Island Travel

Island Travel Interviews- Caribbean, Take I

Island Travel is one of my favorite kinds of travel. There are so many activities, beautiful sights, and pretty drinks… and the pure relaxation… I have my favorite, first choice, don’t-have-to-ask-me twice island, but I thought it would be fun to ask some other travel bloggers about some of the islands they have traveled to. Get ready to be amazed! (Every week I will feature 2-3 Travel Bloggers sharing their island experiences.)

*This post may contain affiliate links, meaning that, at no cost to you, I may receive some compensation. Thank you!

 

On the Docket for this Week is Melissa from Maps and Merlot writing about Barbados (yay! I’ve always been curious about Barbados) and Lisa from ByLisaLinh talking about St. Kitts (again… yes! I get to reminisce about our honeymoon island). And an added feature- all of their pictures are spectacular!

LET’S START WITH BARBADOS

What is your name and blog name/URL?

Melissa Ivin from Maps and Merlot – www.mapsandmerlot.com

What Island Will You Be Talking About and Why Did You Choose This Island?

I’ll be discussing Barbados, which I chose because the island basically has everything you could ever wish for. Between white sandy beaches, spicy rum punch, friendly turtles, and cave explorations, I had an amazing time on the island.

Photo Credit- Maps and Merlot

How Many Days Would You Recommend Staying on This Island? Honestly, you can do anything from a long weekend to a full week there; there are so many activities to choose from. Watersport options include jetskiing, stand-up paddle boarding, cruising on a catamaran, snorkeling, and diving. However, if you only have a few days, it’s still totally worth the visit.

What was your Favorite Thing About/Memory From Your Travels to This Island?

My favorite memory would definitely be snorkeling with the turtles. After jumping off the boat, I came face to face with the friendliest turtle (I named her Myrtle the Turtle). It’s amazing to see these animals in their natural habitats. They’re incredibly graceful creatures.

What is Your “Can’t Miss” Activity on the Island? What activities/opportunities does this island provide?

I would say you should definitely visit Harrison’s Cave. Take a bus or taxi up to the peak of the island and explore this extensive network of caves. Make sure to opt for the guided tour—they’ll take you down through this underground world and tell you all about the history and geological formation behind it.

Photo Credit- Maps and Merlot

Best Restaurant/Place to Eat?

I loved Brown Sugar. Featuring typical Bajan cuisine, it’s definitely a local favorite. They have some mouthwatering seafood options there.

What Surprised You About this Island? 

I was surprised by how big the island was. When I’ve been island hopping previously, it’s been relatively easy to cover the island in just a couple days, and there are many you can drive around the entire island in the span of a few hours. However, after four days in Barbados, I feel like there was still so much left to explore. I’d love to go back sometime!

Photo Credit- Maps and Merlot

Any Travel Advice for those considering this island as a destination (e.g., where to stay, ease of getting there, how best to get around, language, money)?

As far as where to stay, I’d recommend the Brownes Beach area. There are some gorgeous beaches, and the water is relatively calm and perfect for swimming around there. Definitely splurge for a beachfront hotel! From the USA, it’s extremely easy to get to Barbados. I know JetBlue often offers specials (my roundtrip flight was only $160), so getting there is a breeze.The good news about Barbados is that everyone speaks English. For Americans, the exchange rate is incredibly simple; one American dollar is two Bajan dollars. For other currencies, it might be a little trickier, but the locals were extremely helpful with the conversions. As far as getting around, I’d recommend zadars, which are white vans that race through the streets picking up passengers along the way. Drivers definitely abide to “the more, the merrier” motto, so make sure to get cozy with your neighbor. It’s a super cheap and speedy way to get around, so buckle up!

If my readers want to hear more about your island, do you have a link to your full article?

http://mapsandmerlot.com/2017/01/24/what-to-do-in-barbados/

 

NEXT UP…ST. KITTS!!!

What is Your Name and Blog Name/URL

Lisa Linh – By Lisa Linh (www.bylisalinh.com)

What is the Island You’ll Be Talking About and Why Did You Choose This Island?

St. Kitts for their catamaran snorkeling tour and gorgeous water.

Photo Credit- By Lisa Linh

How Many Days Would You Recommend Staying on This Island?

2 days

What was Your Favorite Thing About/Memory From Your Trip to This Island?

This stop was on a cruise and we spent 1 day there, on a catamaran snorkeling tour. It was such a peaceful and relaxing afternoon out on the boat!

Do you have a “Can’t Miss” Activity on the Island? What activities/opportunities does this island provide?

Catamaran snorkeling tour!

Photo Credit- by Lisa Linh

Best Restaurant/Place to Eat?

We didn’t get a chance to dine on the island, as we had a dinner reservation on the cruise ship. However, the coffee and pastries shop on the island weren’t bad.

What Surprised You About this Island?

How small it was. It was very colorful and lively, but tourist activities are huge and the majority of the people go to just do the tours rather than spend time in the town.

Any Travel Advice for those considering this island as a destination (e.g., where to stay, ease of getting there, how best to get around, language, money)?

I would highly suggest doing the Celebrity Cruises trip, which allows you to visit St Kitts for the day, along with other nearby islands. It was probably the best way to see it in my opinion, as I don’t think I would’ve stayed for more than 2 days.

If my readers want to hear more about your island, do you have a link to your full article?

https://www.bylisalinh.com/blog/2016/3/23/islandhopping-cc?rq=island

 

Thank you Melissa and Lisa! I’ll be dreaming island dreams and see you all back here next Thursday for more featured islands!

Not planning a trip at the moment? Save these interviews for later with the pin below.