The island of Barbados is one of the Caribbean getaways you might consider. The island is physical and cultural evidence of British and African culture. It was the British who colonized the island together with their African slaves. The main industry of the island since then was the sugar cane plantation. Subsequently, the slaves gained their freedom in 1838. Bridgetown has acted as the capital of the island ever since. Downtown Bridgetown has a popular canal called the Careenage, which is also one of the city’s attractions. The canal allows the docking of medium-sized yachts and small boats right in the heart of the city of Bridgetown.
There are many options to get to Barbados. One of the most common ways is to get to the island by plane. Another option is to take a cruise, and you’ll be docked at the port of Bridgetown, where you can shop at the port’s duty-free shops. However, cruise ships stay at the docks only for a short time, so if you plan to stay in Bridgetown, you might be better off taking the plane. Bridgetown is a busy city, and getting around the area is not a problem, whether you choose to rent a car or take public transportation. Cheap and luxury hotels are also available in Bridgetown.
Bridgetown is a tourist destination with a mix of natural and financial attractions that might be of interest to you. Shopping, for example, in Bridgetown is rampant business. Considering that the Port of Bridgetown is one of the busiest ports in this part of the world, it also serves as a stopover for cruise ships, so you can expect plenty of shopping in the ports. For a luxury shopping experience, you can visit Broad Street where you can find some of the shops as it is considered as one of the commercial districts of the city. If you want to buy fresh produce from the sea or the farmland, you might consider visiting Cheapside Street Market or Fairchild Street Market. Both places sell only the freshest fruits, fish and vegetables in the area.
Bridgetown’s historic sites include the popular Parliament Buildings, National Heroes Square and Queen’s Park. If you decide to delve deeper into the history of the island, you can visit the Barbados Museum or venture into the Iron Gardens, a unique garden with sculptures made from used car parts. For those of you who like to take your chances with horse racing, then the Garrison Savannah Barbados Turf Club is the place for you. The building was once used as a soldiers’ barracks but has been transformed to be used for horse racing. To experience more of what Bridgetown is, or what Barbados really is, one of the main attractions you might consider is the Rum Factory and Heritage Park. Here you’ll find old sugar refinery machinery, a sculpture garden, and a sugar cane field. The atmosphere is a first hand experience of the rustic life of the locals then and now. You can also take a trip to the Caribbean Cigar Co., where tours are held to explain how popular cigars are made. The best thing about the place is that visitors are given samples so that you can really taste and experience the cigars fresh from the production.
The island of Barbados is known for its white sand beaches and crystal clear waters ideal for diving and water sports. There are many groups that will guide you on your water sports tours or experience. One attraction to look out for is the Lord Willoughby, a sunken ship that can be accessed by diving down to Silver Bank Reef. There are also others to consider, such as Eco Dive Barbados, Tiami Catamaran Sailing Cruise, and Silver Moon Charters, if you want to explore more of Barbados at your own pace.
Bridgetown showcases a mix of two major cultures the world has ever known. The mix of British and African influence has made the place a crossroads of two traditions resulting in a very rich history and culture.