Holidays 2021 - 5 Things You Can Only Do In Barbados
The holiday you take in 2021 is, unquestionably, going to be one you’ll relish like never before. And what better place to take that long overdue and well-earned break than on the sun-kissed tropical paradise of Barbados. Aside from its glorious palm-fringed beaches and tranquil, transparent waters, there are things to do in Barbados that you can’t do anywhere else. Here we’ll take a look at the unique adventures awaiting you.
- Join in the Oistin’s Friday Fish Fry
Oistin’s Friday Fish Fry is your chance to get a real taste of the Bajan good life. Dress casual, head down to Oistins at dusk and enjoy the relaxed, friendly, end of the week atmosphere and the fantastic food.
Bajan food is unique. The history of Barbados has created a cuisine with African, British, Creole, Indian, Irish and Portuguese influences. And, being an island, many of our dishes are based around the fish that live in local waters, like red snapper, flying fish, cod and mahi-mahi. The names of the dishes are as exotic as their flavours too: cutters, pudding and souse, conkies and jug-jug.
At Oistins, you’ll find a complete marketplace of traditional food shacks cooking up a whole variety of Bajan street food. You can eat while walking around or take a seat at one of the many picnic benches laid out for you. You’ll also find plenty of places to grab a cold beer, a rum cocktail or a soft drink.
Besides food and drink, there are lots of market stalls selling fabulous, locally made arts and crafts. It’s a great place for finding those much-cherished souvenirs. You’ll also be able to enjoy the local entertainment too, there’s even a stage where you’ll find live music.
Oistins is a place like no other and is as popular with the locals as it is with holidaymakers, which is why it’s one of the best ways to discover what Barbados life is really like.
- Play Golf at Royal Westmoreland
If you play golf, you’ll know that the quality of the course makes a huge difference to your enjoyment of the game. For those looking for something out of the ordinary, Royal Westmoreland Golf Course is rather special.
Designed by the internationally acclaimed Robert Trent Jones Jr., the championship standard, 72-par, 7,045-yard course is a golfing experience to be cherished. The perfectly manicured fairways meander through the lush tropical landscape of the Royal Westmoreland’s 750-acre estate and offer sublime views of the Caribbean coastline at every twist and turn. Each hole has been artfully designed to be enjoyed, to thrill and to challenge, especially the tricky par-threes.
As you’d expect from a world-class course, there’s everything you need to make the experience perfect: a pro shop, changing rooms, club and buggy hire, driving range and practice greens. There are even pro-led golf lessons if you want them. And if you can’t wait until you get to the stunning Club House that awaits your arrival at the 19th, you can take a well-earned breather and enjoy some light refreshment at the Halfway House.
- Sample the world’s oldest rum
Rum is a Bajan invention; in fact, there are lots of people who’ll argue it’s our best invention, too! Indeed, records show that as early as 1650, British sailors and settlers in Barbados were enjoying a locally made drink made from distilled sugar cane. Back then it was called ‘rumbullion’, nowadays, we know it by its shortened moniker ‘rum’.
What many visitors to Barbados don’t know when they first arrive here is that one of those distilleries from back then is still thriving today. Mount Gay has been producing rum since 1703 and today boasts the title of the world’s oldest rum distillery. Of course, it’s not just the oldest, but the finest. Barbados has the ideal conditions for growing sugar cane and its unique geology provides distillers with some of the purest water on the planet. These, combined with centuries of rum-making know-how, make Barbadian rum second to none.
If this sounds tempting, Mount Gay has created a special visitor’s centre where you can go and sample its collection of fine rums and learn how to make your favourite rum cocktails. You can even finish this all off with a sumptuous meal before taking a taxi (you’ll need one) back to your holiday accommodation.
A visit to the world’s oldest rum distillery is only something you can do in Barbados and Mount Gay Visitors’ Centre is one of the must-do activities for adults who wants to sample some of the traditional comforts that the island has to offer.
- Explore Bridgetown UNESCO site
You can’t travel to another part of the world and not soak up a little bit of its history, and the best place to do this in Barbados is at the Historic Bridgetown and Garrison UNESCO World Heritage Site. A fine example of 17th to 19th Century colonial architecture, the area has typically British winding roads lined with Georgian buildings and leads you to the wonderful centrepiece that is the St Ann’s Fort and Garrison. Here you’ll find the impressive Main Guard House with its delightful clock tower and George III coat of arms, together with the magnificent barracks, resplendent with Georgian arches and an extensive collection of early cannons.
Today, the Garrison, which overlooks the Garrison Savannah Racecourse, is put to use as the HQ of Barbados Turf Club. Taking a trip there on a race day makes it the ideal opportunity to combine a little history with a thrilling time at the races. Barbados has an exciting racing calendar and race days are highly popular and festive occasions that are fun for all the family.
- Staying at Royal Westmoreland
If you are looking for holiday accommodation that is as unique as the places mentioned above, then Royal Westmoreland is the ideal location for a luxury Barbados vacation. Nestled on the exclusive west coast, with stunning views of the Caribbean, our private, 750-acre estate is home to just 250 exquisite villas, apartments, townhouses and golf cottages. Each is architecturally designed and finished to the highest standards and comes with the services of our concierge and your own housekeeper.
World-class amenities at Royal Westmoreland include the above-mentioned golf course as well as tennis courts and state of the art gym. There is a wide choice of food and drink at our Club House, Halfway House, Rum Shak and our nearby Beach Club at the beautiful Mullins Beach. Located within easy reach of the rest of the island, it’s the perfect base for your holiday adventure and a place where we’ll make sure you’re right royally looked after. Indeed, you won’t find anywhere else quite like Royal Westmoreland.
Royal Westmoreland currently has a ‘Low & Transferable’ offer. This allows you to secure your holiday for a 25% deposit and transfer the dates at any time up to 45 days before you arrive. For more details, visit our Low & Transferable page.
