Showing posts with label Barbados. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Barbados. Show all posts

Monday, 11 September 2023

The Barbados Food and Rum Festival

19 to 22 October 2023 

The 2023 Barbados Food and Rum Festival will take the theme Feed the Future. 

Events include a traditional Bajan Fish Fry; Breakfast Beach Party’, dining with celebrity chefs and the Junior Chef Cook Off Competition. 

Cockspur and Mount Gay are the official Rum Partners, with a whole host of rum based cocktails on offer. 

Throughout the festival there will be live music. 

Barbados is the home to a number of rum distilleries, with the island known as the birthplace of rum, having commercially produced and bottled the spirit since the 1700s. 

The Caribbean island of Barbados hosts several other major events including the Barbados Reggae Festival and the Crop Over Festival. 

 Aprille Thomas at aprillet@visitbarbados.org

Monday, 12 June 2023

Barbados Food and Rum Festival

19 to 22 October 2023 
The island of Barbados, in the eastern Caribbean, is known for its beaches, botanical gardens, Harrison’s Cave formation and 17th-century plantation houses. 

The Barbados Food and Rum Festival gives due prominence to the rum while also highlighting the island's culinary offering. 

This year’s Festival will highlight the talents of 29 award-winning local chefs and mixologists who will headline signature events. While the Festival itself runs for four days, additional events and activities take place throughout October. 

Each year, Barbados hosts a range of events including the Barbados Reggae and the Crop Over Festivals.
*Source: Ali Finnegan at ali@travelmedia.ie

Friday, 10 February 2023

Essential Detail in the Caribbean

473 Grenada Boutique Resort
Essential Detail represents 11 boutique hotels and resorts across seven Caribbean islands. 

473 Grenada Boutique Resort, Grenada 

Grenada, the southernmost of the Windward Islands, is known as the Spice Isle, and one of the friendliest and most picturesque islands in the Caribbean. 

The historic coastal capital is St. Georges a pretty town set in a curved bay dotted with waterfront restaurants, and historic areas of interest. Grenada offers the largest underwater sculpture park along with a range of flora and fauna. 

473 Grenada Boutique Resort is a collection of nine modern design villas on a private peninsula enveloped by two beaches. 

Built in a retro-beach style they combine modern amenities with authentic Caribbean inspired accents. 

There is a 70-foot infinity pool, direct beach access, established tropical gardens and a dedicated concierge team. 

Guests can enjoy the privacy of the villa, with a full kitchen, lounge, and dining areas and a private chef, on request. 


Atlantis Historic Inn, Barbados 

Barbados offers sunshine, warm tropical weather, white-sand beaches and turquoise waters with an abundance of rich culture and heritage. 

The island has a wide choice of restaurants, nightlife, music, and festivals featured throughout the year. 

The Atlantis Historic Inn dates back to the 19th century when the island’s original railway dropped off its passengers on the east coast for a ‘seaside’ holiday. 

In 2009, the new owners restored the property that exploits its position on the undiscovered east coast.

There are nine suites with four poster beds, a restaurant and swimming pool with the Atlantic Ocean on the doorstep. 


Little Good Harbour Barbados 

Little Good Harbour is a small private beachfront hotel close to a quiet fishing village on the island’s northwest coast. 

The original 17th-century Fort Rupert has been carefully and tastefully restored to provide 20 suites furnished with a fusion of Balinese and Caribbean décor. 

The Fish Pot, the hotel's water's edge restaurant is a popular lunch and dinner spot for hotel guests and visitors alike. 


East Winds, St Lucia 

East Winds, St Lucia 
Saint Lucia is a melting pot of cultures, with palm-fringed beaches, rainforests teaming with flora and fauna, natural waterfalls, and the majestic Pitons a UNESCO World Heritage site. 

The all-inclusive East Winds boutique hotel, which has been a popular island property for many years, is located on one of St Lucia's most sheltered bays. 

The restaurant offers a different four-course gourmet menu most nights, accompanied by carefully picked wines. 


Rabot Hotel, St Lucia 

The Rabot Hotel is located in the natural lush tropical setting of St. Lucia’s UNESCO World Heritage Site rainforest. 

It comprises 25 private eco-lodges overlooking the Pitons. Guests are encouraged to explore the estate and offers tours of the cacao groves. 

Chocolate features throughout the property from dining, and cocktails to spa treatments.


Paradise Beach, Nevis 

The small island of Nevis is popular with visitors seeking a more laid-back, traditional Caribbean experience Called ‘the sweet island’ it offers a rich history and culture with events and celebrations throughout the year. 

The landscape is lush and offers views from Nevis Peak and there are the uncrowded and unspoilt beaches, which are some of the best in the Caribbean. 

Guests at the Paradise Beach arrive by water taxi from St Kitts where most of the international flights arrive. Just a few minutes’ drive from the dock, the villa-style boutique hotel has odd quirky features thrown in on impulse by the owner, creating a true sense of personal style.

The gardens draw local bird life and and there is a constant aroma of beautiful tropical scents from the flowering vegetation and edible fruits. 


Sunset Reef, St Kitts 

Sunset Reef, St Kitts 
St. Kitts is the larger of the twin islands of St. Kitts & Nevis in the Leeward Islands. 

The capital Basseterre is laid back classic old-style Caribbean, while beyond the island is unspoilt with Mountain ranges and the volcano Mount Liamuiga. 

There are rainforests, with 25% of the island is set aside for a national park, and the beaches are unspoilt and pristine. 

Located at Palmetto Point with views across the sea, Sunset Reef is a boutique property offering seven luxury suites. 


Young Island, The Grenadines 

The Grenadines are a chain of volcanic islands, islets and cays, and are largely undiscovered with the cays and islands popular with the sailing fraternity and local fishermen. 

They embrace the nations of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, and Grenada. Kingstown the capital of St Vincent is a bustling town with cobbled streets, historic buildings and churches. 

The island is lush and unspoilt with peaceful unspoilt beaches, marine life perfect for scuba diving and a relaxed Caribbean pace of life. 

Young Island, which offers a ‘barefoot’ Caribbean holiday , is located on its own private island just off St Vincent. It offers a 'Robinson Crusoe' setting, but one that is not too remote as St Vincent is just minutes away by complimentary boat. 


Jamaica Inn, Jamaica 

Jamaica is one of the largest islands in the Caribbean with a rich history and real laid-back culture. 

It offers mountains, rainforests, waterfalls, and beaches combined with a vibrant music scene and fine cuisine. Jamaica Inn has been one of the most popular hotels in the Caribbean. 

It is a small all-suite hotel on 700ft of Jamaica’s premier private beach frontage. 

The privately owned property, which has been in the same family for 65 years, has 55 suites, cottages, and bungalows.
 

Ocean Cliff, Jamaica 

The adults-only, beachfront Ocean Cliff Hotel on the Negril coast is located on the cliff front with beautiful panoramic ocean views and an ocean-fed swimming pool. 

The resort also has direct access to its own private white sand beach. 

The resort comprises 18 handcrafted stone cottages featuring balconies or patio sun terraces..


https://www.sandyhavenresort.com/

Sandy Haven, Jamaica 

Sandy Haven is a privately owned boutique property on Negril’s white sand seven-mile beach. 

The resort’s location gives guests a great choice of local bars and restaurants embracing the local vibe.

There are 35 guest suites with a choice of garden or ocean view and featuring a contemporary design with stylish touches of Jamaica in the décor and art. 

There are two restaurants and bars, a swimming pool, spa, and fitness centre and private beach cabanas.

Source: Tracey Dyson at tracey.dyson@essentialdetail.co.uk 

Saturday, 3 December 2016

Christmas Is a Time for Giving (Back)

Hands Up Holidays announces inspiring new luxury travel ideas for families to make the Christmas Season even more meaningful and fulfilling.

Award winning ethical luxury family travel specialist Hands Up Holidays (www.handsupholidays.com) has trips for families to travel and celebrate the essence of Christmas: giving back and helping those less fortunate. And with Hands Up Holidays you can make a difference in style, and in sunny locales, tailor-made for you, to create your ideal festive family trip that changes lives…not just your own.

These give-back trips are so popular with families because:
  • Children appreciate how fortunate they are (some have even foregone their Christmas presents so that children they interact with can have gifts);
  • Families bond closer together;
  • Families get to interact with and gain insights into another culture
  • Volunteering can increase the chances of university entry

New destinations for families are:

Italy

– serve meals to refugees and other homeless people in Rome, gain insights to what it is like to sleep rough, and combine this with your chosen highlights, such as Florence, Sicily, Sardinia, Venice, Amalfi Coast, Puglia or Lake Como.

Zimbabwe 

– help build a home for a needy family, interact with them and hear their stories, then finish off with exploring Victoria Falls and Big 5 safari in pristine game parks.

St Lucia 

– assist at a remedial reading program and help with homework in the library afterschool, and provide mentoring and support to disadvantaged youth…blend this with hiking, sailing, zip lining, aerial tram rides and beach relaxation.

Barbados 

– make a difference with the Variety Children's Charity selling Christmas tree decorations, wrapping gifts, host a Christmas party for children, and feed the homeless…combine this with a submarine trip, catamaran and snorkeling excursion, wildlife parks, rum distilleries and beach relaxation.

USA (Texas) 

– help at a center for riding for the disabled: interact with horses, clean the stalls and get your hands dirty with horticulture and facility projects, and learn about the incredible human-horse bond and the therapeutic benefits to the disabled…combine this with enjoying the highlights of Dallas, Austin and San Antonio, finishing up in the wilds of Big Bend National Park and quirky Marfa.

USA (Florida) 

– make a difference at the bird hospital in Key West and assist with maintaining the outdoor bird habitats, with bird rescues and yard maintenance…combine it with exploring Key West, catamaran trips, Dry Tortugas National Park, Everglades National Park and Miami


Perennial Family Favourites

Other (established) destinations where families can make a difference over Christmas include:


Costa Rica: 

assist at a rescue center for injured, orphaned or illegally traded animals: prepare meals for monkeys, cleaning parrot enclosures, introduce new sloths to their new living quarters, and assist the resident vet on his rounds. Combine this with white water rafting, hiking around a volcano, hot springs, spot wildlife in one of the many national parks, or take in some beach time.
Suggested itinerary: www.handsupholidays.com/suggested_itinerary/costa-rica/ - 10 days from $6,650 (£5,350) per person excluding flights

Zambia: 

build a house for a widow and her children, which can be combined with the splendour of Victoria Falls, white-water rafting, kayaking and 'Big 5' safari in South Luangwa National Park, or neighbouring Botswana.
Suggested itinerary: www.handsupholidays.com/suggested_itinerary/zambia/
10 days from $9,890 (£7,995) per person excluding flights

New Zealand: 

help maintain the habitats of endangered penguins in the South Island, which can be combined with cultural encounters, geysers, sailing, hiking, wine-tasting, bungy jumping, zorbing, glaciers and beaches.
Suggested itinerary: www.handsupholidays.com/suggested_itinerary/new-zealand/
15 days from $15,595 (£12,755) per person excluding flights

Cambodia: 

build a house for a family in need, who could never afford to have a decent place to live to call their own, which can be combined with bike rides through the temples of Angkor, spotting Irrawaddy dolphins, and island relaxation.
Suggested itinerary: www.handsupholidays.com/suggested_itinerary/cambodia/
10 days from $9,525 (£7,660) per person excluding flights

Brazil: 

renovate a community center that has run out of money to complete its building in a Rio favela, which families can blend with exploring the Amazon, delving into cultural Salvador, or relax on one of the plethora of stunning beaches.
Suggested itinerary: www.handsupholidays.com/suggested_itinerary/brazil/
10 days from $5,490 (£4,500) per person excluding flights

Hawaii:

build a playhouse in the playground of a pre-school center in a low income part of Honolulu, and combine this with your choice of Pearl Harbor, surf lessons, scenic heli-flights, golf, spa, and beach relaxation.
Suggested itinerary: www.handsupholidays.com/suggested_itinerary/hawaii/
10 days from $7,795 (£6,300) per person excluding flights

Mexico:

Help at a center in Cancun: a day-care at the women's shelter. Play, color, and practice English with the children; prepare and serve lunch at the Elderly Home; assist in the Bread and Shelter home by sorting donations and organizing their bazar…finish up by exploring Chitzen Itza, Tulum, Islas Mujeres or try your hand at Mexican cooking or beach relaxation.
Suggested itinerary: www.handsupholidays.com/suggested_itinerary/mexico/
7 days from $5,890 (£4,750) per person excluding flights

Family Friendly and Tailor-made Luxury

All of these trips are suitable for families, and can be tailor-made to suit their preferences, such as length of trip, activity, and accommodation.

Founder of Hands Up Holidays, Christopher Hill, says “by incorporating an element of 'giving back' to a luxury family trip is a powerful way to bring families together, and also for children to appreciate how fortunate they are, and as get immersed in another culture in a safe context. When this is combined with fantastic activities and relaxation, this makes for a memorable and meaningful luxury family trip.”

About Hands Up Holidays

With offices in London, Auckland and San Diego, Hands Up Holidays is an award winning responsible luxury tour operator dedicated to offering luxury tours that blend sightseeing with meaningful, hands-on ways to make a difference.

Hands up Holidays offers trips in 40 countries throughout the world, with a special focus on luxury family travel.

Friday, 15 August 2014

Best Cruising Destinations around the World

Cruising is known as traveling by a boat, yacht or a ship for a couple of days. These are also called pleasure voyages where the voyages and ships amenities are part of the experience. Cruising by ships is very popular these days and there are some best cruising destinations around the world mentioned here.

Antarctica:
- If not running on a budget to plan a cruise do consider Antarctica. You are guaranteed to witness wildlife in its natural habitat with penguin colonies, sea lions and an occasional polar bear. While on the cruise you will see magnificent glaciers, awesome peaks and icebergs. The cruise lines will try hard to pamper you and anticipate your need. Most modern amenities are provided on cruise lines with restaurants, lounges and theatres. It’s an out of the world experience to view the wildlife, seascape and landscape along with lecturers providing insights. It seems a journey to a different planet altogether.

Barbados:
- Blessed with hot sun, blue water and warm sand it is a destination to be. It offers you sophistication and unspoiled charm. Over here you meet warm and friendly people, feel the tropical breezes and see some of the most historic towns in Bridgetown. There are quite a lot of beaches here namely Bats Rock, Paynes Bay, Gibbs Beach or Mullins Bay. You can spend your entire trip on one or all of these beaches. Just make sure not to spend your trip in your room.

Virgin Islands:
- No one knows why they are called so but they are definitely less commercialized. It is a beautiful and pristine island where you can unwind and have a good time

Alaska: 
- Also known as 49th state of the US, has steep mountains which are spectacular. You can witness superb scenery and surely will not disappoint an adventure seeking individuals. If your cruise lands and is there for a while you can try to go to Mt McKinley and see how far you can go.

Australia/New Zealand: 
- Its only recently that Australia/New Zealand have come up as a cruise destination offering its glaciers and hidden beaches. Be sure to have Australian visa done before you begin your cruise. Cruise lines are now offering exotic spots in their itineraries as a result of popularity contests. You are bound to have a great time here.

Cayman Islands:
- Also known as Tax Haven this place offers soft white sand and underwater reefs. You can easily interact with locals here and don't even need a translator. To a tourist Cayman Islands offers trendy shops to Caribbean weather. Its gets you recharged almost instantly.

Hong Kong: 
- So what if most of its residents are trying to Emigrate outside, this former British crown colony offering spectacular beaches and great amenities. You will have the opportunity to witness the best of capitalism blending with communism.

Panama Canal:
- This canal links two oceans and separates two continents. Though you will find it hot and humid it is one of the world's most amazing engineering projects which you will witness. It shows man's fingerprints on nature. The spectacular view is breath-taking.

You may choose any of the destinations for your next cruise but for sure it will be a journey of a life time.

*Written by Hannah Brooklyn, a student from United Kingdom who loves to travel and write on Health and travel niche. Hannah has traveled to India, Australia, Switzerland. She engages in all types of outdoor adventure, explores the local way of life. Presently working on Australian Visa

Saturday, 25 January 2014

Barbados to host 2014 Top Gear Festival

The Top Gear Festival will make its Americas debut on the Caribbean island of Barbados at the newly renovated Bushy Park Circuit on 17-18 May, 2014. Hosted by Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May, Top Gear Festival Barbados will feature an awe-inspiring line up of cars and driving talent including The Stig, the Top Gear Stunt Team and guest drivers from the world of motorsport and entertainment. Top Gear Festival Barbados is expected to attract tens of thousands with visitors and will include such as high-speed motor stunts, extreme driving and races. Bushy Park is a short drive from the island’s capital Bridgetown and from the international airport.

New luxury resort for Nassau, Bahamas

Baha Mar, which is scheduled to open in December 2014, is set on 3,000 feet of white-sand beach just 12 minutes from Nassau’s newly expanded Lynden Pindling International Airport. The resort will feature an elite collection of hotel brands with gaming, entertainment, private residences, and shopping – there is even a private island. The Baha Mar Casino & Hotel, with 1,000 rooms, is the centerpiece of the resort, and includes a 100,000-square-foot Las Vegas-style casino – the largest in the Caribbean region. A 700-room Grand Hyatt, a 300-room Mondrian, the 200-room Rosewood Hotels & Resorts and the 694-room Meliá complete the accommodations at Baha Mar. Meliá International has announced it will take over the all-inclusive Meliá at Baha Mar this December. The property is set to undergo a full refurbishment which is due for completion in December 2014.

Source:-Tourism Caribbean

Tuesday, 31 January 2012

Accra Beach Hotel in Barbados to be Re-developed

Having recently completed a US$1.5 million refurbishment of its guest rooms and suites, the Accra Beach Hotel in Barbados has announced plans to redevelop its meetings and events facilities later in 2012.

Actively targeting the meetings and incentive market, the remodel will encompass all 6,500 square foot of the hotel’s existing meeting and events space, which incorporates four large meeting and events venues and a dedicated boardroom.

“Both the size and the locale of the Accra Beach Hotel and Spa make it an attractive option for meeting and event planners considering Barbados. The resort spans over 3.5 acres with 224 professionally appointed guest rooms and suites, dedicated meeting and events space, a spa and fitness centre and five restaurants and bars,” explained Jon Martineau, the resort’s general manager. During 2012, our objective is to ensure that as Barbados continues to grow as a MICE destination.”