This is your final opportunity to buy tickets for our Take Flight raffle where we’re offering you the chance to win a luxury holiday to Barbados or cash prizes.

Not convinced yet? Here’s some fun facts about Barbados and why it should be at the top of your travel wishlist:

1. Birthplace of Global Icon Rihanna

Barbados is the proud home of international popstar Rihanna. She was born and raised in Bridgetown, and in 2021 was declared a national hero of Barbados. Walk in her footsteps, and visit the street she grew up on which has been renamed “Rihanna Drive”.

2. The national sport of Barbados is cricket.

If you’re craving the charm of Britain but the warmth of the tropics, Barbados offers the best of both worlds. Barbados was under British rule from 1627 until it gained independence in 1966 and earned the nickname “Little England.” Cricket is their national sport so there’s plenty of opportunities to watch a match, whether at the world-famous Kensington Oval or one of the dozens of cricket grounds scattered throughout the island. Afternoon tea is also a common and popular activity, offered by many luxury hotels and charming tea rooms, so you could easily combine the two for a quintessential British experience.

3. Harrison’s Cave is the most popular landmark in Barbados

Harrison’s Cave is one of the most famous and visited landmarks on the island, and is perfect for adventurers and nature lovers. Located in the central uplands, it is a massive stream cave system that is approximately 2.3 kilometres long and boasts large crystalised, limestone towers, rushing streams, and many pools of crystal clear.

4. Flying Fish are a national symbol

The flying fish is such an iconic symbol of Barbados that it is featured on coins and official emblems, and is a key component of its national dish, which you must try. The meal consists of pan-fried or steamed flying fish served with cou-cou, a side dish made from cornmeal and okra.

5. Home of the oldest rum brand in the world

Barbados is not only the birthplace of Rihanna but also rum. Bajan run is crafted from the island’s abundant sugarcane and pure, limestone-filtered water and is renowned globally for its exceptional balance, smoothness, and complex flavour profiles, often combining notes of vanilla, fruit, spice and oak from its unique aging process in tropical climates. Mount Gay Rum Distillery, which was established in 1703, is recognised as the oldest commercial rum distillery in the world. You can take a tour of the distillery, learn about the rum-making process, and sample some of the finest rum produced on the island.

6.There are more than 80 beaches on the island

Barbados has over 80 stunning, white-sand beaches along its coasts, including many that are recognised as the most beautiful beaches in the world. Carlisle Bay is within walking distance of Bridgetown and offers clear waters and plenty of bars, while Mullins Beach and Pebbles Beach provide the opportunity to take part in watersports including jet-skiing and paddle boarding. Whether you want to relax or be adventurous there’s a beach for everyone.

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7. Barbados has over 3,000 hours of sunshine a year

Barbados is known as a destination with abundant sunshine year-round, making it a “dreamy destination” for sun-seekers. On average, the island receives over 3,000 hours of sunshine annually. While sunshine is plentiful, there’s a slight variation between the dry season and the wet season. During the dry season (December to April/May) you can expect around 8 to 9+ hours of sunshine per day, with minimal rainfall. In the wet Ssason (June to November) there is higher rainfall, but the rain often comes in short, heavy bursts, typically followed quickly by the heat and bright sunshine. Daily sunshine hours might dip slightly, averaging around 7 to 8 hours per day.

8. Crop Over Festival

Crop Over is Barbados’ largest festival dating back to the 1780’s. It is held every year between June and August, to mark the end of the sugar cane harvest and features a variety of day and night parties, parades, and craft markets, culminating in Grand Kadooment Day, a vibrant street parade similar to carnival.

9. Green monkeys and nesting turtles have become common sights in Barbados

While in Barbados you’re likely to spot green monkeys and nesting turtles. While the green monkey is originally from West Africa, it was introduced to Barbados in the 17th century and over time, the species gained a foothold on the island. They’re a common sight in the island’s forests and plantations.

10. Barbados is named after a tree

Before it became Barbados, the island was known as Los Barbados, meaning ‘The Bearded Ones’. The name was coined by Portuguese explorers who first discovered the island in 1536 and found an abundance of “bearded” fig trees.

You can still find the fig trees across Barbados especially in the natural gullies, but there are a lot less compared to when the Portuguese visited.