Who wouldn’t trade in winter coats and snow boots for a tropical cocktail and a lazy day on sun-drenched beach?
As winter creeps in and temperatures dip, you’ve got to admit that the idea of an island getaway for the holidays packs major appeal.
But in this economic climate, the obvious question looms in would-be travellers’ minds.
“Can I afford it?”
Recognizing that what you seek most at this time is value for money, our team at The Palms Resort is readying to make the holidays warm, welcoming—and above all—worth it for our guests.
We look forward to meeting you, your family, friends, or that special someone for the holidays.
Gillian
Hot Holiday Must-Dos
After travelling all the way to Barbados, you’ll no doubt want to make the most of every moment.
To make life easier, we’ve compiled a list of five holiday must-dos, which we’re pretty sure will help make Christmas just a little more memorable for Barbadians and their guests.
Christmas Morning in Queen’s Park
On another day of the year, Queen’s Park, located in the city of Bridgetown, is a peaceful picnic spot. But on the morning of December 25—just after the sun rises—it transforms into a fashion runway of sorts, with people from every corner of the island willingly in character as models.
You’ll want to keep your camera handy to capture shots of the outfits that locals parade along the promenade—from chic to quizzical. Or maybe you’ll be daring and be part of the spectacle! Either way, with a live band cranking out festive music and carols, and a bounty of breakfast options, this is bound to be an unmatched Christmas experience.
Carols by Candlelight
During the holiday season, the Prime Minister opens his residence to Barbados for a night of carolling. Ilaro Court, the official name of the leader’s home, emanates warmth as crowds sit under the night sky with candles in hand, enjoying live music from stage performers. Put on by a local community service organisation, the event also sees attendees helping a deserving charity by bringing a wrapped gift for a child in need.
Tour of Barbados by Night
On another day of the year, Queen’s Park, located in the city of Bridgetown, is a peaceful picnic spot. But on the morning of December 25—just after the sun rises—it transforms into a fashion runway of sorts, with people from every corner of the island willingly in character as models.
Cricket Legends of Barbados International Cup
You don’t have to know a thing about cricket to enjoy a game day.
With the electric party atmosphere and entertainment in the stands, there’s much to grab the uninitiated’s attention. If you happen to be a cricket fan, there’s even less doubt you’ll enjoy what’s happening at Kensington Oval at the beginning of December. That’s where the legends of international cricket from England, South Africa, Sri Lanka and the West Indies teams will be closing out a reminiscent tournament against one another.
For ticket info, dial +1 (246) 227-2651 / 52.
Polo in December
What comes to mind when you think of Barbados and sports? If your first answer isn’t polo, you won’t be alone.
But the fact is, in December, polo playing is quite the norm on the island. Actually, that month kicks off a packed polo schedule that runs until May the following year. In addition to being a sure-bet weekend gathering of the island’s who’s who, it’s also a fantastic way to enjoy a part of Barbados still largely undiscovered by those who live here.
End of Year Island Style
Maybe your idea of ringing in a new year is noisemakers, bubbly and fireworks.
Perhaps you like to reflect quietly on the year passed with a loved one, or join parishioners at a place of worship for a time of thanksgiving.Whatever your preferred way of celebrating a new year, you’re bound to find no end of options in Barbados. Surely, there are loads of party-going people who, in the days preceding December 31, will willingly share advice on where the most fun will be had on New Year’s Eve. More than likely, quite a few will point you to St. Lawrence Gap in the south and Holetown in the west for a time of end-of-year revelry.
It helps that near to each of these popular party locations, you’ll find a string of restaurants—from the extravagant to the affordable—happy to book you a reservation for the night. If you’re not a fan of frolicking in the streets, you’ll probably be relieved to know that you’ll find quite a few Barbadians who are the same. Aside from quiet reverence, there are some Barbadians who prefer to spend December 31 enjoying a midnight picnic at beaches, which also serve as perfect lookouts for fireworks displays. If you opt for this type of celebration, it’s important to use your best judgment and take safety precautions as you would in any secluded place in the world you venture to.
With a reputation for having a church on every corner, Barbados is probably the ideal place to find a place of worship to visit on New Year’s Eve. In addition, with strong ties to the Church of England and a vibrant Catholic community, worshipers should have little difficulty finding a traditional mass to join.
What’s more is that when all the night’s activities come to an end, there’s still one spectacle left to take in—the rising of the year’s first sun. For this reason, it’s pretty common to find Barbadians with breakfast in tow flocking to locations with prime views of the east.Whether you’re perched atop Gun Hill with its infamous lion statue, or on the island’s east coast looking out to the Atlantic Ocean, the general consensus is that you’ll treasure that memory for a long time.
So with a 360º view of Barbados on New Year’s Eve—breathtaking sunrises, quiet seaside moments, reflection at church and late-night celebrations—who could forgive themselves for not trading those winter coats and boots for a swimsuit and flipflops?
What’s New at The Palms
Christmas & New Year’s Eve Special!
We promise Christmas Day at The Palms will feel just like home with a dash of island flavour.
When you arrive, be sure to ask our team about the Caribbean-inspired buffet at The Palms Deck Restaurant.
