this range of hotels is a diverse range of vacation rental properties, with on-island providers – like our sister company Blue Sky Luxury – offering several staffed and managed homes and private estates, and modern beachfront apartments. Online marketplaces round out the choice of offerings to ensure that there is truly something for everyone. It’s no wonder Barbados has the highest repeat visitor percentage in the region at 39%.
Transport & Infrastructure
The paved road network along with the island’s relatively flat terrain and extensive public transport, make Barbados’ infrastructure one of the best in the region. The ABC Highway stands out as a vital route from the airport to the west coast and points along the south coast. The island’s modern telecoms options ensure that visitors are never out of touch with their home base. This extends to the island-wide cellular offering which facilitates the use of navigation apps which makes travel around the island easier.
Things to Do
When it comes to sun, sea, and sand, the Caribbean as a region offers this in abundance, and while Barbados is regularly recognised for having some of the region’s best beaches, there is so much more on offer to visitors and residents. These include: Bushy Park Barbados, the only Grade 3 FIA racing circuit in the Caribbean; the Garrison Savannah, a six-furlong grass horse-racing course which hosts the Barbados Gold Cup, one of the most prestigious thoroughbred classic horse race events in the Eastern Caribbean; a variety of polo fields which host several tournaments with international teams competing during the January to May season, and golf courses ranging from the affordable to the exclusive and many in between, several designed by internationally renowned course architects. Once the sun goes down, Barbados continues to shine, with world class restaurants and nightlife that include international hospitality brands like Nikki Beach.
Property: Clifton Plantation
These two departments of the Terra Group work very closely together. Blue Sky Luxury is the holiday rental side of the business and they rent properties tailored to holiday rental stays. Terra Luxury is the West Coast brokerage side of the business that rents long term rental properties as well as buying and selling of real estate. Terra Luxury is the local affiliate of Knight Frank, which though based in London has a Global Network of 512 offices worldwide in 60 territories.
Many owners choose to rent their properties to offset the running costs and presently Blue Sky Luxury has 130 villas, apartments and townhouses in their rental portfolio; there are four property classification categories “Flagship”, “Luxury” , “Classic” & “Essential”. Most of the homes are rented with a full staff complement in place and it’s not unusual for guests to return to a particular property due to the friendly and great service they have received.
Property: Westhaven
Blue Sky Luxury reservations specialists book rental properties directly as well as through 140 overseas agents and travel agents. Many guests have become long-time repeat clientele and a large part of their business – well over 50% have enjoyed more than one visit.
Holiday rental guests are a good source of business for Terra Luxury especially as these guests have already experienced the island first hand. They may be attracted to the laid-back, yet sophisticated lifestyle; the great weather all year round encourages outdoor living and by extension good health; the relatively safe surroundings and maybe even the attractive resident tax rates if clients make Barbados their home. The real estate market is currently a buyer’s market and the experience of the Terra Luxury brokerage agents will make the process of finding the right property, at the right price a smooth and straightforward process.
Tucked away in the popular community of 2nd Street in Holetown, St. James, you’ll find The Mews. The ‘not so typical’ restaurant showcases a unique layout that’s a true time capsule of traditional Barbadian architecture and its preservation allows for guests to sit in a truly quaint environment. Enjoy the view and your meal on the balconies overlooking the active nightlife below, the interior courtyard, private dining rooms, or the quirky nooks and crannies scattered about this one of a kind gem.
Inside the kitchen, you’ll find a team championed by new Executive Chef Anife Best, who has put his personal spin on the Euro-Caribbean cuisine that the restaurant is known for with a focus on ‘farm-to-table’ fine dining. As a locally owned restaurant, the Mews celebrates flavours of Barbados with fresh, local ingredients and produce all sourced in Barbados.
The Mews offers a Farm Fresh Special Menu that is curated based on that availability of fresh produce. You’ll find delicacies such as the Pickled Codfish or Local Pumpkin Soup along with Mahi Mahi Aglio e Olio or Clifton’s Pork Chops. From their traditional menu, you’ll find starters such as Lemon Butter Scallops & Shrimp and Confit of Duck, sumptuous entrées including Curried Rabbit and even a 28 Day Aged Grilled 10 oz Ribeye Steak … and if you can still fit dessert, we’d recommend the Sticky Caramel Bread Pudding or the Chocolate Tart with warm Coffee Ganache.
In addition to promoting Farm-to-Table fine dining and an overflowing wine list, guests will enjoy a wide variety of local art on display throughout the restaurant featuring spectacular pieces by local artists. If you’re looking to be entertained, look no further as you’ll be serenaded by local musicians and artists as you enjoy your meal…. especially on Friday night when you’ll be guaranteed live entertainment in any season.
The Mews is an excellent choice for a night out, as 2nd Street becomes ‘the spot’ to ‘lime’. With quite a few bars in the area, 2nd street has a great night life with The Mews at the heart of the action.
Other than the festive season in Barbados (take a peek our winter getaways), November is one of our favourite times of the year as we celebrate Independence Day and a plethora of fun activities. If you love the water, November offers the Barbados Open Water Festival and the Live Like Zander Junior PRO WSL (World Surf League) & Thomo QS 1000 WSL.
The Barbados Open Water Festival
This annual event and draws locals and visitors alike from all countries to take part in this fun, five-day competition. Check out last year’s blog where we interviewed veteran competitor Amanda Garcia – Property Manager of luxury villa Crystal Springs. This year, participants can take part in practice swims, optional dinners, and four races. If you’re staying on the South Coast, Sapphire Beach condominiums are close to the action and lots of fine dining and entertainment options. We highly recommend checking out the nightlife in “The Gap” as well.
Dates: 6th Nov 2019 – 9th November 2019 | Location: St. Michael
World Surf League Live Like Zander Jr Pro and the WSL (World Surf League) Thomo QS 1000
This event is very near and dear to our hearts as it’s held in honour of Zander Venezia and Bill Thomson. The World Surf League (WSL) Junior is in loving memory of Zander while the homo 2019 QS 1000 in loving memory of Bill. Held at the famous Soup Bowl in Bathsheba, the event is always exciting and, a great opportunity to rub shoulders with the local Barbados community.
Dates: 7th November 2019 – 10th November 2019 | Location: St. Michael
Here are your new weekend plans so let’s get Ready, Set and Surf in Barbados! Socialising included!
*Photos compliments Global Swim Series and Barbados Surfing Association.
Crop Over is Barbados’ most colourful and popular festival. With origins dating back to the 1790’s, it is considered a summer festival during which the richest and most creative and fun aspects of Barbadian culture are on full display. Besides the gorgeously bedazzled costumes, pulsating rhythms and bountiful eats, here are 3 things you should know about Crop Over.
1. It’s Steeped in Tradition
Crop Over is considered to be the oldest festival in the Western Hemisphere. One of the earliest documented instances of Crop Over celebrations was recorded in 1798 when it represented a celebration to mark the culmination of another successful sugar season. As the sugar industry declined, so did the Crop Over festival and in the 1940’s the festival ceased. However, its value was undeniable and in 1974 Crop Over was revived.
2. It’s not Carnival…
While colourful costumes are on display during Kadooment Day, it is important to know that despite apparent similarities between Crop Over and celebrations across the Caribbean and Latin America, Crop Over is not a carnival. You’ll be forgiven for making the faux pas once or twice but it is unacceptable to refer to Crop Over as a carnival – it is the Crop Over Festival. Similar celebrations namely in Brazil and Trinidad – are referred to as carnivals but do not share the same origin as Barbados’ festival, and only appear to be the same to the untrained eye.
3. The Party Never Stops
Crop Over culminates with the most stunning spectacle on Kadooment Day, the costumed parade however, the festival offers a myriad of events at varying times of the day and across all different types of geography. Make a trek at midnight to a quarry in St. George for fun in paint and powder or get dressed up for a fun evening at a gorgeous plantation house for an all-inclusive party complete with sushi, decadent desserts and lovely chef prepared meals. Opt to celebrate Crop Over on the water with a 4 a.m. catamaran breakfast party cruise or a nighttime sail and head down to the beautiful Farley Hill National Park or the beautiful beachfront at Brandon’s Beach for musical treats.
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If you’re really ready to book your Barbados getaway, we offer some amazing Barbados homes available for occupancy within the next few weeks. Check them out here!
For any enquiries, feel free to contact us!