Cruise > The Island With the Most Return Visitors

The Island With the Most Return Visitors

by: Linda Thompkins

Fourteen years ago, my husband and I visited the island of Barbados on a cruise ship. Barbados is the farthest island of the Caribbean chain, and once we stepped off the ship, our love affair with the island started.

Being a travel consultant, I had read up on the island, and the images of "flying fish" and "green monkeys" stirred my imagination. Also the fact that there is nothing but water separating Barbados and the coast of Africa meant we were going to truly be in the West Indies, and close to the equator. That alone was enough for a sun and beach lover!

When our ship docked, we opted to take an island cruise via taxi. Four hours later, we had covered the island's coastline from the calm waters of the west coast on the Caribbean Sea, to the raging Atlantic coast on the east, and the lively south coast. You just have to love an island that offers a completely different experience on all coasts. When the cruise ship pulled out to sea, I can remember having a longing for an island that I had only experienced for a day.

Upon returning home, we started planning a land based trip to the island. Being a beach lover, we made reservations for the next year on west coast of the island. I remembered the water being glassy calm, and longed to spend lazy days at the beach. The west coast attracts the rich and famous, and is home to fabulous homes, hotels and villas. This coastline is located on the Caribbean Sea, and the water is perfect for snorkeling and swimming. Fine dining is a fact of life, and Barbados is known for some of the best restaurants in the world.

As we started to meet other vacationers, we quickly learned that most of them had been to the island many times before. I found this unusual, since most Caribbean vacationers opt to experience new islands. What was even more surprising, many of the English and Canadian visitors spend the entire winter season on the island every year. It certainly made us "short termers" with our two week vacation.

My curiosity about these long term repeat vacations prompted me to ask why they returned year after year. Their answers centered around the friendly locals, variety of lodging that caters to long term visitors, sunny weather, great food and a standard of living that is conducive to making the island a second winter home.

After a week of being beach bums, we ventured out to the southern coast, and found the St Lawrence Gap. As we walked the mile long Gap area, I knew this would be our future spot on the island each year. The west coast is rather sedate, and spread out compared to the lively south coast. We found more than 20 restaurants, hotels, nightclubs, shopping, and a great beach all in one area. We could hardly contain ourselves til next years vacation. The love affair with Barbados was in full swing.

Thirteen years later, we are still in love. The same driver picks us up at the airport each year, and welcomes us back home. As timeshare members, we have made many friends over the years. Who would have thought that fourteen years ago we would have English, Canadian, Danish and Bajan friends that we keep in touch with throughout the year, and can't wait to see each winter season.

As soon as winter hits here in the Midwest, I have thoughts of eating flying fish and seeing the green monkeys playing outside our balcony in the morning. Do the fish really fly? Well, they skim over the water, and they do have wings. Are the monkeys really green? Their color could best be described as a combination of green, brown and yellow.

The real reality is the sun shines brighter, the water is like a warm bath, and some of the most friendly people occupy this 160 mile paradise. I feel safe there, and unfortunately gain weight each year eating great food from one side of the island to the other. And when I get a travel request for Barbados, I can hardly contain my excitement telling a client all the inns and outs of the island.

This is a brief story about a love affair with an island, and its people. At times I feel guilty about not having the same feeling about the other islands I've visited in the Caribbean. After all, I am a Caribbean travel consultant, and I am not supposed to be partial to just one island. I love all of the Caribbean islands, but I'm in love with Barbados.

If your curosity is peaked after reading this article, then be advised after one visit, your future travel plans may head you back to the island with the most return visitors.

About The Author

Linda Thompkins is a Caribbean Travel Consultant and owner of Travel 2 the Caribbean Online Agency. Linda has been in business for over seven years, has traveled extensively throughout the Caribbean, and also manages two travel blogs.

Visit the site at: http://www.travel2thecaribbean.com.

Hawaii Vacations: 7 Great 4-Star Hotels

Hawaii Vacations: 7 Great 4-Star Hotels

by: Donna Monday

Here?s several 4-Star Hawaiian hotels that offer first-class accommodations and beach front views.

Sheraton Moana Surfrider ? This historic hotel has been lovingly restored and maintains it?s circa 1901 charm. Located on Waikiki beach, it offers high tea and sunset buffets.

Waikiki Beach Marriott Resort and Spa ? Located right across the street from Waikiki beach. It?s also within walking distance to attractions such as: Diamond Head, Kapiolani Park, Honolulu Zoo, and Waikiki Aquarium. Features a restaurant with live Hawaiian music and a health spa.

The Outrigger Waikiki on the Beach ? Right in the middle of Waikiki Beach, it?s close to restaurants, shops, and entertainment activities. Has high-speed Internet access and art by Hawaiian artists.

Hilton Hawaiian Village Beach Resort & Spa ? Beachfront hotel featuring lush tropical gardens, ponds, waterfalls, health spa,...

Hawaii Vacations: 7 Great 4-Star Hotels

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Find What You Need To Compare Caribbean Cruises

Find What You Need To Compare Caribbean Cruises

by: J Herrera

So finally you can take a breath and rest from your job for a couple of weeks or so, but now there is a decision to make: what to do? Well maybe it is not as hard as you thought but your next decision certainly will be hard. Let?s say that you decided to take a cruise as you use to, but now you will be wondering?..which one can I choose? If you are wondering this it is because you don?t have enough information to compare caribbean cruises or about the destinies you could go to make a choice, or maybe there are several options that you are missing because you have not even seen or heard about them. Maybe the best vacation of your life is out there and you do not even know it.

Has this happened to you every time you want to take a cruise? Your cruise vacations have been boring or the places you met did not have what you were expecting? Well, now this will worry or bother you no more....

Find What You Need To Compare Caribbean Cruises

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To Cruise Or Not To Cruise?

by: Kathryn Whittaker

There is a saying: you haven't lived until you've cruised. Cruises today have become the hottest way to spend holidays. Researchers have found that one in four Americans dreams of cruising around the world. In recent years, discount cruises make cruising available to people of all ages and all levels of income.

What makes a great cruise vacation? First-rate accommodations, exotic locations, sumptuous meals, world-class entertainment, and top-notch facilities ? all that for less money. All these features are included in a cruise package even a discount one. You can relax, get pampered, and discover new countries without the stress and jet lag most people experience during vacations abroad.

Research shows that today when picking a way to spend a vacation, people search for something that is drastically different from their everyday life. They seek to completely change the way of living ? at...

To Cruise Or Not To Cruise?

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The Best Romantic Vacations - Five Ideas

The Best Romantic Vacations - Five Ideas

by: Steve Gillman

The best romantic vacations are those that bring a couple together. This can mean spending time alone, without friends or family around. It can also mean an opportunity to do things together. Here are five of the best romantic vacations.

Beach Vacations

Beaches are romantic. The sun, sand, and the sound of the waves relax you and take away the stress and worry of "everyday life." Relaxation and escaping stress is always better for romance. Find a place that is ON the beach, not a hotel miles from the beach. Dealing with traffic, packing and unpacking the car is not romantic.

If you are on a budget, you can do like we did in northern Florida. We stayed in our conversion van at a campground on the beach. We collected shells together, flew a kite in the breeze and took our chairs down by the water to watch the sunset. The beaches of the great lakes are another great place to...

The Best Romantic Vacations - Five Ideas

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Hello from Cuba (16) - The Final Day

by: Susanne Pacher

My god, how time flies.... I have now been back from Cuba for close to 10 days, and my reentry into the business world has been the usual: tons of projects to catch up on, accounting stuff to be taken care off, marketing strategies to be worked out, etc. etc. As a result I didn't have time yet to tell you about my final day in Cuba and my reflections and insights after my return.

On Friday afternoon I checked out the Plaza de la Revolucion, which is the seat of the Fidel Castro's government and the seat of the "Comite Central" of his communist party. It is a large square that is usually used for political rallies and speeches and the two most distinguishing features are a huge image of Che Guevara on a building on the west side of the square, as well as the memorial to Jose Marti which is composed of an obelisk-like tower and a huge statue of the national hero. The Plaza de la Revolucion...

Hello from Cuba (16) - The Final Day

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The Right Way to Lose Weight

by: Scott Bianchi

Many of us Americans are impatient people. We decide we want something and that means we have to have it NOW. This explains the reason for the average credit card debt being close to $9000, people over-extending themselves to buy bigger and nicer cars than they can really afford, and so on. The same theory holds true for losing weight.

New Year?s is just days away as I write this and people are going to...

The Right Way to Lose Weight exercise

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How to Select Art for Your Home

by: Lynne Taetzsch

Selecting art for your home can be an exciting adventure and a source of enjoyment for years to come. Keys to success are figuring out what kind of art you like, how it will fit in with the rest of your interior design plans, and how to exhibit the art to the best effect in your home.

What kind of art do you like?

There are many opportunities to browse art within your community at local exhibitions,...

How to Select Art for Your Home The Island With the Most Return Visitors

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Parents Provide Biggest Role In Success Of Children

by: Jeannine Virtue

In a world where we, as adults, are stressed to the maximum, it makes sense that our children are also living very demanding lives. With most jobs requiring a college degree, the pressure to succeed is more prominent than ever. Children with such disabilities as ADD or ADHD may feel particularly bombarded by stress and anxiety.

Even children who do not suffer from neurological challenges...

Parents Provide Biggest Role In Success Of Children student loans The Island With the Most Return Visitors Cruise

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Dish Network Digital Video Recorder

by: John aRichardson

Dish Network is the number-one digital satellite TV service provider in the nation, bringing customers the best in digital satellite television, including the widest range of channels - more than 250 -- the most advanced equipment for home theater, and great special offers for new and existing subscribers. Serving 12 million viewers, Dishnetwork Satellite TV represents the perfect combination of customer...

Dish Network Digital Video Recorder The Island With the Most Return Visitors

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How to "Theme" Your Kid Party

by: Chris Yates

Planning a children's party can be a little overwhelming... even scary. After all, throwing a great party is something your child will remember for a long lime. On the other hand, if the party bombs they will NEVER forget it.

The easiest way to ensure a successful party is to build it around one central theme.

A theme will allow you to integrate all the different elements of the party, it will point you...

How to "Theme" Your Kid Party The Island With the Most Return Visitors Cruise pool table

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