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Barbados Naked

Barbados Naked

Welcome to my Barbados naked series. Here I will provide you with information on things to see and do on the island and to recommend restaurants, bars and excursions which I have witnessed or had guests telling me how good they really are. I hope you useful information for your travel or study of the island and would be very glad if you feel you could add something to my information. If you can do me a Admin@VIPvillas.com and we consider the Add our function Barbados Naked "for future readers. Please enjoy reading the articles I will post a week. The series begins this week with an introduction in Barbados, the main tourist information points, some history and facts and figures.

Next week we will find out about restaurants and food on the island. I will provide details of the best restaurants in each city and neighborhood and give you a taste (if you pardon the pun!) of what they offer. I will also detail some of the local dishes you should try and while there.

Then activities. Barbados is truly the best of the weather. There are many activities that will relax from the beach to the more energetic activities such as diving, water sports and golf or course.

Excursions follows that with a guide on what to do and when. This guide gives you everything you need know to actually "do it yourself ', so stand by for a full breakdown of the island with contact information for tour operators and tour operators.

You really can not go all the way to Barbados and not sample the nightlife you now! Well click through during week 5 of my Naked Barbados series to see which are hot and which not. From beach bars the high life of the West Coast this installment is all. Barbados nude it certainly!

I have previously completed the top ten beaches in Barbados. Listen to week six for a thorough look at the best beaches. I revised almost all on the island, so you can feast your eyes on those tourists who do not know about.

Week Seven offers a calendar of events for 2009. Make sure you do not miss thning with a thorough study of what is going on in 2009.

And we finish in week eight. A whistle stop tour of all that Barbados is Naked! I will conclude my series on the travel specialist, married? Then tune in, fancy a nature trail? Then click through ... it's all here in the last "round up" week.

So with no time to waste here is my opening piece. Please enjoy!

FLIGHTS / GETTING THERE

Barbados is well connected with Great Britain and North America, and currently a limited service from Continental Europe. With so many incoming flights act as a hub to other islands in the south-eastern Caribbean. This makes the island an excellent island hopping base if you plan on visiting other islands. VIPvillas.com may organize separate stays in luxury villas in more than one Caribbean island for you.

The following airlines serve Barbados:

UK:

British Airways from Gatwick

Virgin Atlantic Gatwick and Manchester

Caribbean Airlines (formerly BWIA) from Gatwick with British Airways codeshare

BMI from Manchester.

Europe

Martinair from Amsterdam

Condor from Frankfurt

USA:

U.S. Airways from Philadelphia

American Airlines from New York & Miami

Air Jamaica from New York (JFK)

Delta Air Lines from Atlanta.

Canada:

Air Canada Toronto

Regional:

Caribbean Airlines (formerly BWIA), Air Jamaica, LIAT and American Eagle, which flights in the Caribbean have. Flights to the Grenadines are served by SVG Air, Mustique Airways and TIA in 2000 - the three companies also work together as a Grenadines Airways.

Island Hopping

A very helpful indeed to know that there are a number of flights from Barbados to the Grenadines, as well as day trips and as transfers, known as 'shared charters'. Practically speaking they run every day, but because they are carried by charter airlines, rather than planned companies, are not reported in the international computer systems. See below for the airlines that offer shared charter to the Grenadines.

Regional Airlines

LIAT

Caribbean Airlines (formerly BWIA)

Air Jamaica

SVG Air

Mustique Airways

Trans Island Air / TIA 2000

Day trips to other islands:

Discovery Grenadines

Fly to Union Island and join a catamaran for one days sailing, snorkeling and swimming with stops in Mayreau, Tobago Keys and Palm Island. $ 640 including lunch and drinks.

One day air tours to the Grenadines, St Lucia, St Vincent and Grenada and Young Island.

If you want to charter a plane, then they are available via:

St Barth Commuter

A local airline based in St Barths, providing scheduled flights from there to St Martin / St Maarten and Caribbean private aircraft offers charter flights to all islands in the eastern Caribbean. They have a fleet of five twin-engine planes and five specially trained (STOL) pilots with permission to land in St Barth.

SVG Air

A local Caribbean airline that offers charters to the Grenadines from around the region, often from Barbados, but also from St. Lucia and Grenada, even many of Puerto Rico. SVG Air has around a dozen 5-19-seater planes and also offers island hopping and air ambulance services.

AIRPORT

Grantley Adams International Airport (airport code BGI after Bridgetown, capital of the island) is located approximately 10 miles/16 kms southeast of downtown Bridgetown. VIPvillas.com have luxury portfolio of West Coast Villas in Barbados for you to choose from, they really are pure luxury!

The airport has recently undergone a multi-one million U.S. dollars with the major expansion phase completed in 2007. This included the construction of a new, much larger arrivals hall, which now houses 22 workstations immigration, baggage carousels and two five large duty free stores. The old arrivals hall has become part of an extended departure lounge and houses a new airside food court and retail concourse. Other facilities include a bank and mail. Approximately four air bridges are part of the next series of improvements and there is presentation of the check-in area and is installing air conditioning.

PASSPORTS & VISA

As a visitor to Barbados you have a passport valid for at least 6 months from the date of entry, along with a valid return airline ticket. This now applies to all U.S. and Canadian citizens, while British citizens are required to complete a 10-year passport. American, Canadian, British and EU citizens do not need visas for short stays. Other nationalities please contact with the Barbados High Commission or your tour operator for the admission

LOCAL TRAVEL

The bus system in Barbados is a good and fleet of blue and yellow bus (registration number BM) reaches every corner the entire island on a regular basis. You should just change for the buses and they stop only at official bus stops, which are either marked "To City" or "Out of City" in a red and white circle. The destination is displayed above the windshield.

The Government service is supplemented by privately operated mini-buses (license plate B) which are painted yellow with a blue stripe along the side, route taxis (ZR license) which White with a burgundy stripe. These buses give change, and they play local music (a little loud sometimes) and can be hailed down anywhere on the route. Destinations are usually on a plate placed in the bottom left corner of the windshield, and routes usually painted on the sides of buses. It should be noted that ZR vans are an adventure and as a mode of transport. They tend to stop at the drop of a hat and driving speeds are not for faint hearts. But then they go out of their way to drop a grandmother with her shopping outside her house. Avoid travel during peak hours when buses are packed to the utmost. The tariff for each destination is BDS $ 1.50 one way. Depending on the routes, while the week buses operate from as early as late as 5:30 to 12:30.

For more information on the Government Transport Service, phone 436 6820 Barbados

CAR RENTAL

Renting a car is an excellent complement to a visit to the Caribbean, but especially in Barbados, as there is enough to do and because the island is surprisingly easy to explore. There are some beautiful beaches cut into the cliffs of the southeast, which provide an excellent day out and picnic, and the Atlantic coast is wonderfully dramatic. Getting lost in the Canefield is almost par for the course, so do not worry if you do. Just stop and ask and someone is bound to help. Finally, there are restaurants on every visit in the evening. From an island perspective, cars are an essential aspect of local life. The Bajan prefer a few one hundred meters away to work than to walk and so there is really a rush every morning and evening. There are less than 1719 km of paved roads on the island.

A local license is required to drive in Barbados. BDS This costs $ 10 and can be obtained from the car rental when you rent the car, or at any police station. If you visit during the winter season and know that You want a car then it is advisable to book well in advance otherwise, due to demand, it will be impossible to get hold of one. VIP villa excellent car rental rates can secure for you, better than the largest car rental. You need a license held for at least two years to rent a car in Barbados, and at least 21 years and under 75 years.

Indicative prices can be found below.

2007-08 Stoutes Car Rentals Rate Guide in U.S. $ per day / week:

Mini Auto Moke (4STR) - 61/265

Jimny Jeep (Soft Top) Auto (4STR) - 69/320

Terios Jeep 1500cc (Hard Top) A / C Auto (5str) - 85/420

Vitara Jeep 2000cc (Hard Top) A / C Auto (5str) - 95/490

Prices are in U.S. dollars, subject to 15% VAT and are valid 16 december 2007-15 December 2008.

Comprehensive insurance is included in the rent, except for a deductible of U.S. $ 1,500 in case of loss, accident or damage to the vehicles - regardless of fault.

A collision damage waiver (CDW) is offered to cover this deductible at a cost of U.S. $ 49/week or U.S. $ 10 per day. Customers pay for the petrol in the car on the time of rental, and the return of the vehicle empty. Child seats and booster seats are available for hire on request. Car rental rates, CCC, gasoline, and extras such as child and booster seats are subject to 15% VAT. Payment is made for hire at the time of delivery.

DRIVING AND PARKING

Driving in Barbados is on the left, do not forget your license!

Common drivers are courteous and honest, which is rather conservative, they tendency to adhere to the traffic. But be careful going around roundabouts, because not all drivers know which lane they should be in. You also have to keep an eye on for Z vans and minibuses, which stop in the middle of the road at the drop of a hat. Try to avoid anywhere during rush hour, when all of the major roads heading into Bridgetown, Holetown South Coast and the tendency to back-to-back with traffic (the local radio stations have traffic reports during both the morning and evening). Nearly every household on the island resembles a car, and for those who are not there many families with more than one. Some children still walk to school, so there are very few pavements (sidewalks) you should drive with caution during the start / finish of the school day. Only careful when going around blind corners in the countryside.

Drunk driving laws are introduced, so check for new regulations.

Seat belts are compulsory and failure to wear one draws a fine of BDS $ 500. The speed limit is 37 in Barbados mph/60 km / h, except on motorways (55 mph/80 km / h) and Bridgetown (20 mph/32 km / h).

PARKING

The parking for official parking in Bridgetown and the airport is currently BDS $ 1 per hour or part thereof, and $ 6 for the day. Tickets are issued on entry and payment is made on exit.

TAXI

Taxis are widely available around Barbados (if you can not find, just a walk in the nearest hotel and they will one for you), with taxi stands located at the airport, Bridgetown Port, Bridgetown on Independence Square and Lower, Broad Street and Heroes Square, the South Coast in Accra Beach - Hastings Rocks, West Coast at Sunset Crest Shopping 1 and 2.

Taxis are not measured. Instead, the rates are fixed. It is always a good idea to confirm the cost of your trip before leaving.

Distance rates should not exceed BDS $ 2.50 per mile or BDS $ 1.50 per kilometer. The fixed rate per hour is BDS $ 32, waiting to BDS $ 7 per hour between 6am to 10pm, and BDS $ 8 per hour between 10pm and 6am.

MEDICAL

Generally the climate in Barbados is relatively benign and there are only a few things you may encounter are not in Europe or the United States. Check your coverage for polio and tetanus is up-to-date. There is no malaria in Barbados, but there are very occasional outbreaks of dengue fever - another mosquito-borne disease that occurs after much rain. You need normal precautions against mosquito bites. If you are susceptible then make sure to use insect repellent during the day and after sunset.

Requirements Visitors' local pharmacies can be satisfied, after consultation with a local doctor.

HOSPITALS

The medical facilities in Barbados are among the best in the Caribbean. There are eight polyclinics in the island and two hospitals.

The general hospital is Queen Elizabeth Hospital (QEH) in Bridgetown which has 600 beds and operates a 24-hour A & E department.

There is also a modern private facility in the Bay View Hospital in St Michael that no one A & E Dept, but there is the FMH Emergency Medical Clinic in St Michael.

VACCINATIONS

Vaccinations are not required for entry into Barbados, though you can check with your doctor before traveling. There is a exception, for travelers coming from areas infected with yellow fever where a vaccination certificate is required from travelers over one (1) years old.

ELECTRICITY

Domestic appliances is currently designated for 115/230 volts AC, 50 cycles, with 2-pin American style plugs and sockets.

TELEPHONE

Barbados has a good telecommunications system and has recently been deregulated so that mobile phones from abroad will work (although sometimes can be quite expensive). The networks are Cable & Wireless, Digicel and AT & T Wireless.

The international dialing code for Barbados is +1 246 followed by seven digits. When on-island is calling the seven figures. Staying in a villa not check to see if the international phone calls, as some have no room, which will be lifted, and for which a deposit.

Internet services are available at most hotels and some villas, plus a number of Internet cafes open. Mobile phones can be rented or a roaming feature can be added to your mobile

Overseas phone calls from any phone around the island state, for which payment by credit card or a local pre-paid phone card.

TIME ZONE

Barbados 4 hours behind GMT during winter and therefore it is four hours behind Britain and five behind the rest of Europe, and one hours ahead Eastern Standard Time in the States. Barbados has no daylight saving in the summer, so the island is five hours behind British Summer Time (six behind the rest of Europe) and at the same time as the eastern coast of the United States.

TOURIST INFORMATION

There are Barbados Tourism Authority information offices at the airport, between the arrivals of Immigration and Departure Lounge, t 428 0937, on the Deep Water Harbor (where the cruise ships come in), T 426 1718, and at the headquarters of the BTA on Harbor Road, Bridgetown, to 427 in 2623.

Outside BTA offices in Barbados you will find the following Places:

Great Britain: 263 Tottenham Court Road, London W1 P 7LA, T 020 7636 9448, btauk@barbados.org

Canada: 105 Adelaide St. West, Suite 1010, Toronto, Ontario M5H 1P9, t (416) 214 9880, free 1800 268 9122, btapublic@globalserve.net

USA: 800 Second Ave, New York NY 10017, t (212) 986 6516, btany@worldnet.att.net, 3440 Wilshire Blvd, Suite 1215, Los Angeles, CA 90010, t (213) 380 2198, btala@worldnet.att.net, 150 Alhambra Circle Suite 1000, Coral Gables, Florida 33,134, t (305) 442 7471, btamiami@barbados.org

DEPARTURE TAX & TAX

Departure tax is not payable when the airline check-in counter as it should be included in the cost of your ticket - check your ticket to confirm. This tax (Passenger Service Charge) is payable by all passengers leaving the island (exempt for stays of less than 24 hours) and over the age of 12 years. The amount increased to BDS $ 55/US $ 27.50 on February 1, 2007.

Hotel and villa accommodation is 7.5% government room tax and service charge in Barbados, which is normally added to your account (unless you stay in an all-inclusive hotel). It can be very different from the final price of your holiday, so if you book direct make sure you calculate the price of your trip.

A 15% VAT applies to most services including car rental, tourist attractions, restaurants, retail (except for Duty Free items), excursions etc, but this is usually included in the published price, excluding car rental rates, which typically do not include VAT, so you need to add it.

WEATHER

Barbados boasts that it has 3000 hours of sunshine per year. Certainly within the Caribbean region has an excellent climate. Temperatures range from a few degrees over the years and because it is surrounded by the sea the island rarely gets too hot, except occasionally in the summer, especially if it continues. In general, however, there is a breeze on the edge off from the heat. The best time to visit is in winter when the northern hemisphere, the coldest in February, but this is obviously the season and the most expensive time.

The rainiest time of year is the summer months between late August and late October. Often the sun comes back after a shower, but occasionally a blanket of clouds, a spin-off system weather in the northern hemisphere and can cover the island with cloud for a few days.

Barbados lies on the edge of the hurricane belt, but is not seriously affected in recent years.

WATER

Most of the water in Barbados is artesian water, rainwater that has soaked into the limestone structure of the country. Overall, drinking from the tap and tastes good, but in restaurants you will be offered a choice of local or bottled water. However, with so much pressure on the existing groundwater supplies in recent years, a desalination (the largest in the Caribbean) facility is now in force, which provides water to 20% of the population of the island, which currently Spring Garden Highway in the area where the factory is located. Sandy Lane Hotel also has a desalination system.

Tap water is introduced at Bridgetown in 1861, and the occasion the event of an ornamental fountain, made in Great Britain, was founded in 1865 in what is now Heroes Square.

CHILDREN

In the Children are generally well received in Barbados, but some of the smarter hotels have an age restriction policy at certain times of the year, especially in February and March. Others offer special programs for children. Most villas are well geared up for children. It is easy to find babysitting and they cost about BDS $ 20 per hour plus transport home.

There is an abundance of playgrounds in Barbados at the moment, but six of the Chefette fast food outlets now have kids zones (with air conditioning Rockley on) and each playground has slides, cars and trips and other activities, and also cater for parties. Pizzaz pizza restaurant in Sunset Crest in Holetown on the west coast has its own playground.

Apart from frolic in the sea and building sandcastles, there are a number of child friendly activities available on the island: the Barbados Museum has a special gallery for children with an exhibition called "Yesterdays children" in the Kidd Gallery, Folkestone Marine Park near Holetown is a recreational underwater park with a snorkel trail, an interpretive center and museum with marine displays and a saltwater aquarium, there is also a picnic area, tennis and basketball courts and a playground. The Barbados Wildlife Reserve is popular with children for the animals look like Atlantis Submarine and Harrison's Cave. The Barbados Golf Academy has an 18 hole mini-course with special rates for 14yrs and under. There is a drive-in restaurant near the Sheraton Center, which also has an indoor cinema. Farley Hill National Park has a playground and picnic. See later Barbados for further periods of Naked Child-friendly activities in Barbados.

Adventure Beach at the yard has kayaks, pedal boats, glass bottom boats, ocean trampolines, a floating ice mountain climbing, beach volleyball and snorkeling. Accra Beach in the Rockley area is another popular beach and is good for boogie boarding with boards for rent. Batts Rock on the West Coast (near Calabaza Restaurant) has good swimming and snorkeling, plus a playground for small children with slides, swings and swings. There is a parking lot, picnic benches, showers and changing rooms, and drinks machine.

Corporate / INCENTIVES

Barbados has excellent facilities for business customers in all types of groups, incentives and business travel and events. The island has good international and regional air routes, making it easy to reach. When accommodation, a number of VIPVillas larger villas can make perfect settings for smaller groups. Especially those with staff chefs.

Meeting facilities outside the featured properties remark:

Sherbourne Conference Center, St. Michael, T 467 8200

www.bcslbarbados.com

Multi-level conference and event facility with 164,000 square feet of meeting and exhibition space for exhibitions, conferences and special events up to 1200 people seated theater style in the largest room. Eleven conference rooms, five breakout rooms, two foyers and two dining rooms, media facilities and state of the art telecommunications equipment, Infrared Simultaneous Interpretation System

Frank Collymore Hall, Central Bank Building, Bridgetown

The Grande Salle to 61'x 29 ', can be used for exhibitions, art performances and meetings, with five large and eleven small screens. The Meeting Room seats 70 and is equipped with presentation and projection equipment.

WHAT Pack

Consider the following when packing for a trip to Barbados:

Adequate sun protection, high factor sunscreen, sunglasses, hat / Cap and a lightweight beach-shirt/blouse/t-shirt suitable beach and walking shoes, insect repellent with DEET suitable for use all day, cream for insect bites. Also consider and plug adapter, film and batteries for cameras, toiletries, beach mat / towel, preferred brand of coffee / tea, small torch.

Clothes - lightweight cotton clothing, elegant / casual clothing for the evenings. Note that most good restaurants and top hotels require that men wear long trousers and shirts in the evening, no shorts, sandals or t-shirts. During the festive season people tend to dress and a few of the more exclusive establishments jacket and tie requested. Women may wish for a lightweight wrap or jacket suit during the winter months when the evenings (Jan / Feb) sometimes feel cool after the heat of the day.

You should be aware that an offense for anyone, including children, dressed in camouflage clothing in Barbados. It is also an offense to bring in meat products from the UK.

BANKS

International and local commercial banks operating in Barbados the Bank of Nova Scotia / Scotia Bank, Barbados National Bank, First Caribbean Bank, Caribbean Commercial Bank, Royal Bank of Canada and the Mutual Bank. The Central Bank of Barbados has been operational since 1973. The island also offers offshore banking and insurance.

Banking hours are Mon-Thu 8am to 3pm and Fri 8am to 5pm. Most banks are closed on weekends, but the Mutual Bank has two branches open until 7pm on Friday and 2pm on Saturday, and the Caribbean Commercial Bank is open from 9am to 1pm on Saturday. ATMs are located on the island, including the airport, port, some service stations and shopping malls. Note that only the ATMs will give in Barbados Dollars (not U.S. Dollars) and a number of charges for overseas cash transactions.

Banks require customers to show their passport when cashing checks. You need to show a transaction slip and if you want to convert Barbadian dollar back to your own currency.

CURRENCY / CREDIT

The currency of Barbados is the Barbados dollar (BDS), which is fixed to the dollar at a rate of U.S. $ 1.00 = BDS $ 1.98 (approximately street / beach vendors May 2 to make a straight 1). All prices are quoted in Barbados Island U.S. dollars, except the rates in the U.S. alone, and duty free items where the local BDS $ price displayed alongside the dollar price. Dollar (Notes only) are accepted throughout the island, but you often find that the exchange will be beneficial not in hotels, supermarkets and large stores as in the bank.

CREDIT

Most major credit cards (including debit cards) are accepted anywhere that deals with tourists on a regular basis. Do not expect local bars or small local restaurants to accept (in doubt, double check in advance), but you'll see that the larger supermarkets often do. It is noteworthy that some credit cards may attract an additional charge.

Next week I'm on restaurants and food on the island so make sure you click through to read. I will detail specific restaurants and include contact details for them so put that together with the taxi number and you're on your way!