BARBADOS! 2019: The Year of Wellness and Soft Adventure
A little while ago, we attended the Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc’s Trade and Tourism event. It was a lovely event which showcased what the island of Barbados offers.
We’re headed to Barbados in July as we won an amazing prize on the night thanks to Virgin Atlantic, Turtle Beach By Elegant Hotels, Visit Barbados and The Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc. (BTMI). As you can see from the picture below, I couldn’t be more excited. Make sure you keep an eye out on OnIn.London as we’ll be definitely sharing more Barbados related stories whilst we are there.
Before we go, however, we wanted to share with you the many reasons to visit including and definitely not limited to:
* the fact that Barbados has one of the world’s sexiest beaches as voted in 2008 by Concierge.com.
* the fact that Barbados is the first Zagat-rated Caribbean island and is known as the culinary capital of the Caribbean.
* Sunning yourself on gorgeous beaches
* Getting to swim with Sea Turtles
* Rum, Rum and more Rum
Plus with 2019 having the theme of wellbeing and soft adventure due to the huge range of water and land-based activities available including horseback riding on the beach, mountain biking, snorkelling, diving, jet skiing, wake boarding and paddle boarding, plus a range of luxurious spas and healthy nutritious food from a wide selection of restaurants… why wouldn’t you want to visit Barbados.
Accommodations in Barbados are plentiful from picturesque plantation houses and villas, to quaint bed and breakfasts and award- winning, five-star resorts. And with the UK maintaining it’s place as the biggest visitors to Barbados, it’s lucky that Grantley Adams International Airport offers even more non-stop and direct services from Gatwick, Heathrow and Manchester making Barbados the true gateway to the Eastern Caribbean.
What’s even more impressive is that Barbados has now banned single use plastic! So you’ll get a greener Barbados when you visit.
This year you must make sure you plan your visit to ensure you make the most of Barbados’ calendar of festivals. There’s a range of different festivals which cover everything from its fascinating history, sporting prowess, wealth of activities and the island’s culinary expertise. Whatever the month, whatever the season the locals and visitors alike, come together to celebrate the islands’ trove of historic and cultural experiences.
Here’s a snap shot of some of the festivals taking place this year.
Gospel Fest: May 18 – 26
The Barbados Gospel Fest features top local, regional and international gospel talent. The festival exists as a celebration of the Christian faith and seeks to glorify God in everything it does including the incredible talent it showcases each year. For eight days, expect events, concerts and sermons, embracing traditional Gospel and Hymn speak as well as urban contemporary Gospel and Jazz. www.barbadosgospelfest.com
Celtic Festival: May 21- 26
The Celtic Festival is a three-day extravaganza of entertainment, folk music and food- focused fun, celebrating the deep connection between the Celtic regions and the sun kissed Caribbean island of Barbados. The island has a strong connection to Celtic roots as many Irishmen were shipped across to Barbados in the aftermath of the Cromwellian wars. Expect talented musicians with fiddles and kilts in tow that bring the island to life with sweet melodies, and rousing renditions of some old Celtic classics. It’s a festival not to be missed www.barbadoscelticfestival.com
Dive Fest Barbados: July 2-7
This festival is dedicated to celebrating the underwater world of Barbados, You’ll get amazing scuba diving demonstrations, underwater photography, lionfish hunting, ocean conservation activities and freediving demonstrations. The festival also focuses on the preservation of the island’s coral reefs and on improving conditions to sustain the fish and sea turtle population. The ‘Dive Against Debris’ campaign especially promotes this by encouraging volunteers to dive for rubbish and participate in a beach clean-up as part of the PADI Project Aware conservation movement. The festival is designed to cater for all levels of experience, encouraging people to explore and enjoy the fascinating underwater world, but also to come away with a greater appreciation for, and a desire to conserve it. www.divefestbarbados.com
Crop Over: May 4 – August 5
Dubbed as more than a carnival, come experience the sweetest summer festival – Crop Over which celebrates the end of sugar cane harvest season. The vibrant festival is a true melting pot, which combines rich heritage, incredible live music events, cultural activities and a selection of foodie experiences washed down with copious amounts of the islands’ sweet golden elixir, rum. It’s no wonder, Rhianna is ofter photographed here. The festival events carry on throughout the summer before culminating on Grand Kadooment Day on 5th August 2019 where the streets come alive with a myriad of colour as masqueraders are adorned with bejewelled, feathered costumes, dancing to the rhythmic sounds of Soca until the sun goes down. www.visitbarbados.org
Food and Rum Festival: October 24 – 27
2019 marks the 10th anniversary of the fabulous Barbados Food and Rum Festival, one of the biggest foodie festivals in the Caribbean. The event brings together the best of Barbados’ culinary experiences on island and is hosted by some of the most coveted chefs from Barbados and around the world. The island’s renowned mixologists, concocting a mixture of creative and refreshing rum cocktails, top off this gastronomic extravaganza. You’ll be spoilt with fresh Bajan street food from market stalls, mouth-watering dishes served on beaches, rich indulgent flavours and creative dishes available from the plethora of fine dining restaurants on island. www.visitbarbados.org/food-and-rum-festival
For more information on travel to Barbados, visit www.visitbarbados.org
