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Explore the beating heart of the Caribbean with these three top destinations. Discover food, culture, heritage and a new way of life as this tropic destination reels you in...


January 2023


DID YOU KNOW?


Pop Star Rihanna has a street


named after her in her home island of Barbados


With a tantalising combination of white and pink sand beaches, a bustling UNESCO World Heritage capital city and a whole host of culinary and cultural delights, it’s little wonder that Barbados was crowned Best Destination in the World by the Destination Satisfaction Index! The island has an intriguing history and retains its unique blend of colonial English with the legendary Bajan hospitality. Chill with the locals at the legendary Friday night fish fry at Oistins to the sounds of soca, stroll through historic Bridgetown and its Garrison or take a dip in Barbados’ own thermal bath- the Hot Pot!


Barbados enjoys a stable year-round climate with an average temperature of 28 °C. Average relative humidity 57-74%, constant trade winds 7-8 miles per hour. You’ll never be short of dining inspiration on the island! Traditional Bajan delights include coucou and flying fish, Bajan soup with dumplings, roasted breadfruit, conkies, sweet bread and sugar cake. One of the best ways to indulge in Bajan food is at a local rum shop. Mix it up with an exquisite fine dining experience right down on the water’s edge. Get ready for a fusion of African, Caribbean, West Indian and European dishes. Like with everything else in Barbados,


there’s a huge amount of choice when it comes to nightlife, from dinner shows and nightclubs to live music and pubs. One of the best ways to experience the nightlife in Barbados though is to do it like the Bajans


do! St. Lawrence Gap, affectionately known as “The Gap”, is where you can start the night with a meal and then just follow the music- from reggae and calypso in The Cove to jazz and soca at the Old Jamm Inn. Then maybe a Caribbean dinner show at Harbour Lights, and of course Oistins for Friday nights! One of just three remaining Jacobean mansions in the western hemisphere, St. Nicholas Abbey sits in 400 acres- visit the sugar cane


fields and its new steam train! For natural wonders, venture deep into the limestone formations within Harrison’s Cave. And to see some of Barbados’ most famous residents- the green monkey- close up, take a trip to the Barbados Wildlife Reserve. Of course, no visit to Barbados would be complete without a visit to its UNESCO World Heritage capital Bridgetown, where history sits alongside a bustling shopping district.


FUN FACT! Oscar de la Renta, the acclaimed fashion designer, was born in Santo Domingo, DR.


Jamaica is one of the most popular islands in the Caribbean. With a total land area of 10,991 sq. km (4,244 sq. miles) the island stretches about 235 km (146 miles) east in Morant Point to west in Negril, and expands to 82 km (51 miles) at its widest point. With its highest point being, newly named


World Heritage Site, the Blue Mountain Peak at 2,256 metres (7,402 ft). Jamaica is a kaleidoscope of beauty, that makes our island the most precious jewel in the Caribbean. It’s always warm in Jamaica and year round


there’s not much variation. In the lowlands we average 25 to 30°C, and up higher it hits around 15 to 22°C. It only really gets cooler than that at the peaks of the Blue Mountains. You can’t go to Jamaica without sampling


the wonderful jerk chicken, curried goat and ackee & saltfish. You’ll find all this and more in the restaurants around the country. Roadside stalls serve chicken, pork and lobster, or you might like to try somethings a bit different. Music and Nightlife in Jamaica are as eclectic and fun as you’d expect. Dance on the sands at parties in Negril and Montego Bay’s Hip Strip. You’ll get copious servings of soca, calypso, and reggae. Serious reggae fans should head to one of Kingston’s sound systems dancehalls for the real deal.


HEARD IT HERE FIRST! Jamaican-made Appleton


Estate 50-Year Rum is the most expensive rum in the world


Dominican Republic is the second largest and most diverse Caribbean country, situated just two hours south of Miami, less than four hours from New York and eight hours from most European cities. Known for our warm and hospitable people, Dominican Republic is a destination like no other, featuring astounding nature, intriguing history and rich culture. There is a plethora of Dominican dishes, ranging from soups and stews to street side fried snacks, and sweet coconut desserts. Beyond the classic Caribbean rice and beans plate are staple specialties unique to the DR. Familiarise yourself with a few of the Dominican’s staples, from table to roadside, to best enjoy your culinary adventure around the country.


Dominicans have an ultra sweet tooth. They love sweets and desserts in all shapes and forms, and you will frequently see lines outside of a pastelería, with customers grabbing orders to go or enjoying them on site if there is seating space.


The most unique of Dominican desserts


are habichuelas con dulce–a sweet bean dessert mostly consumed at Easter time, but it can be found in various bakeries at other times of the year.


The most popular desserts are coconut-


based, milk-based, and corn-based. The coconete is a crunchy, round shaped coconut cookie. Tres leches cake is a must- try, as is majarete, a sweet corn pudding sprinkled with cinnamon and nutmeg. Dominicans love their street foods, particularly at night, and their frituras or fried snacks. One of the most commonly picks, particularly at night, is the chimichurri or “ chimi”–a juicy Dominican version of a burger, filled with a combination of grilled, seasoned meat, cabbage, onions, and


tomatoes, thrown inside toasted white bread, and smothered in mayonnaise and ketchup. Music and dancing are an integral part of everyday life in the DR. Whether you find yourself in Santo Domingo, the hub of nightlife and live performances, or in a small village in the center of the country, Dominican beats will echo from corner stores to local clubs, while people dance indoors or even outdoors in parks and public spaces.


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