Non-Stop to
Barbados

Flying low over the island, visitors easily can see the Barbados coast is almost entirely ringed by coral reefs. Further out, game fish such as flying fish, dolphinfish, tuna, turbot, kingfish and swordfish live. Cruise ships and smaller crafts dip in and out of nearby St. Lucia and St. Vincent.

Barbados, the easternmost Caribbean island in the chainthat leads from South Florida to South America, is 166 square miles and divided in to 11 parishes. The West Coast is a prime tourist area peppered with luxury hotelsand fine dining.

All along the stretch, from Crab Hill to St. Lawrence, the Caribbean Sea and her inhabitants await to lull, amaze and inspire. The south and east are better left for surfers looking for the rush and tumble of the Atlantic Ocean. But there is so much more to see on the island, not simply in its waters.

Getting Around
The best and cheapest transport option on Barbados is the bus (75 cents), including the government-operated public buses, which have the most extensive routes; a privately operated minibus system; and route taxis. Renting a car works, too. Temporary driving permits are required; they can be obtained for a small fee through your rental agency. In Barbados, you drive on the left.

Where to Stay
Choose from inexpensive guest houses with bed and breakfasts at less than $40 a day to luxury accommodations at $1,600 in season. Apartments and apartment hotels offer the comfort of a hotel room combined with the convenience of your own cooking facilities. A wide selection of luxury villas and cottages are available for rent throughout Barbados. Privately owned vacation rentalsare often rented at much lower costs than hotel or resort rooms. The premier hotel – frequented by movie stars and other luminaries — is the ultra-chic Sandy Lane off Highway 1 in Paynes Bay (St. James, 246-444-2000, www.sandylane.com).

The main building is a coral-stone, Palladian-style mansion. Guest accommodations include a personal butler. The world-class spa is a vacation in itself. Add in the Caribbean’s best golf courses, a tennis center, a full complement of water sports, a special lounge for teenagers ... and you get the sumptuous picture. April 19 – Oct. 31. Rooms start at $950 per night.

Tamarind Cove, a family friendly resort is located right on the beach with all inclusive packages. The surroundings at Tamarind Cove are picture perfect for beach weddings, followed by a romantic honeymoon in one of their honeymoon suites, 246-432-1332. The 22-suite Peach & Quiet off Inch Marlow Main Road (Inch Marlow, Christ Church, 246-428-5682, www.peachandquiet.com) is an elegantly sparse, seaside inn. Each suite has a large terrace or balcony and a stocked bookshelf; bathrooms have showers only. Rates start at $99 double occupancy per night.

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