Travel Weekly gets the latest on openings and attractions as the Caribbean island parts ways with the Queen
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New attractions…
Must-sees
Harrison’s Cave, home to a well-organised, hour-long underground tram tour, has rebranded as an Eco-Adventure Park. A Mount Gay rum experience has been added and a zipline, challenge course, aviary and monkey attraction are due for next winter. In Bridgetown, the Synagogue Historic District now includes an upgraded museum.
We love…
Hot restaurants
This winter’s top table is dinner-only The Beach House in Holetown, recently opened by Paul Owens who was executive chef at the renowned The Cliff restaurant for over 25 years. In Speightstown, Local & Co is a new restaurant majoring in island-grown produce while PEG Farm, a scenic drive inland at Easy Hall, offers terrific garden-to-table fare plus rural walks.
paulowensatthebeachhouse.com
Where to stay…
The Sands Barbados
Foodies will enjoy The Sands Barbados, a contemporary all-inclusive beach resort on the south coast with a rooftop restaurant overseen by Bajan chef and former MasterChef contestant Jason Howard. Worthing Square Food Court, a gathering of takeaway food trucks that grew out of the pandemic, is a stroll away, while Oistins, famous for its Friday night Fish Fry, and the entertainment zone of St Lawrence Gap, are within easy reach.
thesandsbarbados.com
Good to know…
New direction
Barbados became a republic on November 30, removing the Queen as head of state, but clients will notice no significant change. Covid-19 precautions remain in force, including a nightly curfew from midnight to 5am, but there are plus points such as more space on catamaran cruises due to reduced capacity. The BTMI has set up a toll-free phone number offering advice to UK travellers, 0800 0163 098.
Sample price…
Cruise options
“This winter we expect to receive 336 cruise vessel calls, with just over 372,000 passengers,” says Kirk Humphreys, Barbados minister for maritime affairs. Royal Caribbean is using Bridgetown as a home port for Grandeur of the Seas, until April 17. A seven-night cruise costs from £179 departing February 13, excluding flights. Other lines include Seabourn, Silversea, TUI and Cunard.
royalcaribbean.com
Book it
Aer Lingus is now flying from Manchester three times a week and packages can be booked through British Airways Holidays. Virgin Atlantic has also started a service from Edinburgh, operating twice a week.
aerlingus.com
PICTURE: Shutterstock/ESB Professional
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