At only 21 miles long Barbados is little more than a pinprick on the map, but this is an island that punches above its weight. With a reputation as a playground for the rich and shameless that is well founded and hard won, it’s become the de rigeur destination for the it-crowd, and we’re used to viewing the latest media darling frolicking on the island’s platinum sands or playing the immaculate fairways through the long-lens of the gossip columns. It’s no surprise that Concorde retired here to live out the rest of its days in the sun.

But get past the celebrity sheen and there is so much else to enjoy. Sipping potent rum-based cocktails in a beach-side bar; listening to calypso beats and liming with the laid-back locals; beach cricket on the powder-soft sands; griddled seafood pulled straight from the ocean; high tea served on pristine linens… it’s this mix of Caribbean charm with colonial gentility, soporific relaxation yet pulsing night-life that are all part of the Bajan lifestyle. Throw in some of the best beaches in the western hemisphere, fine dining good enough to make a restaurant critic weep and a relatively undiscovered and rugged east coast and you can see that this little slice of paradise adds up to more than the sum of its parts.

At Caribtours we certainly think so. We’ve been selling Barbados for more years than we care to mention and it stubbornly refuses to be dislodged from the top of our sales charts. We have clients that return year after year who wouldn’t consider going anywhere else for their two weeks in the sun. It’s where our MD took his family last year and where many of our staff choose to spend their own holidays. Yes, we can wax lyrical about Barbados ad nauseam… which is probably what you’d be expecting us to do.

However, to prove that it is not just us who think this is the ideal holiday destination, we took a small group of travel agents to Barbados to get their view. These are seasoned, gimlet-eyed travel gurus, consummate professionals who have experienced the best that the world of luxury travel has to offer. They have demanding clients and need to know a destination in-depth, warts and all, so they can be absolutely confident in their recommendations. Nothing gets past them and they expect the only the best. This is what they thought of Barbados…

“It literally took my breath away, I have never been to the Caribbean and this was an excellent introduction. One of the main things for me was seeing that it is so easy to get around the island and eat and drink without it costing the Earth. The beaches were like nothing I have ever seen before and I can’t wait to start selling this destination.”
Marie O’Callaghan, Travel Centre

“Stunning. Overall excellent accommodation and the most friendly of hosts, business & locals I have ever met. Beautiful beaches with everything for couples & families alike. Towns and restaurants accessible from all resorts visited. A delight…. Will go back!
Jo Cockram, World Odyssey

“Loved it! Always felt safe and found most Bajans to be very friendly. Suits all types of client whether on a budget or high end luxury”
Graham Finch-Parsons, Travel Counsellors

So don’t just take our word for it, Barbados really could be your perfect destination.