09 May Barbados Hints
We’ve recently returned from an epic 11 day trip to the beautiful Caribbean Island of Barbados. We have left our hearts there but thought we’d share some of its top restaurants and attractions:
We headed here for a special birthday celebration. Its Barbados’ most famous restaurant and is eye-wateringly expensive, but to celebrate a special occasion in style nowhere on the island can match it.
The setting is theatrical, with torch lit decks (the restaurant is open only at night) perched above an idyllic cove where stingrays and tarpon swim in the floodlit water.
The food is equally memorable, both for its intricate presentation and flavours.
Desserts such as The Flaming Snowball – strawberries and ice-cream inside a meringue ball drenched in lit Grand Marnier – are great fun.
The service is fantastic, with the legions of staff as attentive to mere mortals as the many celebs that visit.
To get your money’s worth, come early and have a drink and gawp in the upper-level bar. And book as far ahead as possible, particularly in the peak winter months and if you want to try to bag one of the better tables nearest the rail and overlooking the cove.
Restaurant – Champers
Champers is one of the best restaurants on the south coast. Its oceanfront setting is spectacular, especially if the sea is a bit rough and the waves are thumping against the rocks below and spray is heading up towards the dining terrace.
Expect plenty of fresh seafood, generous portions and striking flavours – for example in shrimp with mango as a starter. Allow time for a wander round the quality art gallery upstairs.
Attraction – Cool Runnings
We went on the Cool Runnings boats day after day – they are that damned good. Cool Runnings Catamaran Cruises, voted 2nd Most Popular Attraction by the globally recognised Zagat Survey as ‘the Rolls-Royce of catamaran excursions’ in Barbados.
Their unique charter company specialises in personalised cruises, ensuring the utmost in comfort, service and enjoyment. Their elegant, custom-built catamarans sail with a limited number of passengers, to guarantee a superb day of sailing in an uncrowded atmosphere.
Attraction – St Nicholas Abbey
A trip to a Caribbean island wouldn’t be complete without a superb rum tour.
This Jacobean plantation house with an operational cane-grinding steam mill in the winter months, and a rum distillery – tastings and purchases possible.
Don’t miss the fascinating home movie of life in Barbados in the 1930s, which is accompanied by a hilarious, dry commentary.
