BY JANET STEINBERG
charm, and class. Beneath a turquoise sky, and surrounded by aquamarine
waters, this idyllic island is a solace for relaxation and a virtual mecca for
active lifestyles and cultural pursuits. It is endless sun-washed,
sugary, sand beaches and craggy, dark, underground caves. It is green
monkeys and flying fish; reggae and karaoke; booze cruises and rum tours;
beachfront hair braiders and spa-tacular hot stone massages.
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| BEAUTIFUL BARBADOS BEACH |
coral reefs and rum swizzles, it is the frequency of names like Trafalgar
Square, and Yorkshire, along with left-hand driving and roundabouts, that are
constant reminders of the island’s British heritage.
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PARLIAMENT BUILDING
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“Little England” has smatterings of the old country everywhere.
Cricket is the favorite sport; Trafalgar is the square of squares; and Lord
Nelson is the pigeon’s favorite. You can lunch on fish and chips at an
open-air café, wash it down with a warm beer, or have a spot of tea and scones
at a stately country home.In 1627, the first English setters landed on the
island and, in 1966, Barbados was awarded Independence within the Commonwealth
plethora of attractions to explore on the island include the following:
Sunbury Plantation House, a charming residence situated in the tranquil
St. Philip countryside. Reminiscent of bygone days, this beautiful
family home, dating back to 1650 is crafted of flint and other stones
imported from England.
Barbados Museum: Based in a former British military prison, this
distinctive museum traces the island’s evolution from
16th century time to the present. It features natural history
exhibits, historic maps and art installations.
migrating from Portugal (via Recife, Brazil) at the time of the Spanish
Inquisition. In 1831 a hurricane destroyed most of the original
Synagogue and by March 1833, a new synagogue was dedicated. The synagogue is either the first, or
second oldest synagogue in the Western Hemisphere. The answer depends on
whether you ask someone from Curacao or from Barbados.
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| INTERIOR OF NIDHE ISRAEL SYNAGOGUE |
odes, love poems, and even warnings to visitors. The Nidhe
Israel Museum was built in an abandoned school building
(circa 1750) adjacent to the cemetery
more than 30,000 orchids on display. You can get up close
and personal with these precious blooms.
an astonishing array of plants from all over the tropical
world. A bubbling stream winds through the garden forming
pools and waterfalls.
sensitively developed natural phenomenon is a series of beautiful
underground caverns complete with stalactites and stalagmites and
underground streams and waterfalls. Visitors are taken through the
cave in an electric tram and accompanied by an official guide.
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ENTRANCE |
Atlantis Submarine: This space age machine transports you on a voyage
of discovery through the final frontier of inner
space. Diving to depths of 150 feet, the unique submarine
enables you to experience the wonders of the world beneath the sea.
Dining in Barbados runs the gamut from moderately priced casual to over
the top expensive. You must
try Waterfront Café’s signature Flying Fish served with cornmeal
Cou-Cou,
Bajan favorite.
One Sundays there is a grand Barbadian buffet brunch at the
magnificent Crane Resort’s L’Azure Restaurant.
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FRESH
FISH BEING PREPARED IN FRONT OF WATERFRONT CAFE |
Accommodations in Barbados also run the gamut from moderately priced casual
to over the top expensive. On one visit to Barbados, I
discovered Treasure Beach, a small hidden gem of a hotel with an
eclectic mix of clientele from both Europe and America. Located
on Paynes Bay on the island’s West (Gold) Coast, this 35-suite boutique
hotel, with 3 premium suites sporting private plunge pools
on verandas, opens to a vista of sand, sea and sunsets.
you have deep pockets, consider a lunch or a stay at Sandy Lane Hotel.
This exclusive hotel, on the sheltered west coast of Barbados,
is located on the site of the old Sandy Lane Sugar
Plantation. Originally built in 1961, Sandy Lane
Hotel firmly established itself as the premier address in
the Caribbean. Having closed for several years for a major rebuilding
and expansion, the hotel reopened in March 2001.
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POOL |
Over the years, Sandy Lane has hosted a veritable “Who’s Who”
of famous, glamorous, wealthy, and royal guests. That list
included such luminaries as Queen Elizabeth, Princess Margaret,
Jacqueline Kennedy, Aristotle Onassis, Luciano Pavarotti, Sir
Elton John, Michael Caine, Maria Callas, and Frank Sinatra. It
was the place where Tiger Woods held his wedding.
Set amidst luxurious tropical gardens and a mahogany grove, the hotel
is edged with a half mile of the whitest sand on the
island. Built of white coral stone, the hotel
offers spectacular views of the Caribbean. The fabulous Tom
Fazio-designed, Green Monkey golf course, carved out of a former
quarry, is available only to Sandy Lane Hotel guests. The
signature sand trap of this dramatic course is a green grass monkey
in a snow-white sand trap. The 47,000-square-foot Spa at Sandy Lane
is something to behold. Even if you don’t opt for a treatment,
do what ever it takes to get a tour of the place. I guarantee
you, you’ve never seen anything like it.
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| ENTRANCE TO SANDY LANE SPA |
you stay at Sandy Lane, be prepared for sticker shock when
you receive your bill. It is not for the faint
of heart.
is an award-winning Travel Writer and a Travel Consultant with
THE TRAVEL AUTHORITY.