Before You Go... Don't Pack Any Camouflage

Did you know? The wearing of camouflage or military apparel is illegal in Antigua & Barbuda, and Barbados and clothing will be confiscated and persons charged accordingly. While it is not illegal on other islands, I would not advise wearing anything camouflage in the Caribbean. 

Cheers,

Barbados Celebrates Crop Over

The Caribbean is known for its wild party like atmosphere during Carnival Week. In addition to the traditional Carnival, there are many other national holidays that are celebrated in the same style... one being Crop Over Festival in Barbados. 

"The Crop Over summer festival is Barbados' most popular and colourful festival. Its origins can be traced back to the 1780's, a time when Barbados was the world's largest producer of sugar. At the end of the sugar season, there was always a huge celebration to mark the culmination of another successful sugar cane harvest - the Crop Over celebration." Read more here...

Here's a photo of the Bajan superstar Rihanna enjoying the Kadooment Parade... 

{photo from here}

If you are looking to experience a Caribbean Festival, then mark your calendar for Crop Over 2012! Barbados is serviced by all major airlines, including United Airlines & American Airlines. Drop us a line if you are ready to start planning. 

Barbados Food, Wine, & Rum Festival

Mark your calenders! The 2011 Barbados Food, Wine, & Rum Festival is set for November 18to 21, 2011. This is one of the Caribbean's best parties and certainly the most palate pleasing. 

Check out more photos from the 2010 festival here.

Visit the Barbados Tourist Board's website for more details.

Our Caribbean Travel Agents are standing by... waiting to help you plan your trip to the Barbados Food, Wine, & Rum Festival! Call us - 866-236-1924 to get started today! 

An Island Partners with its Favorite Star!

The Barbados Tourism Authority signed a three-year agreement with pop singer Rihanna, a Barbados native, to exclusively promote her hometown island of Barbados as a tourist destination. The partnership launches officially on Aug. 5 with a full-length concert on her current “Loud” tour.

{photo from here}

Under terms of the agreement, Rihanna will promote Barbados through advertising campaigns, promotional appearances and via her social media presence. Rihanna will also promote travel to Barbados from Brazil during her appearance on tour in September. “In the hearts of every Barbadian, Rihanna is known as the girl down the road, but to the world she has become a musical sensation and social phenomenon,” said Richard L. Sealy, Barbados’ minister of tourism. “She is a great source of national pride to Barbados and we are thrilled to enter into this formal partnership to promote Barbados as a leading tourist destination.” 

Hurricane Tomas Update

Hurricanes are scary phenomenons. We lived through 5 in Miami before moving to Atlanta. We were safe, and what was scarier for me was the loss of business when the Internet would take weeks to be repaired. But in 3rd world countries, without hurricane standard construction, even Hurricane Tomas - barely a category 1 - can cause catastrophic damage as noted in this video:

So far, we don't have any reports of damage to hotels on any of the islands affected. We are keeping a close eye on the path of Tomas as it threatens Jamaica and the Dominican Republic and if it hits, it would likely disrupt thousands of travelers. We are praying the storm steers clear of Haiti because as haven't they had enough?

Stay tuned!

A few fun facts about BARBADOS!

Last night I went to dinner with the Barbados Tourist Board. As with any Caribbean sponsored event, the night was lively & colorful but it was the following facts that I found most interesting...

Did you know 7 of South Carolina's first 21 governors were from Barbados?

Or that Barbados' own Mount Gay Rum is the oldest in the world? Maybe that's why it is called "the rum that invented rum".

What about this... Barbados was the only country George Washington visited outside the US and the house he lived in has been restored and is waiting for you to explore.

Not only is Barbados the first Caribbean island to be Zagat rated, but there are more restaurants per square mile than any other Caribbean island. 

Who knew that Barbados is home to Bathsheba, one of the top surfing destinations in the world.

And rounding out the coolness factor report, she's from Barbados too...

Stay tuned for more tidbits on this little gem of an island...

Enjoy,

Barbados Food & Wine & Rum Festival

I have failed miserably at my own job. Somehow, I completely overlooking this sure-to-be amazing festival sponsored by Food & Wine Magazine and sadly, I have conflicting travel plans the very same week. My inner foodie is not happy at the missed opportunity to see such  fine culinary talent as Tom Colicchio, Marcus Samuelsson, Ming Tsai, Tim Love, and Fergus Henderson, in action.

For those of you who are looking for a great excuse to visit Barbados and are free to travel the week of November 19th, I highly recommend this event! I've attended other Food & Wine sponsored events and each delectable bite is worth the trip. 

Being Barbados, this is not simply a Food & Wine affair... expect large volumes of rum with a heaping side of arts & culture.

For more on the festival click here. To book your trip to Barbados, click here.

Send me a postcard!

Early Booking Promo at Colony Club in Barbados!

The Colony Club is one of Barbados's most prestigious addresses. The Colony Club is a AAA Four Diamond Award Recipient.  The 4 lagooon style swimming pools enusre that there is plenty of room for all guests to swim amidsts the palm trees. The hotel includes such luxurious amenities & services as twice daily maid service and nightly turn down service.

Book your Barbados Vacation to the Colony Club by December 1, 2010 for travel 1/1/11 to 9/30/11 and receive the 7th night FREE + discounted room rates. 

Enjoy,

Now is the time to fall for Barbados!

Barbados is offering a value added promotion for this fall! 

Stay at least 5 nights at a participating hotel and receive:

$150-$300 Airfare Credit

Free Daily Breakfast

Free One Day Car Rental to explore the island

Free Gourmet Dining Discount Card

Buy One - Get Second at 25% off activity card

Hurry! You must book by August 15th for travel between September 1 and December 18, 2010.

{AS WITH ALL PROMOS, RESTRICTIONS APPLY. Please ask.}

Please contact us at www.CaribbeanJourney.com to start planning your Barbados Vacation today! Photo above is from The House, one of the participating hotels.

Enjoy,

Just Launched - Caribbean Vacation Sale!

The Caribbean is on SALE! Hurry - must be booked by February 2, 2010. Below are a list of some of the participating hotels. Contact me {laura @ caribbeanjourney.com} and I will provide you with a custom quote for your travel dates!

Book 1 Night, Get 1 Night Free:

Radisson Aruba

Breezes Grand Resort & Spa, Negril, Jamaica

Coconut Bay Resort in St. Lucia

Almond Beach Village in Barbados

Book 2 Nights, Get 1 Free:

Radisson St. Martin + daily breakfast

The House in Barbados + daily breakfast

Comfort Suites in Nassau, Bahamas + daily breakfast & full use of Atlantis facilities

Paradisus Punta Cana, Dominican Republic

Riu Ocho Rios + kids 12 and under stay and eat free

Book 3 Nights, Get 1 Free:

Body Holiday @ LeSport in St. Lucia + 1 complimentary spa treatment daily

CuisinArt in Anguilla + $100 resort credit

Blue Waters in Antigua

St. Kitts Marriott Resort + $50 resort credit & buffet breakfast daily

Sunset at the Palms in Negril, Jamaica

Excellence Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic

Somerset on Grace Bay + breakfast daily

Promo is valid for travel March 15 to August 31, 2010 and must be booked by February 2. Minimum nightly stays required. **Photo is the Body Holiday LeSport.

Barbados Announces 2010 Calendar of Events!

Barbados is gearing up for another action-packed year with the unveiling of its 2010 Calendar of Festivals & Events. With lively music, performing arts and film festivals, as well as exciting surfing, polo, cricket, domino, golf and horse racing tournaments throughout the year, there has never been a better reason to visit Barbados.

Hike Barbados – Starting in January, every Sunday through December Guests experience the natural beauty of Barbados by hiking through the very middle of its cane fields, gullies, tropical forests and coastal communities. Hikes are scheduled weekly and depart each Sunday morning and afternoon from different locations on the island, lasting three hours in duration. Morning hikes, departing at 6am, vary in intensity based on hikers’ experience levels and taste, starting with the two mile long “Grin and Bear”, the six mile long “Stop and Stare” and nine mile long “Medium” and “Fast Medium” treks. Afternoon hikes start at 3:30 p.m. and Moonlight Hikes begin at 5:30 p.m. and both follow the “Stop and Stare” route. Hike Barbados is a free activity, but gladly accepts donations to help the Barbados National Trust preserve the built and natural environment.

Barbados Jazz Festival –January 11-17Bringing some of the best local, national and international jazz performers to the stage, this annual event is popular with jazz aficionados and attracts music fans from all over the world. Concerts take place at various venues across the island.

See the full list here! Enjoy!

Sandpiper Barbados

With a chill in the air, the beaches of Barbados are more tempting than ever! Sugar sand and deep blue seas combined with first class amenities, makes for a perfect holiday vacation at Sandpiper Barbados.

The Sandpiper in Barbados is one of the West Indies’ most exclusive small hotels, The Sandpiper is tucked away on St James Beach, on Barbados’ west coast. Enjoy!

In case you missed it...

I gave you fair warning so really there is no excuse... but in case you missed Caribbean Travel & Life Magazine's debut on the Travel Channel with a new show "Affordable Caribbean", you're in luck! You can watch them right here! So far, they have featured Barbados, Antigua, and the Bahamas. I just learned that the British Islands, including Tortola & Virgin Gorda, will be on in early October...

Here is a sneak peak... Enjoy!

Bon Appetit Eats Caribbean!

I've said it a million times and I'll say it again... if I wasn't "in" travel, I'd be in food. So along with my monthly copies of Conde Nast and Travel & Leisure arrive Bon Appetit, Gourmet, and Cooking Light. (And soon a new foodie mag I can't wait to devour - Relish!)

What gets me really excited? When one my favorite foodie mags features the Caribbean! So run, don't walk, to newsstands now and scoop up the September issue of Bon Appetit for this great article "Caribbean Splurge & Save" (or you can just check it out right here) Enjoy as the writer takes your palate through the Bahamas, Anguilla, & Barbados!

Photo - Sit seaside and linger longer at The Fish Pot on Barbados.

Caribbean Travel & Life Magazine debuts on the Travel Channel

Caribbean Travel & Life Magazine has partnered with the Travel Channel to give viewers a glimpse of all the wonders the Caribbean has to offer in a new series called "Affordable Caribbean". The series starts this weekend, featuring Barbados! Coming soon are shows dedicated to Antigua & the Bahamas. Click HERE for more info!

Baby Gear Barbados

Baby Gear Hire is a full service baby and toddler rental agency offering safety certified, sanitized high quality products and services to the travelling parent. Their professional, friendly service will provide the best baby gear with all of the comforts of home delivered straight to your holiday accommodation. They also provide additional services such as babysitting and shopping for baby’s necessities. So travel light and use the services of Baby Gear Hire next time you visit Barbados!

Welcome to Sandy Lane...

Sandy Lane in Barbados has been welcoming guests to its posh rooms, lush grounds, and polished terraces since 1961. They have service down to a fine art, an art appreciated by their international clientele who come to relax, or to golf on one of 3 courses, or visit the first class spa...

The main swimming pool is indulgent by day....
or night...In their own words: "From our magnificent 47,000 square foot spa, nine floodlit tennis courts and 45 holes of championship golf to beachside service and an exciting children’s program we deliver exceptionally."

Book your trip to Sandy Lane today and enjoy one of the finest luxury holidays!

Once Again... the CARIBBEAN FALL SALE is here!

Save up to 70% by traveling between August 15 and December 15, 2009! Don't let these great deals pass you by - book before July 13, 2009.

A sampling of the great deals:

Barbados - 3.5-star FROM $399*
INCLUDES 5 nights, Turtle Beach Resort, all-inclusive & hotel
transfers. BONUS 2 free nights & $300 air credit per person.
Plus on-island discount & gourmet dining card, $25 Oistins Fish
Fry voucher.

Antigua - 4-star FROM $549*
INCLUDES 4 nights, The Verandah Resort & Spa, all-inclusive &
hotel transfers. BONUS save up to 50% & $100 resort credit.

St. Kitts - 4.5-star FROM $259*
INCLUDES 4 nights, St. Kitts Marriott Resort & The Royal Beach
Casino & hotel transfers. BONUS save 50%.

And introducing one of the Caribbeans newest properties... the Curacao Renaissance:

Curacao - 4.5-star FROM $299*
INCLUDES 4 nights, Renaissance Curacao Resort & Casino
& hotel transfers. BONUS save 50%.

*Rates are Per Person! Contact ME for a custom quote!

Divi Resorts Super Sale!

Check out these low, low rates from Divi Resorts! All of their resorts on are sale... and all rates are valid for travel through December 23, 2009! (holidays & blackout dates do apply)

Aruba ~

Divi Aruba Phoenix Beach Resort ~ Starting at $179 nightly

Divi Dutch Village Beach Resort ~ Starting at $124 nightly!

Divi Village Golf & Beach Resort ~ Starting at $139 nightly!

Barbados ~

Divi Heritage Beach Resort ~ Starting at $99 nightly!

Divi Southwinds Beach Resort ~ Starting at $153 nightly!

Bonaire ~

Divi Flamingo Beach Resort & Casino ~ Starting at $127 nightly!

St. Maarten ~

Divi Little Bay Beach Resort ~ Starting at $148 nightly!

St. Croix ~

Divi Carina Bay Beach Resort & Casino ~ Starting at $187 nightly!

Contact me for a custom quote!

Best of Barbados Continues!

BEST OF BARBADOS CONTINUES!

Hurry - this promotion ends on April 1, 2009!


TRAVEL: 5/1 - 7/15/09
INCLUDES Up to a $300 air credit per person, One FREE night, $100 Debit Card per
room, Barbados on-island and gourmet discount card, Daily Breakfast for 2 at EP properties.


TRAVEL: 9/1 - 9/30/09
INCLUDES Up to a $300 air credit per person, Two FREE nights, $100 Debit Card per
room, Barbados on-island and gourmet discount card, Daily Breakfast for 2 at EP properties.


TRAVEL: 10/1 - 12/17/09
INCLUDES Up to a $300 air credit per person, One FREE night, $100 Debit Card per
room, Barbados on-island and gourmet discount card, Daily Breakfast for 2 at EP properties.

PARTICIPATING HOTELS: Allamanda Beach Hotel, Almond Beach
Club & Spa, Almond Beach Village, Almond Casuarina, Amaryllis
Beach Resort, Blue Horizon, Bougainvillea Beach Resort, Colony Club,
Crystal Cove, Divi Southwinds Beach Resort, Little Arches, Mango
Bay Barbados, Silver Point Hotel, Tamarind Cove Hotel, The House,
The Savannah Hotel, Time out at the Gap Hotel, Turtle Beach Resort
Offers must be booked with round-trip airfare.

Air credits are per person, max 2 per room and actually amount varies by hotel. Offers valid for travel 5/1-7/15/09 and 9/1-12/18/09
and vary by travel period.

5-night minimum stay required for AI programs. (all-inclusive)

7-night minimum stay required for EP programs. (no meals)

Valid on new bookings only.

Two free nights for travel 9/1-9/30/09 does not apply to Little Arches or Bougainvillea Beach Resort.