Onsite Review: 5 Unmissable 'Beyond the Beach' Experiences in Barbados

Recommend Standard Image Template5 Unmissable 'Beyond the Beach' Experiences in BarbadosBy Lydia GregoryDon’t get us wrong: This tiny island nation has more than its fair share of spectacular beaches, but there’s way more to it than sand and sun. Here is a (very) short list of “unmissables” in Barbados, if only to pique your client’s interest in booking a vacation to visit the birthplace of rum—and megastar Rhianna.1. Have a sip at Mount Gay Distillery: Founded in 1703, the Mount Gay Distillery is the oldest continuously functioning rum distillery in the world. Even if your clients prefer a clearer spirit, a visit here is warranted if only for its 300-year-old history. Of course, rum lovers will thoroughly enjoy any of the iterations of the tours, from the sweet and savory pairings with gourmet chocolates to the cocktail workshop led by an award-winning mixologist or a premium rum flight experience for deeper immersion.2. Join the fish fry at Oistins Bay Gardens: Barbados has been dubbed the “Culinary Capital of the Caribbean” for good reason: The autumn Barbados Food & Rum Festival is on many foodies’ bucket list. Any time of year, though, tradition says a visit to Oistins for a Friday night fish fry is a must. From flying fish to mahi-mahi to tuna, marlin and swordfish, if it can be fried, it’s on your plate. That goes for lobster and chicken, too, and it’s all cooked right out in the open and served piping hot. It’s as informal as it gets and may or may not include a sort of talent show on the stage and a few dozen artisan vendor stalls in the back. 3. Swim with a view at Animal Flower Cave: At Animal Flower Cave, which is named after the sea anemones that flourish in the cave’s shallower pools, visitors can climb the coral steps to enjoy breathtaking views of the ocean from the top—in wintertime, one can even catch glimpses of humpback whales cavorting in the deep blue water. Swimming is allowed in the deeper pools, which are constantly refreshed by the waves. Guided tours are available—no reservations needed or can even be made—plus there’s a dog-friendly cliffside restaurant with a view, a playground for the kiddos, a snack bar, a lookout point and a hiking trail along the cliff. It’s in a bit of a remote area, so recommend clients take a car over public transportation.4. Celebrate life at a festival: Bajans know how to have a good time and they have plenty of festivals to choose from. There’s the Holetown Festival (street parties, food, arts, crafts in February), Sandy Lane Gold Cup (horse racing, polo and more in February, early March), Vujaday Music Festival (electronic dance music, April), Barbados Reggae Festival (April), Soca on De Hill (July), Crop Over Festival (a can’t-miss that celebrates the end of the sugar cane crop season, July-August), Kadooment Day (marking the end of Crop Over in August), the aforementioned Barbados Food & Rum Festival (October), Barbados Jazz Festival (October), Classical Pops (December), Barbados Jazz Excursion (October).... That’s just to name a few! 5. Zip along at Harrison’s Cave Eco-Adventure Park: This is a variegated dose of fun. The more adventurous can zip through the trees on the Monkey Zipline (very safely, with helmets and all the necessary precautions) and clamber through the Gully Challenge Course, while the more sedate can try out the Rum Experience (also good after the zipline, “wink, wink”), and everyone can hop aboard the Signature Tram Tour to check out the crystallized limestone formations and the underground streams and pools, followed by snacks and libations at the Green Monkey Bar & Grill. There’s also a nature trail—be sure to recommend purchasing a small bag of bird feed as the love birds and other feathered friends will flock to the bearer of feed (it makes for a great photo-op). There are several different packages available to delight just about everyone. Contact InformationBarbados Tourism Marketing, Inc.: visitbarbados.org
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