WE DESTINATION - Things the ads won’t tell you about Barbados

It can be cheaper than you think by Benoit Legault

According to some ads, Barbados is a great tropical patch of sea and sand where flying fish jump over you. These ads describe Barbados as an exclusive, expensive place for the happy few.

Barbados is actually more diverse and interesting than its promotion makes it appear. Thanks to three different coastlines, it’s like three different island destinations in one. And the agricultural island interior, where tourists rarely go, provides slices of genuine ‘Bajan’ life. With 430 square kilometers and 270,000 people, Barbados has a lot to offer.

Tour operators usually promote the posh, exclusive, and expensive foreign-owned and operated resorts on the West Coast (where Rolling Stone, Keith Richards, owns a villa). Yet Bajans and middle-class tourists hang out on the South Coast (where there is a wide range of hotels, including affordable and intimate accommodation.) It’s not as pretty as the West Coast, but the waves are bigger, and the local flavour is abundant.

The adventurous ones go on the East Coast to see its awesome coastline, reminiscent of the wild coastlines of Western Australia. The scene is made up of surfers who have to be excellent swimmers, because the undertow is merciless.

The rural interior of the island is peaceful, although the urban sprawl of the capital, Bridgetown, is spreading like wildfire. Cheap eats and authentic local life can be found a few hundred metres from the main road, which circles around the island. It is here that you may experience a Barbadian mutton recipe, light-years away from what most tourists eat. The interior is also where rum distillers do their magic, Mount Gay being the oldest and most famous of them.

All beaches are public, even the ones in front of the most expensive hotels and resorts. Strolling in tourist-deserted historic Speightstown is free and drinks there are very cheap. Eating in a typical Barbadian snack bar will cost you very little for a substantial meal cooked the local way. Having grilled big-game fish at the famous Oistins Friday Night Fish Fry, held in a fishing village, is an unforgettable and delicious experience that costs just slightly more than a snack bar. By the way, the fish is not generally fried but rather flame-grilled – as if the fish has to pass through hell to pay for some underwater sins.

There is more to Barbados than beaches and packaged attractions. It is also a place where visitors can enjoy an authentic, proud Caribbean culture, in a safe environment.

If you go
Barbados Tourism Authority - Canada office:
Suite 1010, 105 Adelaide Street West
Toronto, Ontario M5H 1P9
Telephone: (416) 214 9880 & 1-888-BARBADOS.
Email: canada@barbados.org: & website: http://www.visitbbarbados.org/.

WE DESTINATION: Tobago – The Ultimate Carnival Cool-Down

Flights, hotels and car rentals are booked months in advance by the multitude of Carnival revellers seeking an escape after Carnival Monday and Tuesday. The white sands, shallow bays and beautiful clear waters along the shores of Tobago are just what you need to rejuvenate the body and soul after a hectic Carnival schedule.

Most visitors tend to stay in Crown Point (close to the airport), along Store Bay and Pigeon Point which hosts most of the major resorts, hotels and villas and is where much of the after-Carnival activities take place. For diving and snorkelling, enthusiasts head up to the North East coast at Charlotteville which boasts some of the world’s best diving and water sports.

Aside from being famous for its secluded beaches and spectacular coral reefs, Tobago also offers some of the best bird watching and is home to the the oldest protected forest in the Western world, The Tobago Forest Reserve. For avid golfers, Tobago offers two championship golf courses, The Mount Irvine Golf Course and the Tobago Plantation.

You can experience fine dining at places like Café Iguana at Crown Point, Coral Reef Restaurant inside the new Hilton Hotel or at the classy Coco Reef Resort overlooking Store Bay. For a more relaxed casual meal, you must visit the food kiosks at Store Bay and try the world famous ‘Miss Jean’s Crab and Dumplings’.



Tobago Happenings:
Carnival Las Lap - February
Celebrity Golf Tournament - February
Plymouth Jazz Festival - April
Tobago Heritage Festival - July
Food Festival – October

For more information on accommodations, dining, eco tourism, activities, road maps, etc visit http://www.visitstcroix.com/, http://www.tobagotoday.com/, http://www.mytobago.info/, http://www.simplytobago.com/.

WE DESTINATION – St. Croix (U.S. Virgin Islands) – The Caribbean’s best kept secret

By Marie Fleming


The largest of the United States Virgin Islands, St. Croix is not only famous for it’s world class scuba diving with some of the world's finest dive spots, but is also a very popular wedding/honeymoon destination. The island offers beautiful landscape, gorgeous beaches, stunning historical architecture, and not to mention the intimate dining and shopping.

St. Croix has flown seven different flags. It has been colonized by Spain, Great Britain, the Netherlands, France, the Knights of Malta, Denmark, and the United States.

There are two distinct towns to visit: Christiansted and Frederiksted. In Christiansted, you can browse the many quaint shops filled with jewellery and clothing, or visit the National Historic Site within the one-time Danish West Indies capital. Frederiksted is well known for its tropical Rain Forest and the Whim Greathouse, a plantation restored to its original spender in the early 1700s. The towns of Christiansted and Fredriksted each have their distinctive style and are a must-see.

St. Croix scuba diving is some of the best in the Caribbean... if not the world. It nestles more than 20 dive sites within the largest living reef of any Caribbean island. The most popular being Buck Island Reef, Frederiksted Pier, Salt River and The Wall at Cane Bay.

St. Croix offers a host of activities within a very relaxed island experience, without the crowds normally found at many other Caribbean destinations. Fine hotels, great cuisine, sight-seeing, duty free shopping, beautiful beaches, warm waters, spectacular golf courses, watersports, night life and friendly Caribbean culture complete the menu for the perfect U.S. Virgin Island vacation of a lifetime.



St. Croix Happenings:
December/January - Crucian Christmas Festival
February - St. Croix Orchid Society Annual Show
April - A Taste of St. Croix (Food & Wine Festival)
September - Foreign Film Festival (Whim Plantation Museum)
November - Blue Bay Jazz Fest
December - American Airlines Charity Golf Classic

For info and accommodations visit http://www.visitstcroix.com/. http://www.stcroixtourism.com/ or http://www.st-croix-usvi.com/.

Scuba diving info can also be found at http://www.stcroixscuba.com/.

WE Destination - St. Maarten: A luxury destination for the masses

St. Maarten is a vivacious little island known for its duty-free shopping, extraordinary cuisine, lively nightlife, casinos and two island experiences in one. Co-habited by the Dutch and French, through the Concordia Treaty signed on March 23, 1648, it is the smallest landmass in the world shared by two separate governments .

There is no shortage of attractions on Dutch Sint Maarten (pronounced "sintt martine") and French St-Martin. So much so that the island offers both luxury for the few and low prices for the masses, a rare feat in the Caribbean where it is usually one or the other.

The downside of that popularity is that St. Maarten can be too busy for relaxation seeking visitors. Yet there are isolated, intimate spots like Dawn Beach. New hotels have not spoiled the beauty of what the locals consider the best beach on St. Maarten. If people watching is your thing, large, very public nude beaches are a "spécialité" of the French side, St-Martin.Where to eat?

In addition to sun, sand and surf, St. Maarten has all the creature comforts. Dining is one of life's greatest pleasures, especially on this tiny Dutch/French island that boasts more than 350 restaurants. Dating back to the centuries of discovery when the Dutch claimed and cultivated land, the island's colonial past is reflected in ethnic flavours.
St. Maarten's reputation as the Dining Capital of the Caribbean is richly deserved, given its diverse menu of regional French, Italian, German, Argentine, Indian, Vietnamese and Chinese cuisines - not to mention Caribbean and Creole cooking. Ingredients, fresh from Europe and North America , combine with Caribbean indigenous flavours to create unforgettable meals.

2008 EVENTS
Heineken Regatta - March 6-9, 2008
St. Maarten's Carnival - end of April 2008
St. Maarten/ St. Martin Annual Regional Tradeshow - May 2008
St. Maarten's Day - November 11, 2008

WE Destination - Montego Bay, Jamaica

Derived from the Spanish name ‘Manteca Baha’ or ‘Bay of Lard’, so called because of the lard-making industry in its early beginnings, Montego Bay was originally a sugar and banana town. Mo Bay’s claim to ‘resort fame’ came from the beautiful Doctor’s Cave Beach which attracted many celebrities from all over the world. The Beach is said to be fed by mineral springs and boasts the most uncommonly clear and sparkling water.

Over the years many other beach clubs have been developed in the area, each with its own special character. Walter Fletcher Beach is closest to town on Gloucester Avenue. Cornwall Beach is just a little beyond Doctor's Cave, Tropical Beach and Rose Hall Beach lie further out of town.

Montego Bay is now Jamaica's tourism capital. It boasts the most hotels and transport facilities and offers a wide choice of amenities. ‘Mo Bay’ is divided into three distinct parts. There is the city itself which nests a variety of shops, craft markets, restaurants and even an art gallery. There is the ‘hotel area’ which is a mile-and-a-half long strip that runs through the town, past the very popular Doctor's Cave Beach and to the Dead End Bar. Thirdly, there are the outlying hotels and villas along the beach and the hillside.

Montego Bay boasts a wide selection of accommodation, from the older luxury-hotels and the newer all-inclusive resorts to the many small and more intimate places. Villas await those who want to get away and do their own thing.

Things to do in Montego Bay

Aquasol Theme Park
Situated on Walter Fletcher beach, this park offers enough entertainment to keep you busy all day including go-karts, volley ball, tennis courts, and water sports. At night it is said to host some of Mo Bay’s best beach parties.

Belvedere Estate
Just minutes away from ‘Mo Bay’ is one of the first sugar cane plantations in Jamaica and is still a working estate. You can visit the ruins which hosts many exotic plants and birds, plus several rivers and waterfalls. 952-6001

Bob Marley Experience & Theatre
You can view shows paying tribute to Jamaican legend Bob Marley every hour at the theatre located at Half Moon Shopping Village. The souvenir shop boasts the largest selection of Bob Marley T-shirts in the world. 476-953-3946.

Chukka Blue Adventure Tours
Go horse-back riding through picturesque landscape at an old estate at Sandy Bay or an exciting mountain-bike tour through Hanover. Chukka Blue also offers a ‘Heritage Tour’ through the countryside in a ‘Safari Jeep’. 476-817-3624

Coral Cliff Gaming & Entertainment Lounge
You can play slots machines and catch nightly entertainment from vintage Reggae, to Jazz and Cabaret.

Falmouth
The capital of Trelawny, Falmouth was once one of the island’s major commercial centres, in the early nineteenth century. You can view the spectacular architecture that still remains in the court house, churches and many Georgian style homes.

Golfing
Tee-off to a world-class 18-hole gulf course at Tryall 2,200 acre estate next to sea. 476-956-5660.

King Pepper
A company which produces Jerk Seasoning, Hot Pepper Sauce and Jerk Ketchup, welcomes visitors to its factory just past Falmouth on the way to Ocho Rios.

Lester Art Gallery
The Gallery is the former home and studio of Polish sea captain and painter, the late Michael Leszczynski who later anglicised his name to Lester. The house was built in the 1950s on a cliff side at the village of Belmont and has stunning views. 476- 605-1299

Lucea
Just west of ‘Mo Bay’ lies the ruins a 17th century fort. Lucea (pronounced Lucy) is a great site-seeing trip on the way to Negril.

Luminous Lagoon
Take an after-dark boat ride from Glistening Waters Marina to one of the most spectacular wonders of Jamaica. At night the ‘glistening waters’ aluminates when agitated and you can see the outlines of fish swimming around. 476-954-3229

Margaritaville
After tasting one of the 52 tropical flavours of marguerites and sampling the grilled specials, you can relax in the rooftop hot tub or be adventurous and ride the monster slide that plunges 100 feet into the Caribbean Sea. Then go jumping on the water trampolines. 476-952-4777 http://www.margaritavillecaribbean.com/

Montego Bay Undersea Tours
You can view the wonders of the Montego Bay Marine Park from glass bottom boats. 476-940-4465.

Mountain Valley River Rafting Tour
Take a breathtaking ride through the valley of Great River aboard a30 foot bamboo raft. This is a very relaxing and romantic trip for couples.

Rocklands Bird Sanctuary
A visit to Rocklands Feeding Station in Anchovy, also minutes from Montego Bay, is a must for all bird watchers. Feeding time is four o'clock.

Rose Hall Great House
Take a tour of the once home of the notoriously wicked Annie Palmer, the White Witch of Rose Hall, who murdered three husbands and terrorized her slaves. 476-953-2323

Rum Jungle
A fitting name for the place that offers more than 100 varieties of rum. 476-952-4130.

Sunset Cruises
Cool Aqua Sun Sports offers sunset cruises from 5pm-7pm aboard the ‘Lady Sharon’. 476-680-0969. Sharky's Boat Tours offers evening dance parties from Pier 1. 476-971-1049

Water Sports
Rose Hall Beach Club claims to be water sports capital of Jamaica. From waterskiing, para-sailing, kayaking, jet-skis, snorkelling, diving, and fishing; you name it, they got it. 476-680-0969. Other companies are Sun Sports 476-680-0969, North Coast Marine Sports 476-953-9266, Captain's Watersports & Dive Centre 476-952-5860

For more info on attractions and accommodations in Montego bay visit http://www.montego-bay-jamaica.com/

WE Destination - Banff & Lake Louise – Two gems in the Canadian Rockies

By Monica Joseph-McIntyre



If you ever find yourself in Calgary, be sure to take at least a day to visit the town of Banff and Lake Louise. I chanced upon these Canadian gems when I paid a visit to my sister and her family in Calgary, while my husband attended a business conference in the city. We decided to take a couple of days after the conference to see the Rockies up close. My brother-in-law lent us his car and we took off on an unforgettable mini-vacation.

The 90-minute drive up the TransCanada Highway and through Banff National Park was spectacular. We were tempted to stop every half-hour to capture the panoramic scenery on camera as we drove up and through the mountains, which had names like, Castle Mountain (which looks like a castle) and the Three Sisters (a threesome of narrow peaks with similar facades standing in a line).

The town of Banff, established in 1885 as part of Canada’s first national park, is nestled at an elevation of 1,383 metres (4,537 ft.). There are plenty of hotels to choose from in the busy little tourist town. We stayed in the Banff Aspen Lodge, (rates vary from $112 to $262 a night for an economy room, depending on the season) located on Banff Ave., (the main drag), and is also just minutes away from all the shops, restaurants, museums and galleries. The two-room suite was clean and comfortable, with TV and a fridge, and a communal hot tub.

While you’re meandering through the streets and lanes or browsing at the shops and boutiques, the majestic mountains are always in sight. And there is no shortage of restaurants. Dining can be pricey, but there are bargains. We found an excellent Sri Lankan fast-food outlet in a mall for a cheap, exotic lunch. For dinner we went to a Mexican place on Caribou St. called The Magpie and Stump. Dinner for two: under $40.

We left Banff the next morning, weaving our way even higher into the mountains.
Forty minutes later, we arrived at Lake Louise. Her turquoise water was a jewel in the bright morning sunshine, and was backed by the snow-capped peaks. The majestic Fairmount Chateau Lake Louise, a luxury hotel, sits steps away from the lake, offering visitors a constant view of nature’s panoramic scenery. If posh restaurants aren’t your style, there’s a coffee shop inside for quick refreshments.

We went in mid-June expecting summer weather, but experienced fresh, 10-degree mountain air – so it’s a good idea to carry a light jacket even in summer. Peak season is July and August, but the park is open year-round. In summer there are guided walking tours, and trails for the adventurous to explore. Or you can rent a canoe and paddle around the lake.

A sign leading up to the trails warns visitors that they are in grizzly bear country. Other wildlife in the area includes moose, wolves and big- horned sheep. We didn’t see any of these creatures, but the breathtaking splendour of the mountains was more than enough.

WE Destination - THE FAIR LAND OF BARBADOS

By Stacey Marie Robinson



True carnival enthusiasts know that they can travel year round and find the familiar sounds of the steel pan, a group of costumed revellers, and the music, food and spirit they know and love. They can head to Trinidad in the winter, Jamaica or Atlanta in the spring, maybe Montreal or St. Lucia for the early summer months – however, August might present a conflict of interest when Toronto Caribana and the Barbados Crop Over festivities conclude over the same weekend, before the first Monday in August.

If there is one time of year when Caribbean-Canadians, residents of Toronto and neighbours in Michigan, Quebec, or New York know that they don’t have to travel far to catch the carnival spirit, it’s towards the end of the summer when the fun, the music, the tourists, entertainment and excitement come to the streets of Toronto. Caribana weekend is a yearly vacation-at-home for many Toronto residents. However, down in Bridgetown, Barbados, there is revelling of similar proportions going on at their National Stadium, while hundreds of thousands also parade down Lakeshore Boulevard.

Crop Over is just one of the many highlights of a trip to Barbados. From it’s launch this years on May 18, straight through to the Grand Kadooment parade on Monday, August 6, Crop Over provides a variety of festivities ranging from cavalcades and symposiums, to pan performances, Junior Calypso events, concluding with Foreday Mornin’ at Independence Square and the Cohobblopot on Crop Over Sunday.

Crop Over, which began centuries ago as a celebration to mark the end of the sugar cane cutting season, was revived in 1974 to attract tourists to the island during a traditionally slow season. For those who cannot make it to Barbados during Crop Over season, there are plenty of other attractions and benefits to travelling there year-round.

Described as “naturally charming and sophisticated, alive with possibilities, as boundless as the turquoise sea, endless as the sandy shore,” tourists will find many pleasant attractions while staying in Barbados.

In the capital, Bridgetown, in particular, shopping on Broad Street will provide tourists with a wide range of gifts, crafts, and clothing. Smaller shops can also be found on Swan Street, Rolbuck Street, or Tudor Street. Pelican Village, developed in 1999, provides handicrafts and other goods for purchase, located just outside of Bridgetown. Visually stunning, Bridgetown also offers great photo ops including the Parliament Building, and National Heroes Square, along with the natural landscapes.

While Bridgetown and the south coast provide fun and festivities, you can achieve a calmer vacation on the west coast, an equally relaxing time on the east coast, or choose to appreciate a more rugged beauty of the island by staying on the north coast. While all directions will provide you with unbroken white sand beaches, please keep in mind that nudism is illegal in Barbados, due to the island’s conservative British traditions – there are no nude beaches (ala Hedonism in Jamaica). Barbados is, however, host to Crane Beach, on the south coast, which has been noted as one of the ten most beautiful beaches in the world by ‘Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous’.



Any travel itinerary wouldn’t be complete without some entertainment to accompany the shopping and frolicking on the beach. For those looking to drink and get on bad on the dance floor, many tourists head to The Boatyard, which is open 365 days a year and provides non-stop excitement with a variety of games, restaurants, bars, and other attractions like waterslides, an ocean trampoline and rope swing. The beachside Sharkey’s Bar, located at The Boatyard, is considered to be one of the liveliest spots on the island.

The home of Rihanna, Rupee, Krosfyah and Edwin Yearwood provides musical entertainment in soca and reggae at its finest, and the friendly Bajan people have proven to be great hosts. Most nightclubs are located in the St. Lawrence Gap, and also on Bay Street. A great one to check out is Harbour Lights, a beachfront open-air venue.

There is plenty fun to be had in Barbados, even for those who are not willing to sacrifice their yearly Caribana rituals to attend the Crop Over. The carnival is just one aspect of their rich heritage, and a small part of the overall appeal to this eastern Caribbean paradise.