Barbados is a land of pristine sandy beaches stretching lazily under the rays of the tropical sun. Although there are several fun and entertaining activities available on the island, there are five that top the list.

1. The main attractions of the island are the beaches that liberally adorn its coastline. A trip to the beach is a must for every visitor to Barbados. Statistically, the beaches account for a staggering 70 miles of the coastline. The beaches of Barbados are grouped according to locations: north, south, east and west coast. Barbados offer travellers a beach for every kind of activity one could wish to indulge in; for those seeking to relax under the Caribbean rays where the waves are gentle, the West coast beaches are the best choice. As a general rule of thumb the beaches on the west coast are best for families with small children, and as one moves further to the north or south beaches, travellers are sure to find water sports and fun activities in abundance.

2. The second fun activity in Barbados is the underwater tours that the island offers. The flora and fauna beneath the surface of the ocean defy belief with their shapes and colour. Some exotic species that can be seen include the green turtles and parrot fish. Also, there are coral reefs to marvel at, and relics of old ships resting on the bed of the ocean. Wrecks are best seen in Carlisle Bay, and diving in the S. S. Stavronikita is sure to be an unforgettable experience for divers. For non-divers, there are submersible tours to take one through the mysterious depths.

3. Crop over, Barbados’ largest, loudest and most popular summer festival is a five week party event held annually on the island dating back to the 1780s, a time when the island was one of the largest sugar producers in the world. At the end of the sugar cane harvest there was always a huge party to commemorate the successful season. The tradition continues today with the ceremonial delivery of the year’s sugar cane and the crowning of the carnival King and Queen. This five week event is packed with thousands of revelers from around the world who enjoy the mix of live music, dancing carnival, markets, cultural presentations and much more! When? 07/03/2010 – 08/02/2010

4. This November Barbados you can enjoy delectable food, exceptional wine and rum over four fun filled days. The Food & Wine and Rum festival will bring together the Caribbean’s finest food, wine, rum & culture; all framed by the beauty of the most luxurious and desirable destinations! When? November 19, 2010 – November 22, 2010

5. There are two caves that must be visited by all adventure lovers in Barbados; namely, Animal Flower Cave and Harrison’s Cave. The first is situated along the cliffs, near the northern edge of the island. It is a study in natural history and geology and has a great deal of local folklore associated with it as well. The cave’s appellation is derived from its numerous sea anemones, locally known as animal flowers. Harrison’s Cave is only accessible using specially designed transport and has majestic stalagmites and stalactites in its caverns.

Orson Johnson – Holiday Velvet, a website providing Barbados holiday rentals and Holiday and Vacation Rentals.

Become a Caribbean destination Travel Buddy at Caribbean Travel & Leisure

Are you interested in becoming a Caribbean destination Travel buddy at Caribbean Travel & Leisure? Start participating frequently in our forums and give detailed, helpful advice to travelers. Help us set the right tone by discouraging members from arguing or treating the forum as a chat room.

We monitor forums in search of Travel Buddies, but you’re also welcome to shoot us an email and nominate yourself. Include the following info in your email: which island forum you’d like to be a Travel Buddy for; whether or not you live on that island, or if you’re a frequent visitor; why you would like to become a Travel Buddy for Caribbean Travel & Leisure; and what you consider to be your particular “area of expertise” (i.e. historical sites, beaches, culture, transportation, etc…).

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Avid bird watchers need look no further than Jamaica to discover the allure of exotic bird species. From the cool forested peaks of the Blue Mountains to the unforgettable charm of the lush, enchanting parish of Port Antonio, the island is endowed with a number of off-the-beaten-track vantage points to witness captivating endemic birds in their natural habitat.

“Jamaica is a sanctuary for bird watchers and nature enthusiasts alike who celebrate wildlife and find peace in the simplicities of outdoor adventures,” said John Lynch, Jamaica’s Director of Tourism. “The island’s rustic charm is undeniable and visitors will enjoy discovering the stunning species of birds which are unique to Jamaica.”

Jamaica has an eclectic collection of over 200 resident and migratory bird species including more endemic species than any other Caribbean Island. An enticing treat for birders is the thrill of encountering these 28 species and 21 subspecies of birds, such as the Jamaican Owl, Jamaican Mango, Jamaican Becard and Jamaican Tody, which are found nowhere else in the world. Visitors yearning to set their sights on these majestic creatures can escape to Jamaica any time of the year, but the ideal bird watching takes place between December and June when the varied and colorful North American migrants abound.

Guided bird watching tours are available for passionate birders. Local expert birding guides will help visitors navigate prominent birding hotspots across the island in search of Jamaica’s spirited species.

Many of the endemic species can be encountered in the Blue & John Crow Mountains National Park, Abbey Green, Hardwar Gap, Ecclesdown and many other densely forested areas on the island. Bird watchers yearning for an up-close-and-personal experience can visit Rocklands Feeding Station, located just outside the resort area of Montego Bay, where bold birds will perch on your finger tip to sip sweet nectar.

For more information on bird watching and the various hot spots in Jamaica, go to www.visitjamaica.com, or call 1-800-JAMAICA (1-800-526-2422).

Visit our Guide to Jamaica

Images belong to their respective owners; each individual hotel.

Going on a Caribbean cruise vacation can be a great way to satisfy your travel bug this year. The best part of a cruise is that your travel accommodations, hotel, and entertainment are all wrapped up in one! Cruises take you to new and exciting places and you get to meet lots of interesting people along the way.

If you want to have an unforgettable vacation, a trip to Aruba, one of the remarkable islands in the Caribbean, may be at the top of your list. Aruba vacations are becoming more and more appealing for many reasons.

Aruba vacations offer diverse and vast activities, everything from casinos to scuba diving, and the magnificent beaches of Aruba dotted with palm and divi divi trees, wonderful desert landscapes and exquisite rock formations are something to behold. The people of Aruba are so warm and friendly and will go out of their way to make visitors feel welcome.

Early European colonizers hardly touched Aruba because they were discouraged by its desert landscapes and unaware of the riches the island possesses. Today’s Aruba vacationer will be astonished by the same serene atmosphere that Aruba’s history offers. Truly, visitors will be struck by the island’s peace and tranquility.

Aruban Festivals:

Arubans are renowned for their entertaining, carefree festivals and events. Aruba vacations present exciting events for everyone from the single tourist to families with children. You can enjoy the food and drinks offered at most of the festivals and you’ll be surprised with all the cunning souvenirs that will catch your eye. One thing is for sure, you will truly enjoy your Aruban festival experience.

Aruba vacations offer weekly festivals which include the Bon bini Festival that happens every Tuesday evening, rain or shine from 6:30 to 8:30. Bon bini means “welcome” in Papiamento and this is really the perfect description of this enthusiastic atmosphere of this festival. It showcases Aruba’s most startling artists from the steel drum musicians and dancers that exude their talents to local artists and craftsmen who show off their very best wares. The admission to this event is usually around 3 US dollars and food and drink are extra.

Like the Bon bini Festival, One Cool Summer also features local artists and talents. This festival is held every Wednesday from 6pm to 8pm near the Hyatt Regency Resort and Casino which focuses on live entertainment and music.

Aruba also offers the Caribbean Festival which is held every Thursday from 5pm to 8:30pm. It highlights the Caribbean cultural heritage and features the traditional dance, music, art and food. This festival starts with music and dance performances continues through the open air street market and ends with a presentation on the Caribbean Culture at the St. Teresita Center.

Every year, Aruba celebrates Carnival, an extravagant, two week festival of whimsical parties, dinners, parades and events. It begins with two children’s parades and festivals before kicking it up a notch.

The initial Grand Carnival parade took place in San Nicolas and the second parade in Oranjestad. These parades both featured amazing handmade floats and costumes, enjoyable Aruban song and dance and awesome food and drinks. This event will be concluded simultaneously in San Nicolas and in Oranjestad with the Old Mask Parade and the Burning of King Momo.

Definitely, your stay in Aruba will be one of the most memorable one with all the fun and excitement that this amazing place offers. Whether you want to come to enjoy the relaxing beaches of Aruba or take part in the action of the festivals, you just can’t beat it. And, as you can see, staying right in Oranjestad may be a good option for you.

Accommodations for your visit do not have to be costly. In fact, that can be one area you save money, thus leaving more to spend on entertainment during your vacation.

You can stay 7 nights and 8 days for as little as $298 to $799 through a highly sought after luxury travel club membership allowing vacationers to save literally thousands on worldwide travel for life. Here’s a list of these Aruba resorts, of course subject to change.

Aruba Beach Club – Oranjestad, Caribbean Palm Village – Oranjestad, Casa Del Mar Beach Resort – Oranjestad, Costa Linda Beach Resort – Oranjestad, Diva Aruba Phoenix Beach Resort – Oranjestad, Divi Dutch Village – Oranjestad, La Quinta Beach Resort – Oranjestad, Le Chateau Aruba – Oranjestad, Paradise Beach Villas – Oranjestad, Playa Linda Beach Resort – Oranjestad, Quality Apartments – Aruba

Images courtesy the © Aruba Tourism Authority.

Author: dturner For details on the extraordinary luxury travel club membership and/or business opportunity, please visit http://www.grnreport.com