The Famous Crop Over Festival Starts Today!

What is ‘Crop Over’ Festival?

Beautiful costumes, big smiles and bursting with colour!

Crop over is Barbados’, and arguably the Caribbean’s, biggest and most popular festival. Bursting with colour, dancing and music this festival really is full of life and is a highlight of the summer. This momentous celebrations origins trace back to the 1780s, a time when Barbados was the World’s largest producer of sugar.

The festival attracts thousands of visitors to dance through the streets

There was always a huge party at the end of the sugar season to mark the culmination of another successful sugar cane harvest – Crop Over! Unfortunately during the 1940’s the sugar industry in Barbados declined and the festival along with it, terminating completely.

However, Crop Over was revived in 1974, bigger than ever to include other elements of Bajan culture to create a more extravagant celebration which now attracts thousands of people from all around the World. 

Barbados born Rihanna attends every year

To read more about the dates, events and traditions visit www.barbados.org

5 ''Must Do’s'' In Barbados

Number 1 – Hire a Car

At 21 miles long, and 14 miles wide, it’s not difficult to find a way around this beautiful island, however the best way to travel in Barbados is by car, this allows you to take in the spectacular, unspoilt natural beauty, and if you get lost, you can always ask the friendly locals – they’re very accommodating.

Number 2 – Snorkel

With crystal clear waters, and plenty to see it’s the perfect place to go snorkelling. Tropical fish, turtles and colourful corals, the calm waters along the western coastline are particularly perfect. For those who aren’t water babies, you don’t have to go far beneath the waves to explore the ocean. 

Number 3 – Rum Punch

The saying in Barbados is;

1 part sour

2 parts sweet

3 of strong

4 of weak

Be sure to taste the islands’ delicious rum punch. You won’t be disappointed. It tastes so good, you often forget what you’re drinking!

Number 4 – Wildlife Reserve

Visit The Barbados Wildlife Reserve, it gives you a unique opportunity to stroll free watching the animals in their natural environment. The Green Monkeys are a very popular attraction, as they are undeniably cute, with a brown greyish colour they have highlights of yellow and green which makes their overall appearance green. Here you will see various animals from birds to reptiles, it’s perfect with the whole family, in particular children!

Number 5 - The National Dish

Try Barbados’ national dish; cou cou and flying fish, is a local delicacy. The fish is rolled and stewed down in a delicious gravy with herbs, tomatoes, garlic, onions and butter. Cou cou is made with yellow corn meal with finely chopped okras, water and butter. Barbadians love their food, this is displayed in there wonderfully unique dishes. 

Elegant Address Barbados Travel Guide: How to Beat Jetlag

Jetlag: A disturbed sleep pattern, weakness and disorientation caused by travelling.

For those who are worried about it ruining the first few days of their dream long haul trip, don’t worry we have created a helpful guide for before and during your travels to help hugely reduce the effects of jetlag.

Before you travel

Change your sleep routine – People with rigid schedules suffer the most with jetlag. It’s best to be prepared and start getting your body used to gentle changes in sleep instead of a large leap. If you are travelling east go to bed earlier and if you’re headed west go to bed later.

Be smart with your flights – Get two holidays in one! Try to find a mid-way stopover as this will give your body more time to adjust and adapt. If this is inconvenient, plan your flights so you arrive in daylight since you will feel more like staying awake and fitting in with your new schedule.

On the flight

Avoid taking advantage of the trolley – As tempting as it is to start your holiday on the plane by taking advantage of mini bar trolley, the effect of alcohol at altitude increases tiredness and dehydration which will have a knock on effect to your arrival. If you are due to land at night also avoid caffeine drinks such as coffee, cola and energy drinks and instead drink plenty of water or camomile tea.

Create a sleep environment – Try to give yourself the best chance of getting to sleep by making sure you pack an eye mask and ear plugs to block out any distractions on the flight. Regular exercise during the day may also help you get to sleep later, but make sure you don’t exercise too late in the evening.

When you arrive

Anchor sleep - Try to get as much sleep in every 24 hours as you normally would. A minimum block of four hours’ sleep during the local night – known as “anchor sleep” – is thought to be necessary to help you adapt to a new time zone. If possible, make up the total sleep time by taking naps during the day.

Natural light - The cycle of light and dark is one of the most important factors in setting the body’s internal clock. Exposure to daylight at the destination will usually help you adapt to the new time zone faster. Shouldn’t be too difficult to keep to this rule whilst you’re sunbathing!