BARBADOS

Barbados is an independent island nation located between the Atlantic Ocean and the Caribbean Sea.

The island covers a territory of 430 square km.

About 280,000 inhabitants.

The capital city is Bridgetown. Besides being a very lively city, it is deemed as one of the most important business centres in the whole Caribbean region. If you have the chance to have a tour in the capital, the following places are really worth visiting: the port, the area of Bayville with its typical houses, St. Michael Cathedral, the Synagogue and the Barbados Museum located in the former military prison.

Bridgetown, Speightstown, Oistins, Holetown.

International Airport Grantley Adams - Bridgetown.

The original inhabitants of Barbados were Arawak Indians, who were driven off the island around 1200 AD by the Carib Indians from Venezuela. The Caribs themselves abandoned Barbados around the time the first Europeans sailed into the region at the beginning of the XVI century. The Portuguese explorer Pedro a Campos stopped on Barbados in 1536 and named the island Los Barbados ('the bearded ones'), presumably after the island's fig trees, the long, hanging aerial roots of which have a beard-like resemblance. Captain John Powell landed on Barbados in 1625 and claimed the uninhabited island for England, thus establishing the island's first European settlement. Within a few years the colonists had cleared much of the native forests and planted tobacco, cotton and sugar beet. To meet the labour demands of the new crop, planters began to import large numbers of African slaves. Their estates were luxuriant and proved immensely profitable. But the coloured islanders did not live in good conditions, and even after the abolition of slavery they kept on working for large plantation owners, or else ended up living in shanty towns. Tension worsened during the economic depression of the 1930s, when unemployment shot upwards, living conditions deteriorated and street riots broke out. Colonists were obliged to promote reforms giving coloured inhabitants a role in such a political process. Ten years later one of those reformers, Grantley Adams, became the first premier of Barbados. The island became an independent nation in 1966. The sugar industry declined after the Second World War, but luckily the beauties of the island started attracting visitors from all over the world and tourism steadily increased its share of the island's economy, up to currently represent the main economic resource of the country.

The 30th of November - Independence Day (1966).

Independent State within the British Commonwealth. The Queen Elizabeth II is the Head of State and is represented by a Governor General.

The official language is English but inhabitants do speak also a local dialect called bajan.

67 % of the religious population is represented by Protestants, the rest being atheists (17%), Roman Catholics (4%), and other minor religions.

Five hours behind Italy, six hours behind when in Italy the Daylight Saving Time is in use.

Italian citizens do not need any visa for a stay up to three months, but they are required to produce a passport and a return or continuation ticket. The residence permit is affixed on the forms distributed to travellers by the airline companies. A tax of about 13 dollars has to be paid when leaving the island.

The country's monetary unit is the Barbadian Dollar.

CHECK THE CURRENCY EXCHANGE RATE

Credit cards may be used in major shops, hotels and restaurants. American Dollars are accepted everywhere.

No vaccinations are required to visit Barbados. The hospital structures, both public and private, are of good quality. Because of the presence of the dengue virus, caused by a mosquito bite, the use of repellents is recommended. Due to the high costs of the health services, before starting your trip it is advisable to underwrite an insurance policy covering possible medical expenses.

The climate is tropical and is characterized by a dry season (from December to May) and a wet season (from June to November). Temperatures range from an average low of 22°C during the cool months and an average high of 30°C during the warmest period. 
 
CHECK THE WEATHER FORECASTS IN REAL TIME

The electric current is 110V, 50Hz. It is advisable to bring an adaptor.

To call Italy from Barbados just dial 011 and the country code for Italy 39, then the Italian area code - including zero for fixed net numbers - and the number you wish to call (for example: to call a fixed net telephone number in Rome from Barbados just dial 011 39 06 26.... ; to call a mobile phone number from Barbados just dial 011 39 347 25...).
To call Barbados from Italy, dial the country code for Barbados 001246, followed by the area code without 0 and then the number you wish to call.
The GSM network works perfectly on the whole island, so we can easily use our mobile phones, but it is better to have three- or fourband phone.
As phone tariffs vary according to the service provider, it is advisable to get informed about costs before the departure, in order to avoid unpleasant surprises at home.

There are no restrictions to take pictures or make amateur videos for private use. As in any other country, it is advisable to politely ask local people for their permission before taking pictures of them.

Shopping in Barbados may be really profitable thanks to the several duty-free shops both at the airport and in the ports where prices may be up to 30% - 50% lower if compared to the European and U.S. levels. That is why Barbados is also known as the "Tax Free Heaven" of the Eastern Caribbean. Just have a look in the capital, where many department stores located in "Broad Street" offer duty-free articles. There are also many jewellery retailers, such as Diamonds International, The Royal Shop, The Colombian Jewel, Little Switzerland and Colombian Emerald International. Obviously, duty-free shops are to be found not only in Bridgetown, but also in other cities of the island. Visitors are required to show their passport and their air or sea ticket in order to buy tax free items.
Barbados has also a top-quality handicraft. At "The Pelican Craft Centre" of the capital there are many craft workshops where artisans work with metal, wood, glass, straw, and jewels with semiprecious stones. Batik is much widespread, as well: this technique consists of applying melted wax to cloth before being dipped in dye, and is used on fabrics, clothes, or else tapestries to be hung in the living room. If you like local street markets, do no miss the 'Cheapside Market', lively and colourful especially on Sunday morning. Also the nearby 'Temple Yard' is worth visiting and photographing: its stalls are managed by rasta people selling wooden and leather articles.

Barbadian cuisine is simple and wholesome, mainly based on dishes made of roasted fish and served with beans, rice, spicy or coconut sauces. The widespread "flying fish" is usually fried, grilled or stewed. Other specialties are soups, shellfish, and seafood. If you want to try another typical dish, taste the "conkies", pies steamed in banana leaves and prepared with pumpkin, coconut, maize flour and raisins. The African "cous cous" is to be found in many restaurants. Tropical fruit is excellent here: coconuts, mangos, papayas, small bananas and avocados. The most famous alcoholic drink is rum, both light and dark: the production and sale of this liqueur is the second source of incomes of the country, just after tourism.

The most celebrated music event in Barbados is the jazz festival, an happening that gathers international jazz stars and personalities every year. More in general, the island offers a great variety of places where it is possible to hear live music or dance reggae rhythms.

Nightlife iN Barbados is extremely lively all the year round, thus being the ideal destination for night-birds. To fully enjoy the real Barbadian atmosphere, it is advisable to have an afternoon siesta, to have dinner late and not to go out before 10 pm, or better 11 pm. If you want to go back to the hotel and you do not remember perfectly how to reach it, do not worry: you will easily find a taxi near the most important tourist areas. Night rates are higher, but it is better not to run any risk. It is rather difficult to suggest specific places, because it depends on your tastes and desires. One of the most popular nightclubs in the island is the Harbour Lights in Bridgetown, an open bar located right opposite the beach: a stunning place where to dance under the moon. But also the Waterfront Café is worth visiting, with live music performed by local bands. If you prefer to have dinner and a funny after dinner in the same place, then go to the Shak Shak, where you will have the opportunity to enjoy live entertainment almost every day. For those who want to spend a romantic evening, we suggest the Casbah Nightclub, built in Moorish style, with live jazz music and a breathtaking view.

The religious feasts are those included in the traditional Christian Catholic calendar: Easter, Good Friday and Easter Monday, with dates varying from year to year; Christmas, on the 25th of December; Boxing Day on the 26th of December. The most important civil celebrations are: Errol Barrow Day, on the 21st of January; Heroes Day, on the 28th of April; Labour Day, on the 1st of May; Emancipation Day, on the 1st of August; Kadooment Day, on the first Sunday in August; Independence Day, on the 30th of November.

Easter is a festival particularly celebrated on the island. On Resurrection Sunday people go to church wearing multi-coloured clothes, often sewn for that special occasion, and amazing hats. They tune up songs and praise God by taking active part to the religious service. As soon as the Mass is over, all of them gather in the square to have a pastry (a traditional sweet roll) and to chat with relatives and friends. Children look forward to going back home and open their Easter eggs, as in any other country in the world. The lunch represents the climax of the day, therefore it is prepared in advance: on this occasion women serve traditional food, mainly based on pork, beef, chicken or lamb meat. The most typical dishes are taros with butter sauce, sweet potatoes pies, breadfruits, empanadas with macaroni, rice and peas, served with pumpkin pancakes and banana fritters. Juniper brandy, marc spirit or the classic rum match them. Also restaurants and hotels usually prepare Easter lunch for their guests. On Easter Monday many go picnicking on the beach or in the parks. You may even enjoy a nice kite competition in the Garrison Savannah.
Fishermen are celebrated in Oistins during the Fish Festival, an event full of games where you may eat fried fish and chicken, fish pasties and deliciousness of any kind. The bravest ones challenge each other on the 3.5-meter-high greasy pole in order to win the prize on top of it.

...the 'Run Punch' was the liqueur most loved by the local plantation owners? They used to sip it as aperitif at the end of the working day. It became so popular that during the 18th century it was preferred even to gin. According to the old recipe, the rum used for such a drink undergoes a special fermentation process and is preserved in wooden barrels. It is still one of the most common cocktails in the country. Here you are the ingredients to prepare an excellent 'Punch rum': a part of acrid ingredient - usually lime, two parts of sweet ingredient - usually cane sugar or its extract, three parts of rum and four parts of water.

1) Bridgetown, the capital city
2) Careenage, a long and narrow bay
3) Queen's Park, the ideal place for a picnic
4) Baxter's Road, for those who love shopping
5) Holetown, the oldest city in Barbados.
6) Sam Lord Castle, famous for the "legend of the lanterns"
7) St Lawrence, about 15 km south-east of Bridgetown, and the Dover Beach
8) The Sunbury farmhouse, still furnished in farmer's style
9) Flower Forest, 20 hectares of tropical vegetation and winding paths.
10) Barbados Wildlife Riserve, a small zoo safari about 25 km far from Bridgetown.

1) Snorkelling in Paynes Bay, Sandy Bay and Mullins Bay.
2) Bodysurf in Crane Beach, just for skilled swimmers.
3) Diving in the western coast of Barbados, with its cliffs rich in corals, gorgoniae, colourful sponges, and tens of wrecks.
4) Windsurfing in Maxwell and in Silver Sands, surfing in Soup Bowl, South Point and Rockley Beach.
5) Horse riding excursions on the Mullins Bay beach.

- Water - It is advisable to drink sealed bottled water or canned drinks, and to avoid eating raw foods, thus choosing only cooked foods as dysentery is rather common.
- Not to forget - High-protection solar creams and anti-mosquito repellents.

- Tips - Tips are highly appreciated everywhere, but here they are almost compulsory.

- Safety - As in any other tourist destination, petty urban crime is present. Nevertheless, the land is rather safe.

Italian consular office in Barbados

Embassy of Barbados not present in Italy

Embassy of Barbados in Belgium
100, Av. Franklin Roosevelt - Bruxelles (Belgium)
Phone: (+32) 2 7321 737 - 7321 867
Fax: (+32) 2 7323 266
E-mail: ommerci@foreign.gov.bb
www.barbados.org
www.barbadosturismo.it

Competent Embassy of Italy: VENEZUELA
Calle Sorocaima entre Av.Tamanaco y Venezuela -El Rosal - Caracas (Venezuela)
Phone: (+58) 212 9527 311
Fax: (+58) 212 9524 960
E-mail: ambcaracas@esteri.it 
www.ambcaracas.esteri.it/Ambasciata_Caracas