Barbados

Barbados

The Caribbean is one of the world's most popular vacation destinations, and Barbados is one of the reasons why it is so. An enchanting Caribbean island, it continues to beckon travelers from far and near.

Barbados is known as the Caribbean's Little England. Its closest neighbor is about one hundred miles away. Thus, when the other islands in the Caribbean were being fought over by the French, Dutch, Spaniards, and others, Barbados maintained its being British.

The United States' first president, George Washington, had one of the most disastrous experiences in Barbados in 1751. Allegedly, it is where he contracted smallpox and where his half-brother died. From then on, George Washington refused to travel overseas once more.

People with African descent comprise 90% of the population of Barbados, the Asian/mixed takes up 6%, while those with European descent makes up 4%. Forty percent of the total population are Anglicans, while the remainder are Roman Catholics, Moravians, Baptists, or Methodists. It has a consistently low population growth since the 60's at only 1%, mainly because of the extensive efforts in family planning and the high rate of emigrants.

Since Barbados remained British throughout the years, it has comfortably lived up to the British traditional conservative way of dressing. Casual, tropical clothes dictate the daytime, while evenings call for a more dress-up look. Men are expected to wear pants with their collared shirts, while women don their skirts or dresses to dinner.

The locals, known as either Bajans or Barbadians, are often seen in their business casuals. Men wearing ties and jackets are a familiar look in the city. Barbados, however tempting its beaches are, do not encourage beach attire outside the resorts. Swimwear worn while shopping is considered inappropriate.

Hotels in Barbados abound. And your choice depends on how much you are willing to spend. Accommodations available can be classified into three "price-categories", namely: budget, moderate, and expensive. Dining is not a problem either. There are a lot of restaurants in Barbados that choosing from among these can be a bit overwhelming. Fortunately, most hotels provide a list of the island's restaurants, along with the description and prices of their menu.

A visit to Barbados will give you more than just a nice tan. Numerous beach and non-beach related activities are definitely going to take up some of your vacation time. However, the good news is -- every single one of them is really well worth it.