Barbados, the Small Caribbean Island that Fueled America's Founders

The Crane Beach

All Caribbean Islands offer visitors sand, sea and sun, but Barbados also gives Americans an insight into their own country.

Washington House

George Washington slept here for six weeks in 1751, the only place outside of America that he ever visited.

Bajan planters successfully demanded no taxation without representation from their British overlords. It helped that the small island was then the richest spot in the world, the equal of Amsterdam and London, but Bajans peacefully instituted the policy generations before Americans did. No doubt the Yanks were inspired by their successful example.

Planters' sons colonized the Carolinas, making Barbados the world's only colony to have a colony. They brought with them slaves, the plantation system and architecture. You can see examples today in Charleston.

The slaves brought their culture and patois we know today as Gullah/Geechee.

Setting up a rum tasting at Mount Gay Distillery

Rum was created here first by a Mr. Rumboll, distilled commercially first by Mount Gay, still a major producer, and was an instant hit in England. It was a hit with young George Washington, too. His favorite drink, a Corn 'n' Oil, is a combination of a good sipping rum, a bit of Falernum, a Bajan rum liqueur, and a dash of Angostura Bitters over ice.

Like other Caribbean islands, Barbados offers sun, sand and sea with luxurious resorts at which to enjoy it.

Chef Jason Howard

Foodies will love it here, the only island in the Caribbean to have a Michelin-starred chef. Bajan Jason Howard has returned from England and operates his own seafront restaurant, Top Deck, near Holetown. Don't be surprised if he garners the first Michelin star for Caribbean cuisine.

At the other end of the food spectrum, but no less delicious, is Cuzz in Bridgetown, a favorite spot for Cutters, freshly cut buns filled with a variety of ingredients.

Cuzz

The day I stopped by its Pebble Beach locale, barracuda was the fresh fish of the day. I recommend it. Other choices are likely to be mahi, egg, cheese or a Bajan favorite, flying fish.

Barbados packs a lot into its 21-mile length, 14-mile width. The people are smiling, friendly and welcoming. They may drive on the left but love Americans and their connections with us.

A few no-nos. Don't wear camouflage-patterned clothing. Don't ask me why but it is against the law even for children and you may be sent home. Don't go from beach to town in bathing attire. Look but don't try to touch the monkeys. Leave your good leather shoes, purses, belts at home; mold will quickly find a home on them.

The Bajan dollar is pegged to the U.S. dollar which is also accepted. Current exchange rate is around two Bajan for one American.

Dawn-Lisa Smith, our Characters guide

Want a cultural walking tour of Bridgetown, the capital? Characters of Town give a good one.

Party like a royal

 You can follow in the footsteps of the actors of "Downton Abbey" with a package offered by Friendly Planet. Four nights in London, attendance at the exclusive Downton Abbey Christmas Ball (sans Crawleys) with an optional Paris day trip or Iceland extension.

Original price of $2,899 per person double occupancy reduced to $2,499 through Oct. 11. Includes round trip air from New York to London (JFK or Newark), transfers, daily breakfast, accommodations, Gala Ball at Highclere Castle, three-course meal with wine, caroling around the castle's Christmas tree, half-day bus tour of London with Champagne tea.

Contact Friendly Planet, 800-555-5765.

Go East, Bargain Hunters 

World Spree has done it again. In March 2019, they are offering a 10-day China Delights tour for $1,299. In September 2019, their special is a 13-day tour of Amazing Vietnam for $1,599. Both are per person, double occupancy.

The Forbidden City

China Delights concentrates on two of China's greatest cities, Beijing and Shanghai with optional day tours to Hangzhou via bullet train, Suzhou and Tongli.

The trip includes round-trio international airfare, eight nights in deluxe hotels, daily American-style breakfast buffet and one lunch, all transportation within China, sightseeing tours and entrance fees, professional English-speaking guides and baggage handling.

Shanghai's Bund on a foggy night

The $1,299 price is from San Francisco. Add $50 from Los Angeles or Houston, $150 from New York or Washington, D. C. Stay in the 4-star Convention Center Grand Hotel in Beijing, the Mercure Century Park in Shanghai.

Statue of Ho Chi Minh in Saigon

During Amazing Vietnam, you will stay in 5-star hotels plus an overnight cruise in Hanoi's famous Hay Long Bay. Included are round-trip international airfare, all transportation and transfers in Vietnam, hotels, daily American breakfast buffets plus four meals, comprehensive sightseeing tours with entrance fees, baggage handling and English-speaking tour guides. Stops include Hanoi, Hoi An, Hue and Saigon (now Ho Chi Minh City).

For details, contact worldspree.com or call 1-866-652-5656.

Jekyll island Club's Last minute Deal

You have until Oct. 31, 2018 to take advantage of the island exploration package. Island Club or Island Cottage accommodations are $169 a night, Ocean Club accommodations are $249 a night and both include a free half day bike rental.

Contact sales@jekyllclub.com.

Cruise your Hobbies and Passions

Cruising the Columbia River. Photo © by Judy Wells.

What piques your interest? Art or astronomy, music or motorcycles, golf or gardening, film or food, wine or wellness?
 
Combine those and many, many more with your love of travel and cruising with a theme cruise.

The Snake River, one of two "Rivers of Wine." Photo © by Judy Wells.

I recently took one, UnCruise's "Rivers of Wine," along the Columbia, Snake and Willamette Rivers. From Portland, Oregon, we cruised aboard S. S. Legacy, a replica of a Victorian steam packet.

White, red and in between, we swirled and swished it all. Photo © by Judy Wells.

Passengers were a mix of wine connoisseurs and wine curious. Chris Arora, the ship's sommelier, and Casey Cobble, winemaker for Robert Ramsay Cellars in Woodinville, Washington, guided us through daily tastings at Oregon and Washington wineries and cellars and with daily afternoon tasting tutorials aboard.

UnCruise's S.S. Legacy. Photo © by Judy Wells.

It was an eye- and palate-opening experience. Two heritage guides entertained with stories and details about the area through which we traveled, either by boat or by bus. This is Lewis and Clark, Cayouse, Palouse, Nez Perce, Oregon Trail, Kennewick Man and Hanford Project country so there was much to tell.

Mt. Hood looms large over Mount Hood Winery. Photo © by Judy Wells.

The scenery is spectacular. We cruised through the Cascade Mountains, desert gorges and lush valleys. Snow-covered volcanic Mounts Adams and Hood made frequent, unexpected appearances.

Multnomah Falls, Oregon. Photo © by Judy Wells.

Short distances away on land we visited Multnomah and Palouse Falls, one through dense forests,  the other rain-deprived gorges.

Palouse Falls, Washingto. Photo © by Judy Wells.

We learned a lot about wine and even more about our own palates. Casey summed it up simply, our Yum or Yuck wine. Chris's goal sounded simple, too: "I want to help you discover what you like and why."

Preparing for a tasting at Archer, Newberg, Oregon. Photo © by Judy Wells

We gazed, sniffed, swirled, re-sniffed, slurped, swirled, burbled on tongue-tip, swished and tasted, mentally logging with all of the senses.

Meals furthered our assessments. Chef, pastry chef and sommelier conferred in advance, deciding the fare according to wines -  white, red and dessert - to be served so that each made the other taste better.

Vineyard at Domaine Serene in Oregon's Willamette Valley. Photo © by Judy Wells.

And yes, we figured it out.The ultimate test will arrive this fall, when heat abates and temperatures are safe to ship the wines we chose to ship home.

Tasting of syrahs and cabernets at Terra Blanca Winery & Estate Vineyard, Benton City, Washington. Photo © by Judy Wells.

Now that's a souvenir.

I highly recommend UnCruise "Rivers of Wine." Even the occasional wine drinkers enjoyed the cruise. All beverages, including those on the top shelf, are included on the all-inclusive cruise. if you prefer a different theme, check out themecruisefinder.com.

Summer Sales

What: Amelia Island "Seize the Summer" deals such as credits of up to $100 per day, 20 percent off of summer rates, special packages, free days.
When: Through Sept. 30.
Who: Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island; Omni Amelia Island Plantation; Amelia Rentals; Addison on Amelia;  Fairbanks House; Days inn and Suites; Hampton Inn at the Beach; The Surf Beach Motel; Hoyt House; Blue Heron Inn; Seaside Amelia Inn; Beachside Motel; Amelia Hotel at the Beach; ERA Fernandina Beach Realty rentals.

For complete list of "Seize the Summer" offers, go to ameliaisland.com/

Tuscany for 600 bucks per person?

Gate 1 says that includes flights on Emirates, 5 nights in Montecatini, 1 night in Milan near the airport, manual car rental (automatic upgrade available),taxes and fees.

Depart on Nov. 13, 14, 15, 27, 28: Dec. 4, 5, 6; Jan. 15, 22, 29 (over Carnivale); Feb. 5, 14, 28 from New York. Aug.-March also on sale.

Must book by Sept. 1, 2017, online at Gate 1 or at 800-682-3333 (ask for 8 Day Tuscany Fly and Drive with Milan package).  At end of booking process use promo code TZTSC150.

Blue Ridge Bargain 

 How about a luxury bed and breakfast package in Virginia's Blue Ridge Mountains for $69 per person per night?  

Stay at Wintergreen Resort, enjoy breakfast at The Copper Mine Bistro, take advantage of unlimited access to the Aquatic and Fitness Center or try your clubs on 45 holes of golf, treat yourself at the Wintergreen Spa (I did and it's great), hike  or watch the annual song bird migration. It's apple cider time, too.

wintergreenresort.com or  (434) 325-2200.

Off and traveling

Amicalola Falls. Photo © by Judy Wells.

Georgia on My Mind

What: Pick a Georgia mountain lodge, stay two nights Sunday through Thursday and get the third night free. www.BrasstownValley.com  or call 800.201.3205.

Where: Brasstown Valley Resort and Spa near the foot of Brasstown Bald, Georgia's tallest mountain, starting at $169 per night. and get the third night free. www.BrasstownValley.com  or call 800-201-3205.
            The Lodge at Unicoi State Park in the Chattahoochee Forest and near Helen, starting at $89 a night. Call: 800-573-9659, or online at www.gastateparks.org.
             The Lodge at Amicalola Falls at the Southeast's highest waterfall, beginning at $109 per night. 800-573-9656 or online at www.gastateparks.org.

When: Now through May 23, 2013.

 Delaware Savings Passport 

 What: The Brandywine Treasure Trail Passport provides discounted one-time admission to 11 members of the Brandywine Museum and Gardens Alliance:
. Brandywine River Museum, www.brandywinemuseum.org

. Delaware Art Museum, www.delart.org

. Delaware Center for the Contemporary Arts, www.thedcca.org

. Delaware Historical Society (includes Delaware History Museum and George Read II
  House and Gardens in Historic New Castle), www.dehistory.org       

. Delaware Museum of Natural History, www.delmnh.org

. Hagley Museum and Library, www.hagley.org

. Longwood Gardens, www.longwoodgardens.org

. Mt. Cuba Center, Inc., www.mtcubacenter.org

. Nemours Mansion & Garden, www.nemoursmansion.org

. Rockwood Park and Mansion, www.rockwood.org

. Winterthur Museum, Garden & Library, www.winterthur.org

When: May 25 through September 2, 2013.

How Much: Passports are $35 per adult or $75 for a family of two adults and three children, a savings of $100 per adult, $300 per family. Passports can be bought at any of the 11 attractions or ordered online at  www.VisitWilmingtonDE.com/passport.

Golfer, Get Better

 What: GolfTEC, a leader in golf improvement, offers a deal on their 60-minute swing evaluation.

Where: At more than 170 improvement centers throughout the U.S., plus sites in Canada, Japan and South Korea. Go to  http://www.golftec.com to find the center nearest you.

How much: $99.

When: Now through May 29.