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|  | BARBADOS - CARIBBEAN SEA COUNTRY SNAPSHOT AND INTERESTING FACTS | "The perfect beach holiday"
If you're looking for the perfect beach holiday, somewhere you can really relax, look no further - with pristine beaches, crystal clear water and vibrant flora - Barbados has it all. This laid-back English colony combines beach life with great music, a hopping night scene, delicious food and a strong sense of history and culture.
The handsome colonial buildings of the capital, Bridgetown date mainly from the eighteenth century, while the later buildings of the suburbs sprawl inland. Many of the island's mixed race population are descendants of the African slaves, brought over to work the colonial sugar plantations. Back at the beach, warm Caribbean waters are teeming with colourful fish swimming in vibrant coral reefs. Sailing, waterskiing, windsurfing, snorkelling and scuba diving are just some of the watersports available. Hire a car, scooter, bicycle or moke (open-air jeep) to venture further afield, and visit underwater caves, lush tropical gardens, sugar-cane factories, rum distilleries or plantation houses.
The island has a lively nightlife with floorshows of limbo dancers and pulsing reggae music a perfect accompaniment to the Bajun cuisine of spicy seafood, tropical fruits and vegetables, washed down with rum cocktails and fresh fruit juices. It may all sound too good to be true - but this is Barbados. The island was uninhabited when first settled by the British in 1627. Slaves worked the sugar plantations established on the island until 1834 when slavery was abolished. The economy remained heavily dependent on sugar, rum, and molasses production through most of the 20th century. The gradual introduction of social and political reforms in the 1940s and 1950s led to complete independence from the UK in 1966. In the 1990s, tourism and manufacturing surpassed the sugar industry in economic importance. Historically, the Barbadian economy had been dependent on sugarcane cultivation and related activities, but production in recent years has diversified into light industry and tourism. Offshore finance and information services are important foreign exchange earners. The government continues its efforts to reduce unemployment, to encourage direct foreign investment, and to privatize remaining state-owned enterprises. The economy contracted in 2002-03 mainly due to a decline in tourism. Growth probably was positive in 2004, as economic conditions in the US and Europe moderately improved. | Open here a detailed map in a new window. Map Server Travel-Island.com. | 
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| | | RESORTS AND EXCURSIONS | The dramatic differences between the east and west coast must not be missed. The east (Atlantic side) is less developed and ruggedly beautiful. The west coast is the Caribbean side, where there is more hotel development, but the coastline remains elegant and attractive. The sea is calm and clear and this is the coast where watersports come into their own. Barbados is actively promoting ecotourism. The Barbados National Trust has implemented programmes to support this venture. Various hiking, cycling and walking events are available and information can be obtained from the Barbados National Trust, Wildey House, Wildey, St Michael, Barbados (tel: 436 9033 or 426 2421; fax: 429 9055; e-mail: natrust@sunbeach.net; website: http://trust.funbarbados.com).
Bridgetown
The island was discovered by the Portuguese in 1536, but throughout its colonial history, which ended with the Declaration of Independence in 1966, Barbados was under British sovereignty. This is strongly reflected in the old capital of Bridgetown which has a decidedly English character; so much so that there is even a miniature of London's Trafalgar Square, complete with a statue of Lord Nelson. The city is small and there are many excellent walking tours. Places worth a visit include the Fairchild Market, St Michael's Cathedral (built in 1789), Belleville, Government House, the Barbados Museum, the Old Synagogue and the Garrison Savannah. Temple Yard has a Rastafarian street market.
St John
There is a breathtaking view of the east coast from St John's Parish Church. The church's cemetery contains the grave of Ferdinando Paleologus, a possible descendant of the Byzantine Emperors.
Codrington College
Situated near Consett Bay, and one of the oldest schools of theology in the Western hemisphere, built in 1745.
Morgan Lewis Mill
Also in the east, this is a splendid example of a Dutch windmill from the days of the sugar cane planters. It has been completely restored and is open to the public.
Newcastle Coral Stone Gates
Situated in St Joseph, these gates were erected by 20th Century Fox for the film Island in the Sun, and the area affords a commanding view of the magnificent east coast beaches.
The East Coast Road
One of the most exciting drives on the island, with the Atlantic crashing over treacherous reefs on to the rugged and beautiful coast.
Andromeda Gardens
The array of exotic plants grown along terraced gardens make this the prettiest area of St Joseph.
Welchman Hall Gully
Owned by the National Trust, this botanic garden in St Thomas is home to many rare fruit and spice trees.
Holetown (St James)
The monument in the town gives the date of the founding of Barbados' first settlement by the English as being 1605, although this event in fact took place in 1627. There are still a few structures dating from that time. St James, the first church, still retains a 17th-century font, and a bell inscribed 'God bless King William, 1696'.
Harrison's Cave (St Thomas)
This eerie, luminous cavern makes a spectacular excursion. Completely lit, one can see every part from a special train which takes the visitor on a mile-long ride underground. It is open 0900-1600 every day.
Flower Forest
A 50-acre botanical garden in which can be found almost every plant that grows on Barbados. The grounds offer pleasant walks and spectacular views of Chalky Mountain, the Atlantic Ocean and Mount Hillaby.
Bathsheba
Small pastel-coloured houses cling to the chalky cliffs that rise above the Atlantic.
Potteries
This village is famous for its ceramic artworks.
Gun Hill Signal Station
Notable both for its splendid view of St George's Valley and for the lion carved out of a rock by a British soldier in the days when Gun Hill was an army look-out point.
St George's Church
18th-century, and worth a visit for its wonderful altarpiece.
Platinum Coast
This beautiful stretch of coast is also known as Millionaires Row. There are fine beaches of white sand and clear, turquoise waters.
Speightstown
Typical West Indian village, with attractive wooden houses, shops and old churches.
Animal Flower Cave
A cavern carved out by the sea with coral rock tinted almost every imaginable colour.
Farley Hill
Once a fine plantation house, now in ruins, still covered in hibiscus and poinsettias.
St Nicholas Abbey
Another plantation house, graced with Persian arches and well-kept gardens.
The Atlantic Coast
Take the inland road through sugar-cane country with little churches and tiny towns with gingerbread houses. See the dramatic view from Crane Beach.
Sam Lord's Castle
Once an old plantation house, but now a hotel, beautifully decorated with furniture made from Barbados mahogany.
Barbados Wildlife Reserve
Wildlife, some indigenous and some introduced to the island, roams free in a mahogany forest. Animals that visitors may expect to see during their visit include green monkeys, tortoises, deer, wallabies, pelicans and otters. There is also a screened aviary where peacocks, turkeys, toucans, macaws, lovebirds, parrots and an iguana may be viewed. | PASSPORT AND VISA APPLICATION Furthermore, in order to get into many countries on the stay abroad you will require a visa of some type, even if you are just visiting. This is usually an insert, stamp or sticker which is placed in your passport and the duration of its validity varies from place to place. If you do intend to work or study in the country to which you are traveling, however, you should organize your visa even further in advance as this can take longer to process.
As well as your passport you should ensure that you have at least one other form of identification with you. This may be a driver’s license, birth certificate or any other form of ID which is acceptable worldwide. As with passports, bring at least two copies of all forms of identification in case of loss or theft.
Help to Passport and Visa Application Forms. How to find the right one(s)?
A passport is issued to you by your home country as proof of citizenship. Visas are stamped into your passport to allow you entry into other countries. Although there are exceptions, you are usually required to display your passport when entering or leaving a country. Once you arrive at your destination, carry a photocopy of your passport and keep the original in a safe place.
A visa is an endorsement or stamp entered into your passport by a foreign government. It allows you to enter that country for a specific reason and period of time. Start applying for visas as soon as your passport is available so that all your documentation is completed well before your departure date. To receive a visa you need to send your passport to an embassy or consulate of the country you want to visit. Most countries have embassies and consulates worldwide, and travel agents can usually tell you where the nearest ones are located. Keep in mind that your passport may be tied up for days or weeks until the paperwork is done, so plan accordingly. In addition, some countries require proof of yellow fever vaccination before they will issue you a visa. The amount of time spent mailing your passport to the various agencies involved can really add up if you are visiting several countries. Plan ahead if possible. If you only have a few weeks to prepare, a commercial visa service can often speed up the process. |
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