According to UNESCO, “cultural heritage does not end at monuments and collections of objects. It also includes traditions or living expressions inherited from our ancestors and passed on to our descendants, such as oral traditions, performing arts, social practices, rituals, festive events, knowledge and practices concerning nature and the universe or the knowledge and skills to produce traditional crafts”. In 2003, UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage Convention has proposed the above five broad domains of Intangible Cultural Heritage because Intangible cultural heritage plays an important role in protecting cultural diversity against the process of globalization and social transformation. Safeguarding such heritages contributes to intercultural dialogue and promotes mutual respect for other lifestyles. To this end and after the convention, UNESCO began to register the cultural and spiritual heritage of all countries, and national commissions were set up in each country to introduce the intangible heritage that meets the requirements for global registration.

Skills of Crafting and Playing Iranian Dotār
Dotār is the oldest stringed musical instrument not only in Iran, but also in all the Middle East and Central Asia. The depiction of this musical instrument is existing in some of the ancient rock reliefs. In a book composed in Pahlavi language Dotār is called Tanbur or Tambur.

Pilgrimage to the St. Thaddeus Apostle Monastery
Pilgrimage to the St. Thaddeus Apostle Monastery was added to the list of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity (UNESCO). The monastery of St. Thaddeus (also known as the Qara Kelisa) is located in the province of West Azerbaijan, 20 km from the southwest of Maku City, in proximity to a village with the same name.

Qalishuyan (Carpet Washing) Ritual in Mashhad-e Ardehal
There are some nearby villages in the west of Kashan City which is called Aredhal altogether. The center of these villages is Mashhad-e Ardehal that is also known as Mashhad-e Qali (means carpet) by the locals. Being the martyrdom place of one of the Shia’ Imamzadehs is why this place is called Mashhad which literary means the place of Shahadat (martyrdom).

Ritual Dramatic Art of Ta’ziye
Ta’ziye literally means mourning, however, what is evoked for Iranians by hearing the name of Ta’ziye is a special religious and ritual drama in which those who are familiar with the drama techniques perform some theatre for the sake of Moharram and the pains of the third Shia Imam, his family and friends in the region of Karbala and during their battle with Yazid. Since reading artistically the poems is more important than the method of performing the events, it has been named “Ta’ziye Khani” in comparison with “Rodha Khani”.

Pahlevani and Zoorkhanei Rituals
Zoorkhaneh or Humorous sport is an epic art indicating the Islamic, mythic and ancient Iranian beliefs. This traditional sport is done by 10 to 20 men and it is considered a kind of dramatic sport like Gymnastics. The place of performing this sport is traditionally called Zoorkhaneh (the house of power) which is an enclosed club similar to the shrines in ancient Iran, based on some beliefs.

Nowruz
Nowruz indicates the first day of the new year in Iran and some of neighboring countries. According to Dehkhoda: “the first day of Farvardin when the sun reaches the Borj-e Haml; the beginning of spring which means the new day. It is stated that God created the Man in this day and all seven stars were ordered to revolve.

Iranian Miniature
Iranian Miniature is one of the brilliant artwork from Iran’s past culture. Some scholars said that the origin of such paintings in Iran dates back to the Achaemenid period, while this art can be found inside caves. Examples have been discovered in Lorestan province caves. Attention has been paid to the depiction of battle scenes, hunting, and animals.

Bayasanghor Shahnameh
Bayasanghor Shahnameh (Persian: شاهنامه بایسنقری‎) is one of the historical monuments of Iran, which is included in UNESCO’s Memory of the World Register of cultural heritage items in 2007. UNESCO’s Memory of the World Program is a program that was proposed by the International Advisory Committee in 1992 and approved by the Director-General of UNESCO. The purpose of this project is to preserve the documentary heritage and ease of access to them and to prevent illegal trading, looting, dispersal, and destruction. The most important criteria for selecting these works are their universal value.

The Deed of Endowment of the Rab’ i-Rashidi, a 13th-century manuscript
The Deed of Endowment of the Rab’ i-Rashidi (Persian: وقفنامه ربع رشیدی), a 13th-century manuscript, was added to the UNESCO Memory of the World register in 2007. The Memory of the World register is a program proposed by the International Advisory Committee in 1992 and endorsed by the Director-General of UNESCO. The purpose of this project is to preserve the documentary heritage and ease of access to them, as well as to prevent illegal trade, looting, dispersal, and destruction of this valuable heritage. The most important criteria for selecting these works are global importance and outstanding value at the international level.

Naqqāli, Iranian Dramatic Story-telling
Recitation or Parda Khwani is one of the ancient rituals in Iran, with different changes over time. The origin of recitation goes back, in terms of etymology-meaning “story-telling”-, to Parthian period and the Gosans who were well-known for relating the epic stories. Although there existed other similar traditions in form of storytelling accompanied by music, during Sassanid period, with paying especial attention to folklore, national and epic narratives, we mean by recitation, nowadays, a prospered ritual in Islamic era which cannot be assessed separated from its religious attributions.

Chogan (Polo)
Today introduced by Olympic international committee as one of the universal sports. Polo has been popular among the kings and Iranian grandee in the past and its name as an aristocratic sport is derived from that. This game dates back to 600 years BC and its genesis is related to Achaemenid era. In fact, Polo firstly just had a recreational function in order to show the Iranian military horses talent. Based on the historical evidence, Shah Abbas I was playing Polo in Qazvin and Isfahan (Naqsh-e Jahan square). Unfortunately, Polo gradually was forgotten after the Safavid era, however, it was considered again through contact with Europeans in Pahlavi era, but its former significance never returned again. Nowadays, some effort has been done to promote the Polo and it is hoped that Polo will be inscribed on the UNESCO world heritage list as an Iranian sport up to 2017. The name of Polo is taken from a piece of wood which is used in this game and the players’ proficiency in hitting the ball with Polo, horse riding, coordination and balancing in the game in highly important.

Traditional Skills of Building and Sailing Iranian Lenj Boats in the Persian Gulf
Building Lenj and boat is one of the oldest local industries in south of Iran dating back to Afsharid period. However, the history of Iranian sailing can be considered to be even longer after discovering Sasanid antiquities in today’s Mongolia and also Parthian and Sasanid ports.

Flatbread making and sharing culture: Lavash, Katyrma, Jupka, Yufka
People have baked the bread from a long time ago. At first, they were mixing the pounded grains with water and baking it on the hot stones; the process of baking bread was then completed over time and after discovering new techniques. Each country has its own bread baking culture. Lavash is one of the oldest breads in Iran which is made today in both traditional and modern ways.

Traditional Skills of Carpet Weaving in Fars
One of the most important arts in Fars region with a universal reputation is carpet weaving which is famous as Fars Carpet. The texture in most of the old Fars carpets was woven of wool and all carpets produced in this province are the products of the nomad women in whole process.

Traditional Skills of Carpet Weaving in Kashan
Kashan city was the center of carpet weaving in Shah Abbas period and many carpet weaving workshops were established in this city based on his command. Silk, silver and golden carpets which are best-known as Shah Abbas carpets are attributed to this city. The history of Kashan carpets can be assessed in two periods: a golden period and a period after approximately two centuries of the closure.

Radif of Iranian Music
Iranian music is also called Iranian traditional music, classical music of Iran and sometimes instrumental music of Iran. In fact, this art has been transferred orally from Master to student over the years and what is today available to us as the traditional music of Iran is the result of the great men and women endeavor.

Music of the Bakhshies of Khorasan
Musicians and singers of North Khorasan include three groups as Lovers, Bakhshies and Leveler (Luti); playing instruments like Kamancheh, Dotar, Sorna, Drum, Quseme and Ney, they compose songs compatible with each historical and cultural event. When the sheep get sick, they composed hymns like Lalezar and in case of enemy attack romantic songs as Allah Mazar are made. Meanwhile, Bakhshis are Dotar players who relate orally to people a corpus of morality, mysticism, poem and literature from a generation to another up to now.

Art of crafting and playing with Kamantcheh
Kamancha is one of the Iranian traditional and original musical instruments with a long history. The name of Kamancha has been appeared in some poems and texts from early Islamic periods. The first historic evidence of Kamancha is related to Farabi’s Kitab al-Musiqa al-Kabir in 4th century AH. He called Kamancha is his book by its Arabic name “Rebab”; therefore, some believe that Kamancha has been made by the evolution of Rebab.

IRAN with 24 UNESCO World Heritage Sites is one of the 10 countries with the most Cultural Heritage Sites in the UNESCO’s World Heritage list.

24 heritage sites in Iran have already been registered in the UNESCO’s list of World Heritage: Armenian Monastic Ensembles of Iran, Bam and its Cultural Landscape, Bisotun, Cultural Landscape of Maymand, Golestan Palace, Gonbad-e Qabus, Masjed-e Jame of Isfahan, Meidan-e Emam, Pasargadae , Persepolis , Shahr-i Sokhta, Sheikh Safi al-din Khanegah and Shrine Ensemble in Ardabil, Shushtar Historical Hydraulic System, Soltaniyeh Dome, Susa, Tabriz Historic Bazaar Complex, Takht-e Soleyman, Tchogha Zanbil, The Persian Qanat, Lut desert,The Persian Garden, Sassanid Archeological Landscape of Fars Region, Historic City of Yazd as well as Hyrcanian Forests.

Pasargadae
Pasargadae complex is an ancient area, including a large number of structures which was remained from the first capital of the Achaemenid era (sixth century BC) in Iran, located in the valley of Polvār River, and established by Cyrus the Great.

Gonbad-e Qabus
The historical tower of Gonbad-e Qabus is one of the outstanding architectures of the Islamic era dating back to the 4th century AD. Despite the limited use of decorating elements, the tower has a harmoniously fortified structure.

Lut Desert
Getting confused with “Dahst-e Kavir” and called “Kavir-e Lut”, due to their similarities, Lut Desert is the first wide desert in the south-east of Iran and one of the hyper-hot and arid deserts around the world; Extended across three provinces of south Khorasan, Sistan & Baluchestan and Kerman, it has covered about 10 per cent of Iran’s extent. It was measured as the hottest spot on the planet in 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2009 by situating in geothermal pole of the earth. Also, it has recorded as the hottest spot in all around the earth planet with 70˚C temperature in 2005.

Shushtar Historical Hydraulic System
Shushtar hydraulic system, one of the oldest engineering masterpieces in Iran and the world, has been constructed as an economical-industrial complex in the vicinity of the Shushtar historical area, under Sassanid Empire. This hydraulic system is an interconnected complex of mills, waterfalls, bridges, dams, channels, huge water conduction tunnels and Sika (a Leisure place) which work together in order to optimal use of water power as the driving force of industrial mills. The system distributes the Karun water to all regions of Shushtar and the cities around. All areas of waterfalls and mills was built of Granite and lime mortar, and the material of making nesting rooms was carved stones and also stone walls of the river.

Soltaniyeh
Soltaniyeh historical dome, the largest brick dome in the world, was built commissioned by Sultan Mohammad Khodabandeh (Oljeitu) in Soltaniyeh city, the capital of Ilkhanid dynasty from 1302 to 1312. This mausoleum, as an artistic masterpiece of Iranian and Islamic architecture, in Azari style is the first monument through which we can clearly follow the evolution process of Persian-Islamic architecture from Seljuk to Ilkhanid. Brick is the main material used in this building.

Meidan Emam, Isfahan
Historical square of Naqsh-e Jahan, currently known as Meidan Emam is one of the largest, most beautiful and magnificent squares in the world established in a garden named Naqsh-e Jahan (related to Seljuk era) in a rectangle-shaped place commissioned by Shah Abbas I . This square is the second large square in Isfahani architectural style.

Armenian Monastic Ensembles of Iran
The Complex of Armenian churches, some nearby buildings and Dare Sham village are the elements of cultural exchange between Orthodox Byzantine and Iranian culture. Located at the end southeast of the Armenian cultural domain, these churches became the center of Armenian cultural dissemination in Azerbaijan of Iran and they are currently preserved under good conditions.

Sheikh Safi al-Din Khanegah and Shrine Ensemble
Sheikh Safi al-Din (a famous poet and theosophist) Khanegah and Shrine Ensemble (Persian: آرامگاه شیخ صفی الدین اردبیلی) is one of Iran’s UNESCO world heritage sites. It is located in Ardebil, Iran. Sheikh Safi-al-Din Khanegah and Shrine Ensemble is the masterpiece of post-Islamic Iranian architecture that attracts many Iranians and non-Iranians to Ardebil. This site is registered as number 1345 on UNESCO world heritage lists. It built using traditional Iranian architecture (Ilkhanid & Timurid) and inspired by Sufism.

Tchogha Zanbil
Tchogha Zanbil historical region is an ancient city constructed by Elamite king in the 13th century BC. This city was consisted of different parts such as Ziggurat, concentric enclosed walls, entrance gateways, temples, houses, palaces, water disposal facilities and three inner, central and outer fences. The holiest part of the city, Ziggurat (an Akkadian word used for multi-story temples in Elam and Mesopotamia), was an ancient worship place which is located on a hill along the Dez river bank.

Persepolis
Takht-e Jamshid (Persepolis, Parse, Parse Polis), is a huge complex including palaces, gates, kings mausoleums, reliefs, and glorious stairways constructed on the west hillside of Rahmat mountain; it was started to establish in 518 BC and completed after 150 years. Being developed during the dynasty of Darius I, Xerxes and Artaxerxes I, this ancient city was considered a majestic and ceremonial capital for Achaemenian, which had been constructed on a stone terrace higher than the Marvdasht flatlands.

Golestan Palace
Golestan palace is one of the exclusive historical complexes of Iran established in different times and for different functions. The name is derived from the Golestan Hall, located in the exterior edifice. The construction of this complex was started in Safavid era. Chahar bagh and Chenarestan were built in the north part of the complex at the time of Shah Abbas I and the royal edifice added there but nothing remained today.

Cultural Landscape of Maymand
Maymand is a rocky and dugout village and one of the primary habitats of man in Iran with approximately 2 – 3 thousand years history. The close relationship between life and the surrounding nature is the particular values of this historical village in such a way that it continues, even currently and in spite of the new technology developments, to be an original site and keeps its original appearance without any tangible manipulating the nature.

The Persian Qanat
Qanat is a symbol of civilization, tradition and culture in desert regions with arid climate and an outstanding example of using architectural complicated systems in Iran. In fact, Qanat is a tunnel-like channel underground which collects water from a main water source naming “mother well” in order to conduct water along tunnels and finally enable settlement and agriculture. The place where the water of Qanat exits from the surface is named Mazhar.

Shahr-i Sokhta (Burnt City)
Shahr-i Sokhta, one of the wonders in the ancient world, a unique sample of the first, the biggest and the most advanced urban establishments in the southeast of Iran, had been founded along the direction of the Hirmand River to Hamun Lake. Shahr-i Sokhta and its civilization, with more than 5000 years history, as a scientific, industrial, social, cultural and artistic center, was an archaeological site in the Bronze Age. The establishment here initiated from 3200 BC and the archaeologists found the traces of four phases of life up to 1800 BC.

Bisotun
Bisotun world heritage site was a famous place in the history of ancient Iran and south-west Asia with an uninterrupted archeological sequence from pre–history to 20th century AD. Carved on limestone on the Bisotun hillside (southern hillside of Paru Mountain), Bisotun inscription is the largest, most famous and the first known Iranian inscription. Traces of a brown glaze and the lead layer in first lines of inscription seem to be parts of a previous coverage with an unknown coating which had been used in order to increase sustainability. Bisotun Mountain features not only a religious role, but also it is located along the ancient trade route linking the west and center of Iran with Mesopotamia and therefore, it was highly visible to public.

Bam & Its Cultural Landscape
Arg-e-Bam, the largest mud brick complex of the world, is a huge fort, at the heart of which the main Arg (castle) is located as the highest sector; however, the name “Arg-e Bam” refers to the whole construction. Bam city and its Arg had been among the most historical military forts constructed along the Silk Road. According to some narrations, the origins of this Bam complex can be traced back to Achaemenid or Parthian eras, although it continued to live as a residential area up to the late Qajar period.

Susa
The ancient city of Susa was founded as one of the most important and glorious settlements in the world dated back to 4000 BC (according to some theorists, it dated back to ca. 7000 BC). This historical area has been a place of urban life from the ancient times until now and once upon a time, it was the point of encounter between two major civilizations of the ancient world, “Mesopotamia” and “Elam”, as the oldest city of the world. .

Tabriz Historic Bazaar Complex
Known as the largest enclosed complex in Iran and anywhere around the world, Tabriz Historic Bazaar Complex is, as a city block, the most important and completed social organization among Iran bazaars. The complex includes different commercial, religious, cultural, health, sports, hygienic and residential functions; the complex including many houses for local and non-local traders is the masterpiece of Iranian architecture.

Masjed-e Jame of Isfahan
Known as one of the most important and among the earliest religious buildings in Iran, Masjed-e Jāmé of Isfahan is a magnificent and exquisite, artistically and technically significant monument, which embraces several phases of Islamic architectural development. The mosque is one of the largest and the most mysterious mosques in the Muslim world in which the main building was developed in early Islamic period, on the basis of a late Sassanid monument.

Historic city of Yazd
The historic city of Yazd, a vast and ancient region dated back with ato several thousand years ago history for several thousand years, is considered as the most extensive, most systematic and most original historical area of Iran and the second largest residential adobe area of the world. The extent, integrity and preservedation of the historical originality aspects of the city, as well as the use of indigenous local materials and consumption of the least energy in the construction of adobe buildings is one of the most distinctive features of the Yazd unique architecture compatible with the hot and dry aride climate of the desert.

Takht-e Soleyman
Known as an important historical and cultural complex and, according to legend, the birthplace of Zoroaster, Takht-e Soleyman had been the dwelling of different tribes along history: Mendes, Achaemenian, Parthian, Sassanian and Ilkhanian. It was considered as one of the largest pre-Islamic Iranian instructional, religious, social and worship center.

Caspian Hyrcanian Forests
Remained from Cenozoic geology and Ice Age due to the northern temperate weather in the region, Hyrcanian forests are a unique forested massif along the southern coast of Caspian Sea, related to Triassic period which was inscribed as the 2nd Iran’s natural heritage on UNESCO World Heritage List. The Hyrcanian forests have been extended in some parts of five provinces including Semnan, Golestan, Gilan, Mazandaran and North Khorasan with 1.9 million HA area (approximate length of 800 kilometers and the width of 20-70 kilometers) from Astara in the north of Gilan province to Golidagh in the east of Golestan province.

The Persian Gardens
Diversity of designs and exclusive architectural styles in Persian gardens symbolizes the image of Eden with four Zoroastrian elements of sky, earth, water and plants. Persian garden with three certain features and an exclusive design is globally well-known as outstanding example of Persian culture: (1) located along the water stream; (2) surrounded by high walls; and (3) contained a summer edifice and a pool of water.

Sassanid Archaeological Landscape of Fars Region
Sassanid Archaeological Landscape of Fars Region includes the most valuable historical monuments in terms of, architectural and urban is monuments development, palaces, forts and reliefs related to Sassanid empire (224 to 658 AD) and it is all located in the historical regions of Firouz Abad, Bishapur and Sarvestan. We can visit here a collection of glorious art of architectural decoration including Iwan construction, the first examples of a dome construction rising above on the quadrangle structures, using adobe and ballast stone carcass with Sarooj mortar and art of stone carving. art used in exist monuments in Sassanid archaeological landscape of Fars region.

General information
Iran (officially the Islamic Republic of Iran) is a large country located in the Middle East. It is bordered to the north by the Caspian Sea and the south by the Persian Gulf. With an area of 1,648,195 square kilometers, Iran is the 17th largest country in the world. It is a proof you have to spend more than a couple of days in Iran!

Tehran, the capital city of Iran, is the country’s largest and most populated city. Isfahan, Shiraz, Tabriz and Mashhad are other major cities of the country.

Persian (Farsi) is the official language of the country and is widely spoken. A large number of people also speak other languages/dialects namely Azeri, Kurdish, Luri, Arabic, Baluchi, Gilaki, Mazandarani/Tabari, and Turkmen.

Geography
Bordering Countries & Coastlines
Located in southwestern Asia, Iran shares its entire northern border with the Republics of Armenia, Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan (all parts of the former Soviet Union). Of all the 2,670 kilometer northern borders, 650 kilometers is coastline border with the Caspian Sea. Iran’s western borders are shared with Turkey in the north and Iraq in the south. Afghanistan and Pakistan are Iran’s neighbors from the East. To the south, Iran’s border is the long coastline of the Persian Gulf and Oman Sea.

Persian Gulf is the shallow marginal part of the Indian Ocean. The sea area of 240,000 square kilometers start from the Arvand Rud delta to the Strait of Hormoz, which links it with the Sea of Oman. It is bordered on the north, northeast and east by Iran, on the northwest by Iraq and Kuwait, on the west and southwest by Saudi Arabia and Qatar, and on the south and the southeast by the UAE and partly by Oman.

Islands
Iran has the largest number of islands in the Persian Gulf, the most important of which are as follows: Minoo, Kharg (Iranian oil terminal, site of one of the world’s largest deep-water oil ports), Sheikh Sa’ad, Sheikh Sho’ayb, Hendurabi, Kish (a free zone and the largest island of Iran in the Strait of Hormoz), Farur, Siri, Abu Mussa, the Greater and Lesser Tumbs, Qeshm, Hengam, Larak, Farsi, Hormoz, and Lavan.

The southern part has many ports too. The most significant Iranian ports on the Persian Gulf are Abadan, Khorramshahr, Bandar-e Imam Khomeini (former Shahpur), Mahshahr, Deilam, Genaveh, Rig, Bushehr, Bandar-e Lengeh, and Bandar-e Abbas.

Rivers
Several rivers are flowing inside Iran mainland, the only navigable of which is the Karun (920-km). Other large rivers are: The Atrak (535 km), Dez (515 km), Hendijan (488 km), Jovein (440 km) Jarahi (438 km), Karkheh (755 km), Mand (685 km), Qara Chai (540 km), Sefid Rud (795 km), and the Zayandeh Rud (405 km). During the summertime, there is little water flowing in the mainland rivers.

Mountainous Areas & Deserts
Iran has two mountain ranges. The high Alborz range in the north rises 5,670 meter at Mount Damavend (the tallest peak in the country) and spreads from the southern part of the Caspian Sea all the way to the east close to the border lines of Khorasan. Zagros Mountain Range is another mountain range exceeding from northwest to southeast.

The eastern part of Iran country is the location of two salt deserts: Dasht-e Kavir and Dasht-e Lut with 1,287 km total long.

Economy
The economy of Iran is run by different forces; central planning, state ownership of oil production, agriculture, and private trading and service ventures joined together to move the economy.

Iran’s Official unit of currency is the Iranian Rial but Iranian people always use a more colloquially and historically known denomination of Tomans.

10 IR = 1 Toman. Everyone uses this word instead of Rial except for some special cases. It is common in Iran for a shop keeper to ask for 100 Tomans for an item that costs 1000 Rials.

If you follow the Iran news, you may be aware that the government cabinet has approved a call from the country’s central bank to change the currency from Rial to Toman. It is unclear when new Toman coins and notes will be minted and printed. If you are planning to exchange your money before arriving in Iran, it wouldn’t hurt to check the news beforehand.

Iran expects to attract billions of dollars of foreign investment by providing more favorable investment ground, such as reduced restrictions on tourism bureaucratic process and free-trade zones like in Kish Island.

Iran is one of the largest oil producer in the world and enjoys the world’s second largest natural gas reserves. However, the government is putting an extra focus on non-oil revenue by increasing state investments in tourism, agriculture, and marketing.

The export-based agricultural products include dates, flowers, and pistachios. Iran has also developed a successful biotechnology, nanotechnology, and pharmaceuticals industry. Iran’s trading partners are Germany, France, Italy, Russia, China, Japan and South Korea.

Agriculture
Agriculture is one of the historical industries in Iran. Domestication of goats dates back to 10,000 BC. Fruits like peaches were first imported to Europe from Persia. Natural archeological studies proved tulips were first cultivated in ancient Persia. It is interesting to know the terminology of the herb “spinach”; the word spinach is derived from the Persian word Esfenaj. The Chinese referred to it in 647CE as ‘the herb of Persia’.

History can be very delicious knowing ice cream was made in Persia since 400 BC, and cookies family tree lead them to Persian kulucheh in the 7th century.

The domestication of chickens dates back to 5,000 BC. It is funny to know that mid fifth century BC poet Cratinus (Athenaeus) calls the chicken “the Persian alarm”. In Aristophanes’ comedy The Birds (414 BC) a chicken is called “the Median bird”, which points to its introduction from Persia.

The Bahamas has long been one of the most eco-friendly destinations in the world—a protector of both the archipelago’s pristine beauty and its endangered species, including the Bahamian Rock Iguana and the West Indian flamingo, the national bird. The critically important work of preserving these natural environments is done by The Bahamas National Trust, an organisation noted for its vast wetland conservation efforts on Andros, New Providence, Exuma, Freeport, and Inagua, home to the largest remaining breeding colony of West Indian flamingos.

NATIONAL PARKS
A treasure trove of biodiversity, the Bahamas National Trust Parks are areas of pure aesthetic beauty and play a crucial part in the conservation of The Bahamas’ natural ecosystems.

ABACO NATIONAL PARK
Spanning 20,500 acres in South Abaco, the Abaco National Park was created to protect the Bahama Parrot and its breeding grounds. Today, with the help of the Bahamas National Trust and conservationists, the park welcomes thousands of Bahamas parrots every spring for the breeding season.

ANDROS NORTH & SOUTH MARINE PARKS
Andros is home to the third-largest barrier reef in the world, the Andros Barrier Reef, measuring over 124 miles long. In an effort to conserve the 8,500 acres of healthiest parts of the reef, these two national parks were created. In turn, a variety of marine life species are protected as well, and there are dive and snorkel spots throughout the parks for people who wish to get a closer look at these flourishing underwater environments.

BLACK SOUND CAY NATIONAL PARK
Located near Green Turtle Cay, this park is an important habitat for many migratory birds, including Painted buntings, Indigo buntings, American redstarts, and others. Mangrove Wetlands, which are important land builders and nursery grounds for many fish, are protected in this area.

BLUE HOLES NATIONAL PARK
Andros, the largest of the Bahamian islands, is home to the highest concentration of blue holes in the world. In an effort to protect these natural wonders, this 40,000 acre national park was formed, creating a safe haven for 22 blue holes and the surrounding pine forests. The park includes nature trails, a gazebo for relaxing, and the famous Captain Bill’s Blue Hole, a popular blue hole to dive into for those feeling adventurous enough.

BONEFISH POND NATIONAL PARK
Bonefish pond, which protects over 1,200 acres of important coastal wetlands, serves as the last remaining tidal mangrove ecosystem on the shores of Southern New Providence. Referred to as an “outdoor classroom” this park is ideal for educational ventures.

CONCEPTION ISLAND NATIONAL PARK
Conception Island, revered as one of the most beautiful Bahamian islands, has been uninhabited by humans for over 100 years. This park is a protected area, home to pink sand beaches, sandstone cliffs, mangroves and an abundance of marine and land wildlife.

CRAB REPLENISHMENT RESERVE
In order to meet the demands of heavy harvesting by Bahamians, the Crab Replenishment Reserve was created. This 4,000 acre reserve is home to both inland and coastal crabs, and crabs like the White and Black Land Crab, which have been a food staple for Bahamians for decades.

EXUMA CAYS LAND & SEA PARK
The Exuma Cays Land & Sea Park is The Bahamas and the wider Caribbean’s first marine reserve. This stretch of over 112,000 acres protects magnificence of coral reefs, mangroves, seagrasses, and tons of wildlife including birds, fish, turtles and iguanas. While you’re here, stroll along pristine beaches, traverse several hiking trails, and observe one of the world’s most stunning ecosystems.

FOWL CAYS NATIONAL PARK
Fowl Cays National Park is smaller in size, but still full of life. The park was introduced as a way to protect the seabed of the surrounding cays. Here you’ll find coral reef, seagrass beds, rocky shore and other valuable habitats.

GRAHAM’S HARBOUR IGUANA & SEABIRD NATIONAL PARK
This park devotes itself to protecting several species of seabirds and San Salvador’s rock iguanas, one of the rarest lizards on Earth. The park also protects extensive seagrass beds and reef systems that are important for fisheries.

GREEN’S BAY NATIONAL PARK
This is another area that protects the rare San Salvador rock iguana. Also within this park you’ll find a reef system, and a stretch of rocky shoreline that supports shearwaters and tropicbirds.

HARROLD & WILSON PONDS NATIONAL PARK
Harrold & Wilson Ponds National Park is 250 acres of protected wetland habitats for birdlife in New Providence. These habitats are extremely important to birdlife, since the concentration and variety of birds such as herons, egrets, ibises, and more, is so high in this area.

HOPE GREAT HOUSE
Located on the west coast of Crooked Island, this 3.6-acre national park protects the ancient remains of some Loyalist plantations from the beginning of the 19th century. This preserved historic property includes an artillery battery and living quarters, and at the top of the ridge you can find cannons.

INAGUA NATIONAL PARK
Great Iguana, the southernmost island in The Bahamas, is home to this 287 square mile park, the site of the largest breeding colony of West Indian Flamingos in the world. After spending forty years on the endangered species list, there are now approximately 70,000 flamingos living on the island. But it isn’t just flamingos you’ll find when visiting. The park is also home to the native Bahama parrot, the endemic Inagua Woodstar Hummingbird, and many other unique bird species.

LEON LEVY NATIVE PLANT PRESERVE
Leon Levy Native Plant Preserve is the first national park in Eleuthera. This 25-acre botanic garden showcases a variety of native and endemic Bahamian plants, along with insects, reptiles, and birds. This preserve is used as a research centre for traditional bush medicine, as well as an educational centre.

LITTLE INAGUA NATIONAL PARK
The largest uninhabited island in the Wider Caribbean, these remote saltwaters contribute to the supply of fisheries, eggs, larvae, and sub-adults that are swept into the other parts of the Bahamian marine territory. The 62,800 acre park is a protected area and nesting location for the critically endangered sea turtle, as well as protection of the marine ecosystem for fishery replenishment purposes.

LUCAYAN NATIONAL PARK
Lucayan National Park is the 2nd most visited park in The Bahamas, and an important part of Freeport’s economy. This park protects one of the world’s longest charted underwater cave systems, preserved remains of the Lucayan Indians, and natural environments like pine forests, mangroves creeks, coral reefs, and the world-famous Gold Rock Beach. This is the perfect park for history and nature lovers alike.

MARINE FARM
Crooked Island’s plantation history dates back to the 19th century. By then, the island was home to more than 40 plantations and 1200 slaves. This 4.4 acre national park protects the remains of some of these historic plantations.

MORIAH HARBOUR CAY NATIONAL PARK
This 6,800 acre stretch of beaches, sand dunes, mangrove creeks, seagrass beds, blue holes, and coral reefs is a vital part of the ecosystem between Great and Little Exuma. The park includes stunning land and seascapes, shifting sandbars, mangroves, creeks, lagoons and more. With these habitats come a variety of wildlife, including birdlife, queen conch, spiny lobster, and others.

PELICAN CAYS LAND AND SEA PARK
Pelican Cays Land and Sea Park, the second land and sea park created at the time of its emergence, is an ideal spot for diving and snorkeling due to the extraordinary reef systems. Among these reefs are a variety of tropical marine life, with more than 170 species, including the endangered sea turtle, documented within the park.

PETERSON CAY NATIONAL PARK
This small, one-and-a-half acre area of protected marine habitat is recognized as an Important Bird Area because of its significant population of Bridled Terns.

PIGEON CREEK & SNOW BAY NATIONAL PARK
As San Salvador’s only tidal creek, Pigeon Creek is an important conservation area. The park’s creek houses mangroves, seagrasses, hard bottom corals and sponges and is home to the island’s main population of sea urchins. It’s the only nursery area for the Nassau Grouper, as well as a nursery for spiny lobster and reef fish.

PRIMEVAL FOREST NATIONAL PARK
This undisturbed old-growth woodland is reminiscent of the early tropical forests of The Bahamas. Home to dramatic sinkholes, diverse animals and plants, and one of the last remaining places you can find the blackland coppice that once covered the island.

RAND NATURE CENTRE
Rand Nature Centre in Freeport is now home of the administrative office of the Bahamas National Trust. The centre is home to a wide range of flora, and a well-known birding spot.

THE RETREAT GARDEN
The Retreat Garden is exactly how it sounds- a retreat from the hustle and bustle of Nassau. This botanical garden is 11 acres of rare tropical plants, palms, native hardwoods, and a haven for migratory and residential birds.

SOUTHERN GREAT LAKE NATIONAL PARK
Southern Great Lake National Park, located in the centre of San Salvador, protects an extensive mangrove ecosystem and the endangered San Salvador rock iguana.

TILLOO CAY NATIONAL RESERVE
This park was created in efforts to protect several species of Tropic Birds, which use this cay’s shoreline as a nesting site. Among these birds is the White-Tailed Tropicbird, the typical Tropicbird of The Bahamas. This 11-acre area is brimming with natural beauty.

UNION CREEK RESERVE
Union Creek, a known sea turtle research centre, is located in the northwest corner of the Inagua National Park. This reserve is a natural habitat for Green and Hawksbill turtles, along with mangroves and lush seagrass beds. This reserve plays a large role in protecting the endangered sea turtle population.

WALKER’S CAY NATIONAL PARK
With its own barrier reef surrounding this northern cay, Walker’s Cay is brimming with unique marine life and ideal for diving excursions.

WEST COAST MARINE PARK
West Coast Marine Park is famously recognized as the place where Christopher Columbus first made landfall in The Bahamas. Home to breathtaking coral wall formations and pristine beaches, divers and visitors find this park an alluring attraction.

The Bahamas delivers the spectacular. With 16 unique islands, the possibilities for your Big Day are endless. Getting your marriage licence is easy and our wedding specialists are here to assist every step of the way.

TOP REASONS WHY
MORE COUPLES GET MARRIED IN THE BAHAMAS
Otherworldly Scenarios
Dream-come-true settings are our specialty.

Begin Ever After, Right After
Marry on one island; honeymoon on another.

SOMETHING BLUE
A wedding on a secluded sandbar is intimate, yet grand. Share it with a few of your closest friends or let it be just the two of you, married under an arbour in the middle of the ocean.

Get Married on One Island,
HONEYMOON ON ANOTHER
Top off the island destination wedding of your dreams with a seamless honeymoon exit. The destination? One of the dozens of easy-to-reach islands–ranging from laid-back Eleuthera to luxe Harbour Island–where you can slip off the grid and revel in island romance.

From pink sand beaches and lush tropical gardens to elegant ballrooms and intimate hideaways, The Islands of The Bahamas offers countless magical settings for your wedding ceremony.

Our People-to-People programme is based on a simple idea—locals know best.
This immersive cultural experience pairs inquisitive travellers with volunteer locals who generously open their hearts and homes to share their love of these islands. Ask anyone who has connected through the People-to-People programme; they’ll tell you it’s the fastest and best way to find the tastiest fish fry on Arawak Cay in Nassau, reach the most secluded beaches on Long Island, and discover the most photogenic corners in Freeport’s Lucayan National Park.

EXPERIENCES
CULTURE
If you love history and culture, we’ll pair you with a like-minded culture buff to explore The Bahamas’ past and present. From seaside fortresses to pirate hideaways, you’ll enjoy a unique opportunity to hear about the historic events that shaped our beloved islands. A day with an ambassador might include:
– A guided tour of Fort Fincastle and a walk up the Queen’s Staircase in Nassau.
– A look around Bimini’s Dolphin House Museum.
– A visit to Johnston’s Bronze Art Foundry in The Abacos.
– A tea party at Nassau’s historic Government House, hosted by prominent Bahamian women.

CULINARY
If you’re a food lover, we’ll connect you with a fellow foodie for a once-in-a-lifetime culinary adventure in The Bahamas. Our ambassadors love introducing visitors to their favourite restaurants and they’ll often invite you into their home for an authentic Bahamian meal. They might even:
– Take you to the Fish Fry at Arawak Cay for island favourites like conch salad and fried snapper.
– Invite you to a “sip sip” (aka a good-natured gossip session with the neighbors).
– Share their family recipe for Johnny cakes.

NATURAL WONDERS
The Bahamas is an ecological oasis with endless natural wonders just waiting to be explored. We’ll introduce you to an ambassador who knows the ins and outs of every blue hole and pink sand beach. Highlights include:
– Diving into Dean’s Blue Hole on Long Island, the second deepest in the world.
– Marvelling at the beauty of the Glass Window Bridge in Eleuthera.
– Walking through all six of The Bahamas’ ecosystems within Freeport’s Lucayan National Park.

FAMILY
Bringing the kids? Tag along with one of our ambassadors and get the inside scoop on The Bahamas’ best family-friendly activities. Whatever the age range and interests of your family, you’ll enjoy a unique opportunity to experience The Bahamas just like a local. A typical day might include:
– Feeding the sun-loving iguanas in The Exumas.
– Shopping for Bahamian-made souvenirs at Nassau’s world-famous Straw Market.
– Riding the waves on Surfer’s Beach in Eleuthera.
– Meeting the pink flamingos at Ardastra Gardens, Zoo & Conservatory in Nassau.

Bahrain has been inhabited since prehistoric times, and several thousand burial mounds in the northern part of the main island probably date from the Sumerian period of the 3rd millennium BCE. It was the seat of ancient Dilmun (Telmun), a prosperous trading centre linking Sumer with the Indus valley about 2000 BCE. The archipelago was mentioned by Persian, Greek, and Roman geographers and historians. It has been Arab and Muslim since the Muslim conquest of the 7th century CE, though it was ruled by the Portuguese from 1521 to 1602 and by the Persians from 1602 to 1783. Since 1783 it has been ruled by sheikhs of the Khalīfah family (Āl Khalīfah), which originated in the Al-Ḥasā province of Arabia.

The British protectorate
Several times during the 19th century, the British intervened to suppress war and piracy and to prevent the establishment of Egyptian, Persian, German, or Russian spheres of influence. The first Bahraini-British treaty was signed in 1820, although the country’s British-protected status dates from 1861, with the completion of a treaty by which the sheikh agreed to refrain from “the prosecution of war, piracy, or slavery.” Thus, Britain assumed responsibility for the defense of Bahrain and for the conduct of its relations with other major powers. In 1947 this protection briefly became the responsibility of the government of British India, which had both commercial and strategic interests in the Persian Gulf, but it reverted to Britain following India’s independence. Until 1970 the government of Iran periodically advanced claims to sovereignty over Bahrain, but these were repudiated.

Britain’s decision to withdraw all of its forces from the gulf in 1968 led Sheikh ʿIsa ibn Salman Al Khalifah to proclaim Bahrain’s independence in August 1971. A treaty of friendship was signed with the United Kingdom, terminating Bahrain’s status as a British protectorate, and Sheikh ʿIsa was designated the emir. Bahrain then became a member of the United Nations and the Arab League.

Domestic and foreign relations since independence
After independence, tensions mounted between the predominantly Shiʿi population and Sunni leadership—especially following the 1979 revolution in Iran. The political unrest was fueled by economic and social grievances related to the fall in oil prices and production, cutbacks in public spending, and continued discrimination against the majority Shiʿi population.

In 1981 Bahrain joined with five other Arab gulf states in forming the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), which has led to freer trading and closer economic and defense ties. During the Persian Gulf War (1990–91), Bahrain made its port and airfields available to the coalition forces that drove Iraqi forces out of Kuwait. Although more moderate than Saudi Arabia, Bahrain has generally followed that country’s lead in most foreign policy decisions. The construction of the causeway linking Bahrain with Saudi Arabia has strengthened bilateral relations and regional defense and has helped both countries economically and politically.

Bahrain has maintained relatively good relations with the United States and has continued to house the U.S. Navy’s Fifth Fleet. Iran’s ties to the country’s Shiʿi community, its territorial claims to the island, and its displeasure with the American presence in Bahrain have helped to strain relations between it and Bahrain. Resolution in 2001 of the dispute between Bahrain and Qatar over the Ḥawār Islands improved their already warming relations.

Ethnic groups
Roughly half of the population is Arab, and most inhabitants are native-born Bahrainis, but some are Palestinians, Omanis, or Saudis. Foreign-born inhabitants, constituting about half of the population, are mostly from Iran, India, Pakistan, Britain, and the United States. About three-fifths of the labour force is foreign-born.

Languages
Arabic is the official language of Bahrain. English is widely used, however, and is a compulsory second language at all schools. Persian is also common, although it is spoken mostly in the home. A number of other languages are spoken among expatriates in Bahrain, including Urdu, Hindi, and Tagalog.

Religion of Bahrain
The population is predominately Muslim and includes both the Sunni and the Shiʿi sects, with the latter in the majority. The ruling family and many of the wealthier and more influential Bahrainis are Sunni, and this difference has been an underlying cause of political and social tension. Christians constitute about half of the remaining one-fifth of the population, with the rest consisting of Jews, Hindus, and Bahāʾīs.

Bahrain’s island location has made it unique among Persian Gulf states. With greater access to ocean travel and broader exposure to outside influences, Bahrain traditionally has been home to a more ethnically and religiously diverse and cosmopolitan population than have other, more insular gulf states. This openness is reflected in Bahrain’s social customs, which—although still conservative—are much more moderate and relaxed than those of its neighbours, particularly conservative Saudi Arabia. Thus, although Bahrain is still at heart an Arab-Islamic country, it has been more accepting of modernization and Westernization than many of its neighbours.

Daily life and social customs
The official holidays in Bahrain are generally the same as those observed in most Muslim countries. These include the two festivals, Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha, the Prophet Muhammad’s birthday, and, more recently, the celebration of ʿĀshūrā among the country’s Shiʿis.

Western-style clothing is common in Bahrain, though some men still wear the traditional thawb (full-length tunic) and the kaffiyeh (white head cloth), bound in place by a black, camel-hair cord known as an ʿiqāl—the latter often more ornate, particularly among the political elite. The dress rules for women are relaxed compared to the more conservative, regional standards, although women in rural areas, and those in conservative communities in cities, still wear the veil (ḥijāb) and a traditional long cloak known as an ʿabāyah.

Coffee is an important part of social life. Coffee shops are popular meeting places, and coffee is offered as a sign of hospitality. It is often flavoured with cardamom and saffron. Bahraini cuisine typically features fish, shrimp, meat, rice, and dates. Machbous is a popular traditional dish of fish or meat served with rice. Other typical food includes muḥammar, sweet brown rice with sugar or dates, and shāwarmah, spit-roasted lamb, beef, or chicken.

The arts
Traditional handicraft industries receive state and popular support, and most villages practice specialized traditions; ʿĀlī, for example, is well known for its ceramics, while artists in Karbābād weave baskets from date-palm leaves. Throughout the country artisans engage in gold working, tinsmithing, and textile making and sell their wares at small shops or the Souk al-Arabaʿāʾ (“Wednesday Market”) in Manama. Shipyards at Manama and Al-Muḥarraq are sites of dhow building, a highly respected art form. The museum in Manama contains local artifacts dating from antiquity, such as ivory figurines, pottery, copper articles, and gold rings, many of which reflect various cultural influences from outside Bahrain. There is also a small but flourishing avant-garde art community.

Music is an important part of Bahraini life. There is a rich folk music culture, and fidjeri, songs once sung by pearl divers, are still heard. Since 1991 the country has held an annual music festival. Although the country does not have a film industry, moviegoing is a popular activity, and some of Bahrain’s cinema theatres screen English-language films. In the early 21st century the government undertook a program to encourage the development of theatre.

Experience Our History & Culture. Interesting Facts About Barbados.

HISTORY & CULTURE
The history of Barbados is unique, and we Bajans (the familiar term for Barbadians) are at ease with our past and proud architects of our future.

Start your Caribbean cultural holiday here with some interesting facts about Barbados
– Our island was colonised by the English early in the 17th century
– Before then, Barbados was inhabited by Carib and Arawak Native Americans
– Transformed by the plantation system and slavery, we were the world’s number one sugar producer by 1650
– Barbados is the oldest continuing parliamentary democracy outside England
– We achieved universal voting rights in 1943 and opted for full independence from the UK in 1966
– Our cultural roots are in the plantation slavery economy, a unique blend of West African and European
– We speak English with a distinct accent, spiced with words in West African-English pidgin called Bajan
– Enrich your Barbados experience by visiting some of our amazing historical places, including Gun Hill Signal Station, George Washington House and our Parliament Buildings in historic Bridgetown. Take time to look back in time.

HISTORIC ARCHITECTURE
Barbados combines visually stunning buildings with the chance to learn about the famous historical architects behind them
The island of Barbados is packed with more stunning historical architectural buildings than anywhere else in the Caribbean. In years gone by, buildings were constructed from coral rather than wood, a natural resource which was popular on the islands. Take a look around Barbados and you’ll stumble across historical architectural styles gracing the imposing and unique great houses, some of which date back as far as the early 17th century. Plantation Houses such as these showcase Caribbean colonial architecture which dates from the British influence of the Georgian and Jacobean eras. If historical sightseeing has drawn you to Barbados, then waste no time heading for the museums, old towns and traditional villages. Combining uniquely Caribbean charm with a genuine glimpse into the past, these sites are also home to statues, monuments and fascinating landmarks. The Garrison, located in the Barbados capital of Bridgetown, is a Unesco World heritage site, and the Barbados National trust, as well as private patrons, has been heavily involved in restoring the examples of historical architectural styles to their former glory.

Of course, Barbados is now home to modern buildings, infrastructure and architecture, but the locals are in no hurry to sweep the past aside. Modern buildings offer the facilities visitors rely upon, but do so in a way which is sympathetic to the colonial architecture surrounding them. A historic sightseeing tour of this part of the Caribbean is a treat packed with secret treasures, timeless sites and local charm.

LANDMARKS AND MONUMENTS
Barbados is an island where the past sits side by side with the present. The Caribbean landmarks and famous historical sites bring history to vibrant life.

If you’re planning a holiday on the stunning Caribbean island of Barbados, make sure your sightseeing itinerary takes in visits to some of the many famous historical monuments and landmarks. Virtually every aspect of life in Barbados is captured in a landmark or monument of some kind – from military history and architecture all the way to religious sites and the story of Barbadian agriculture. Stunning natural landmarks abound, such as Animal Flower Cave, Coles Cave, Harrison’s Cave and The Spout, while those which have been constructed by the people of the island include the Bridgetown Historical Centre, Garrison Historic Area, Nidhe Israel Synagogue, St. James Parish Church, Drax Hall Estate, Sam Lord’s Castle and St. Nicholas Abbey, to name just a few. Barbados people are proud of their history, and you can visit and take photographs which will make you proud to have been a witness to it.

The rich history and heritage of Barbados means that the island is packed with monuments and statues celebrating the individuals who have played key roles in its cultural and social development. Travel to Highway 1 on the Emancipation roundabout and you’ll find Bussa, a massive bronze statue depicting a slave with broken chains, which celebrates the emancipation of the island and its people. In Rock Hall you’ll find a similar monument depicting a family of freed slaves in celebration of the fact that Rock Hall was the first free village in Barbados. The capital of Bridgetown boasts more patriotic monuments and memorials than anywhere else in the Caribbean, and iconic examples such as the Emancipation Statue and Independence Arch attract sightseeing tourists from all over the world.

LIBRARIES AND MUSEUMS
The libraries and museums in Barbados are packed with fascinating books and beautiful objects, everyone with a story to tell.
If you’re looking for a Barbados library, then you’re pretty much spoiled for choice. The two main examples on the island are the Shilstone Memorial Library and the National Library in the capital Bridgetown. The first of these, the Shilstone Library, has a diverse and fascinating collection of more than 6,000 books journals and pamphlets. No matter what area of life in the Caribbean interests you, you’ll find plenty worth exploring here – from history, pre-history and archaeology, through to information on art, architecture, furniture and craft, alongside a collection of stunning rare books from the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries. As a visitor to Barbados you can become a member of the National Library and while away some time exploring the reference section, which is packed with information on the society and history of this beautiful island.

If you want to take a more hands-on approach to studying Barbados history, then visit one of the many museums in Barbados. There are no fewer than nine museums, where you’ll find information and educational content, set out in an interactive and entertaining manner. The newest of the museums boast state of the art displays which utilize cutting edge technology, but the more traditional institutions have plenty of offer visitors as well. The Barbados Museum and Historical Society has an amazing 500,000 artifacts which, between them, preserve the past of Barbados and tell the tale of Caribbean development right up until the 21st Century.

Some of the museums in Barbados are housed within buildings which, in themselves, are historically significant. Pay a visit while you’re exploring the island and you’ll relish the chance to explore its rich and fascinating history.

MUSIC AND ENTERTAINMENT
Enjoy live music in Barbados when you visit the venues that have entertained visitors from all over the world
You’ll never be short of entertainment and fun when you visit Barbados. Step out under the stars and you’ll find an exciting and unique slice of nightlife around every single corner. From Barbados calypso music at a music festival to jumping bars, tempting rum shops and a piano bar hosted by a world famous Broadway star, you’re sure to be able to find something that fits with your idea of fun. No matter what your idea of a good night out is, it’s waiting for you in Barbados – from romantic cruises and dinner shows to night submarine dives and special activities for children, there’s always something happening. If you want a unique taste of Caribbean entertainment, then take in some limbo and fire eating as part of a floor show you’ll remember forever.

As well as fantastic weather, beautiful beaches and the stunning shoreline, Barbados is famed for its music with live performers keen to entertain every visitor in venues scattered across the island. Dance along to folk and popular music or sample the more sedate pleasures of performances with a Western classical or religious influence. In Barbados, the music of Britain and Africa comes together, creating the diversity of Barbadian folk, Caribbean jazz and opera, reggae, tuk music, calypso, spouge and soca.

Amongst the stars you’ll find performing in Barbados will be those famous the whole world over as well as performers who’ve conquered the Caribbean. If you want award winning quality then you’re in the right place and Barbados music festivals attract an international roster of artistes, offering a taste of every type and genre of music. If you’re dreaming of a trip to Barbados, then rest assured the sweet sound of music will be a huge part of it.

LOCAL CUISINE
Combine sun, sea and sand with tasty local Caribbean food when you take your vacation on Barbados
Barbados is famed for stunning beaches and the beauty of the sea which surrounds it, but every year thousands of visitors discover just why it’s also known as the ‘Culinary Capital of the Caribbean’. The cuisine you’ll find in Barbados is as diverse as it is delicious. The many cultures that have explored, colonized and enjoyed the island have each brought their own distinct flavors and ideas, and these have combined to produce a unique tropical offering. A typical Bajan meal might take influences from Africa, India, Ireland and Britain and combine them in the following way; a main meal of meat or fish, marinated in herbs and spices, accompanied by a selection of salads and a range of hot and spicy side dishes. Officially, the National Dish of Barbados is Cou-cou and Flying Fish, and it consists of cornmeal grain and fresh okra, together with savory stewed flying fish flavored with deliciously fresh onion, garlic, thyme, tomatoes and pepper. Also popular with visitors and locals alike are fish cakes. Delicious fried morsels, these snacks consist of salted cod, flour, herbs and pepper, and you’ll find them all over the island, from casual dining spots to the most sophisticated soirees.

Fine dining in the best local restaurants offers sophisticated cuisine prepared by chefs from all over the world. Many of the best eateries offer fresh seafood such as snapper, kingfish and shrimp, prepared using a dazzling variety of delicious techniques. Your local hosts will always ensure that there’s plenty of drink on hand when you’re dining, and a fresh fruit drink made with Mount Gay rum will help to counter the fiery heat of so many Bajan dishes. One example is felernum, a drink which combines sugar, amaretto, rum and lime juice in a delicious taste explosion, while mauby is a non-alcoholic alternative made from the juice of boiled bark.

Visit Barbados and discover our rich and fascinating heritage

BARBADOS HERITAGE
Discover Barbados heritage through our vibrant culture, historic buildings and the friendly people who live here.

With a rich cultural mix of customs and traditions from our English, African and West Indian ancestry, Barbados has a unique culture with strong links to the past.

As well as an enviable mix of sun, sea and sand, Barbados is proud of our globally significant heritage sights and attractions. Visitors to Barbados can enjoy the best of both worlds.

Barbados is known for its wonderfully warm climate, clear, azure-blue seas and soft sandy beaches. Add in tropical forests and lush natural beauty and you have a recipe for paradise. It’s no surprise Barbados is one of the world’s most sought after holiday destinations, and lucky visitors will tell you that there’s so much more to this tropical island. Welcoming people, the best food in the Caribbean and the relaxed lifestyle ensure our visitors fall in love with Barbados. World-class heritage is the icing on the cake.

If you have a passion for history and a love of the past, look no further than Barbados. With a designated UNESCO world heritage site and a rich and colourful story, visitors can immerse themselves in history and watch it brought to life around them through historic sites, traditions, festivals and fun cultural events throughout the year.

HISTORIC BRIDGETOWN AND ITS GARRISON
BARBADOS UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE SITE
On June 25, 2011 Barbados joined an elite group of nations with world heritage properties when Historic Bridgetown and its Garrison was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. This inscription is a tremendous feat for a small Caribbean island states. It presented the opportunity to address the obvious geographical imbalance in sites from Latin American and the Caribbean. UNESCO’s commitment to the identification, protection and preservation of the world’s cultural and natural heritage is enshrined in the Convention concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage (1972).

World Heritage sites are places on Earth that are of Outstanding Universal Value to humanity. In other words, these properties must have significance not only for the countries in which they are located, but for the world as a whole. As such, they have been inscribed on the World Heritage List to be protected for future generations to appreciate and enjoy.
Historical Importance

Since European settlement almost 400 years ago, Bridgetown became a major port for the shipment of goods, including sugar, and enslaved people in the British Atlantic World. Bridgetown’s irregular settlement patterns and early 17th century street layout reflects the medieval influence of early English settlers on town planning. Its spontaneous development and serpentine street layout supported the development and transformation of creolized forms of tropical architecture built by African labour in a European style.

Barbados was the first port of call for ships making the trans-Atlantic crossing. The island’s geographic location created a strategic military advantage, protecting British trade interests against French, Spanish and Dutch aggression, while also projecting Britain’s imperial power in the region. The town’s fortified port spaces were linked along the Bay Street corridor from the town to the Garrison, circling Carlisle Bay. A complex system of military government evolved in Historic Bridgetown’s Garrison after 1650 and the site developed into one of the most structurally complete and functional British colonial garrisons in the Atlantic World.

Historic Bridgetown and its Garrison participated in the international trade of not only goods and people, but also in the transmission of ideas and cultures in the colonial Atlantic World. By the 17th century, trade relationships were established with England, North America, Africa and the colonial Caribbean, making the port a cosmopolitan centre of commerce, settlement and exploitation.

Bridgetown Today
Bridgetown today still functions as one of the island’s business and commercial hubs. Visitors will also appreciate the abundance of malls and duty free shopping available in Bridgetown, as well as the local charm the city brings. Street vendors with their colourful trays of fresh produce and goods can still be found plying their trade in certain locations across Bridgetown. The inner marina and famous Chamberlain Bridge create a safe space for fishing boats, catamarans and pleasure crafts. The east end of the boardwalk leads to Independence Square, a quiet respite in the center of the city. The square has many benches that offer beautiful waterfront views of some of Bridgetown’s most historic buildings, including the Parliament Building.

BARBADOS UNESCO ATTRACTIONS
Bridgetown is a port town and the capital of Barbados. Its central business district is the national centre serving as the primary focus for major office, parliamentary, and shopping services for the island. The Garrison is one of eight Cultural Heritage Conservation Areas on the island and represents a very distinguished era of military colonial history. Within the precincts of this Site, there are one hundred and fifteen listed buildings. The combination of Historic Bridgetown and its Garrison represents a worthy collection of history, colonial and vernacular architecture and good elements of the art and science of town planning.

A blend of West African and British cultures
COLONIAL PAST
Barbados was settled by the English in 1624 and the influence of Britain continued uninterrupted for centuries to follow. The culture of Barbados is a blend of West African and British cultures. English is the official language, a consequence of the British colonial rule. However, any ‘Bajan’, another name for Barbadian, would attest that it is in the use of Bajan dialect that they really express Barbadian culture.

Colonial Rule
The island’s British influence commenced nearly four centuries ago in 1625, when Captain John Powell claimed it in the name of King James I. The first British colonists arrived two years later, founding a settlement of 80 civilians and 10 African slaves. From inception, Barbados adopted the British style of government, creating a Parliamentary democracy in 1639. During the colonial period, all members of the Legislative Assembly were members of the elite-plantocracy.

After Britain abolished slavery in 1838, non-whites quickly began to play a role in the island’s government, with the first non-white member elected in 1843.

Barbados gained full political independence from Britain in 1966, but chose to retain its traditional parliamentary democracy governmental style and remains a member of the Commonwealth of Nations.

The love of the sport of cricket continues to be reflected as an essential part of Barbados’ culture. The most popular sport in Barbados, its cricket team has won numerous regional titles. Many players on the team go on to greater success on West Indies team to compete in international games. One of the most highly regarded cricket players of all time, Sir Garfield Sobers, is a Barbados native.

Bajans have a deep-rooted spiritual conscious
BAJAN PEOPLE
Barbadians are as we locally refer to ourselves as “Bajans”, are slightly different in comparison to other Caribbean islands. Bajans have a deep-rooted spiritual and religious consciousness. Various values and rules of etiquette that have been passed down through the generations, which have lead to our people being courteous, thoughtful and generous. Don’t be surprised by a flood of Good mornings, Good afternoons and Good nights from passerbys as you traverse the island.

At the heart of the Bajan culture we love to entertain and socialise, debating topics from world politics to which local bar makes the best fish cakes. Most of these debates occur at hundreds of our local rum shops, where people from every social and ethnic background can converge. For the shy and timid who visit the island, be prepared to have those qualities disarmed by our Bajan inviting personality and witty charm. Here are some more quick facts about our people.

Ethnic groups
The population of Barbados is predominantly black (92.4%) or mixed (3.1%).[1] 2.7% of the population is white and 1.3% South Asian. The remaining 0.4% of the population includes East Asians (0.1%) and Middle Easterners (0.1%).

Languages
English is the official language of Barbados, and is used for communications, administration, and public services all over the island. In its capacity as the official language of the country, the standard of English tends to conform to the vocabulary, pronunciations, spellings, and conventions akin to, but not exactly the same as, those of British English.

A regional variant of English referred to locally as Bajan is spoken by most Barbadians in everyday life especially in informal settings. In its full-fledged form, Bajan sounds markedly different from the Standard English heard on the island. The degree of intelligibility between Bajan and general English depends on the level of creolized vocabulary and idioms. A Bajan speaker may be completely unintelligible to an English speaker from another country. Bajan is influenced by other Caribbean English dialects.

Religion
According to the 2010 census, 75.6% of the population of Barbados are considered Christian, 2.6% have a non-Christian religion and 20.6% have no religion.

Anglicanism constitutes the largest religious group, with 23.9% of the population. It is represented by the Church in the Province of the West Indies, within which the island belongs to the Diocese of Barbados. Pentecostals are the second largest group (19.5%).

The next largest group are Seventh-day Adventists, 5.9% of the population, followed by Methodists (4.2%). 3.8% of the population are Roman Catholics. Other Christians include Wesleyans (3.4%), Nazarenes (3.2%), Church of God (2.4%), Jehovah’s Witnesses (2.0%), Baptists (1.8), Moravians (1.2%), Brethren (0.5%), the Salvationists (0.4%) and Latter-day Saints ( 0.1%).

The number of non-Christians is small. 0.7% of the population are Muslims, most of whom are immigrants or descendants of Indian immigrants from the Indian state of Gujarat. There are three mosques and an Islamic centre. Other religious groups include the Rastafarians (1.0% of the population), Rastafarianism was introduced to Barbados in 1975, Hindus(0.5%), Jews (0.05%), the Baha is (0.04%) and Buddhists.

The Best Festivals in the Caribbean
FESTIVALS AND ARTS
Various festivals are celebrated in Barbados annually. From January till December several venues on the island come alive in celebration for one reason or another.

The Barbados Music Awards starts the celebrations in January, followed by the Holetown festival in Holetown St. James in February. Agrofest, an agricultural fair also takes place in February in Queen’s Park in the capital Bridgetown. March offers festivals catering to the foodie and to the horse racing enthusiast. These festivals are Oistins Fish Festival in Oistins, Christ Church and the Sandy Lane Gold Cup held at the Historic Garrison Savannah. The Barbados Reggae Festival which culminates at the historic Farley Hill National Park in St. Peter keeps the festivities pumping in April. Gospelfest a Christian celebration of poetry, dance and song is also staged at Farley Hill in the month of May.

The remaining months of the year consist of several other festivals inclusive of Visual Arts, Pan Pun De Sand, NIFCA (National Independence Festival of creative Arts) and Run Barbados to name a few. The variety of festivals on offer cater a myriad of interests and are sure to intrigue.

The largest and most important festival in Barbados however is Crop Over, which celebrates the end of the sugarcane harvest. This summer festival is celebrated over several weeks and includes fairs, fetes, parades and contests. Crop Over culminates on Kadooment Day. This day features an explosion of colours, food and masqueraders dancing rhythmically to the pulsating beats of Calypso along the streets towards Brandons Beach on the Spring Garden Highway. It is truly the sweetest Summer Festival.

Culinary Capital of the Caribbean
BARBADOS CULINARY
Bajan food is a unique blend of foods with African, Indian and British influences. Your Barbados travel experience will include some truly special meal-time moments to treasure forever. You’re on holiday so try everything – locally caught fish, home-grown grass-fed meats, sweet plantains, rice and peas, tasty West Indian curries and rotis. Explore our delicious Caribbean cuisine.

The national dish of Barbados is Cou-Cou & Flying Fish. although Fishcakes and Saltbread is a close second, affectionately called a ‘bread and two’. Other popular dishes include Pudding and Souse a Saturday staple, and Sunday Food which comprises Macaroni Pie, Rice and Green Peas, Baked Chicken and coleslaw.

Common staples on Barbadian tables include Yams, Sweet Potatoes, Cassava, Breadfruit and Rice. These are usually paired with a variety of fish including flying fish, Many other varieties of fish are found in the clear blue waters surrounding Barbados, including kingfish, swordfish, red snapper, yellow-fin tuna, albacore tuna, marlin, shark and dolphin.

After filling up on these delicious dishes, sweet desserts such as guava cheese are the highlight of the meal.

Food sold by street vendors is popular on the island, and key locations include Baxter’s Road near Bridgetown, and Oistins, with its Friday Night Fish Fry.

BARBADOS MUSIC
What is Barbados Music?
The music of Barbados is a synthesis of diverse styles and influences, most notably of British and African origins, that include folk, Western classical, religious and popular music. The culture of Barbados is a syncretic mix of African and British elements, and the island’s music reflects this mix through song types and styles, instrumentation, dances, and aesthetic principles.

At any time in Barbados you’re certain to hear a distinctive soundtrack of musical styles. From Barbadian folk melodies, Caribbean jazz and opera to the undulating rhythms of calypso, spouge and soca, music has always played an integral part in the history and culture of the island and continues to be an essential ingredient in the daily lives of every Barbadian.

Music History and Influence
Barbadian folk traditions include the Landship movement, which is a satirical, informal organization based on the British navy, tea meetings, tuk bands and numerous traditional songs and dances. Tuk bands consisting of a bow-fiddle or pennywhistle flute, kittle triangle and a snare and double-headed bass drum, modern tuk ensembles offer a distinctly Barbadian blend of African and British music.

Calypso was the first popular music in Barbados, and dates back to the 1930s. Barbadian calypso is a comedic song form, accompanied by guitar and banjo. More recent styles of calypso have also kept a local scene alive, and produced a number of famous calypsonians.

Spouge is a mixture of calypso and other styles, especially ska, and became very popular in the 1960s, around the same time as the Barbadian jazz scene grew in stature and became home to a number of famous performers.

Music Genres
Modern Barbadian popular music is largely based around reggae, ragga and soca, and includes some elements of indigenous styles. Artists like Terencia Coward have used modern popular music with instrumentation borrowed from folk tuk bands. Two of the more popular bands of Barbadian popular music are Krosfyah and Square One [now defunct]; the new wave of singers, largely soca, include Rupee, Lil’ Rick and Jabae with lead vocalist Bruce and Barry Chandler, all recent winners at Crop Over.

A more experimental artist such as poet and fiction writer Anthony Kellman writes thoughtful poetic lyrics delivered in a musical style deeply rooted in Barbadian indigenous folk music with strong elements of African and Latin influences. His albums Wings of a Stranger,Limestone, and Blood Mates have been described as groundbreaking due to his highly original style.

HISTORICAL ARCHITECTURE
Testament to Britain’s influence is the architecture of the many historic structures still standing today.
The traditional wood and stone structures, coral was also used in construction, lending a unique Barbadian flair. Jacobean, Georgian, and Victorian styles dominate the landscape, and these were mostly constructed by slaves. The iconic Chattel House was also constructed by slaves and is an integral of the island’s architectural legacy. The vivid colours of these chattel houses shows the West African influence.

As you travel around the island you will see many examples of the Chattel House, a distinct form of architecture that is unique to Barbados. The design of these small wooden houses dates back to Emancipation, when the former slaves were allowed to build a house on a piece of plantation land. Because they did not own the land, the house could not be built on a permanent foundation, in case it had to be moved. The solution to this challenge was to build a wooden house and rest it on a base of coral stone blocks, so that they could literally move house if so required. Hence the name chattel house, as a man’s movable possessions were called his chattels. Despite its humble origins, the chattel house evolved into a carefully planned structure, with several distinct design characteristics and a variety of intricate adornments.

European colonisation of the Caribbean left a rich architectural heritage. Of the English speaking Caribbean, Barbados is perhaps the most fortunate in its profusion of old buildings of all types. These are chiefly late Georgian or Victorian, but include a significant number of earlier structures, including, astonishingly, at least eight major seventeenth century houses and several from around 1700.

Over the 389 years since settlement in 1627, Barbados has developed a unique range of domestic styles – sufficiently interrelated that it might be described as having its own Barbadian architectural ordinance. Georgian designs have had the greatest influence, replacing earlier medieval house forms, most of which must have been demolished in the Great Hurricane of 1780 or earlier, by storms of lesser severity.

Continuous British presence ensured a continuity of the principles of balance, symmetry and harmonious design, which characterised the Georgian style. The conservative Barbadian personality no doubt contributed to more uniform styles. The other major influences were the materials, the climate and the “financial wherewithal”. Coral limestone covers most of Barbados and the extensive inland terraces of old sea-cliffs made quarrying easy and cheap. Hence the use of stone predominated, except for the post-emancipation smaller wooden “chattel” houses, which had to be movable.

The climate, notably high temperatures and heavy rains, required and produced ingenious solutions. With experience of the tropics came wide verandahs and jalousied windows.

Demerara windows (borrowed from Guyana), high, ventilated gables and “tray” ceilings all came into use. Hurricane risks dictated more squat, horizontal buildings and inspired coral stone parapet roofs, including a unique “Barbadian parapet” to protect gabled or hipped roofs from high winds. Indeed the combination of the need to build for strength and the supply of coral stone, and perhaps the traditional conservative nature of the Barbadian, are responsible for the profusion of fine old plantation ‘Great Houses’ and churches still to be seen in Barbados today.

The financial state of the country at various times also had a major influence on building patterns. Barbados attained wealth and importance quickly, with in twenty years of settlement. In 1638, Colonel James Drax and other planters pioneered sugar and by the mid-1640s it was a great commercial success. When Bridgetown was destroyed by fire in 1666 and by hurricane in 1675 there was wealth enough to rebuild in fine style.

Barbados the Birthplace of Rum
BARBADOS SUGAR & RUM
The history of rum strongly suggests that our little island Barbados is the birthplace of rum. When we discovered that a byproduct of our sugar industry – molasses – could be fermented into alcohol, distilled and served to powerful effect, it marked the start of the Rum era.
Rum distinguishes itself from other spirits by the plant from which it is made. It is distilled from the fermented juice of sugar cane, sugar cane syrup, sugar cane molasses or sugar cane byproducts.

While it’s documented that the island’s first commercial sugar cane crop was planted in 1640, settlers had been harvesting small crops to create a popular beverage called ‘Kill-Devil’ an early ancestor of modern-day rum. Crude distillation methods resulted in a poor-quality spirit; it was not until over a century later that Barbados would produce rum on a commercial level.

Where did rum originate?
The history of rum strongly suggests it was on our little island, when we discovered that a byproduct of our sugar industry – molasses – could be fermented into alcohol, distilled and served to powerful effect. From the Barbados plantation rum of the 1700s to the Barbados rum punch of today, our paradise island is now famous for producing the best rum in the Caribbean.

What does history tell us?
In the nineteenth (19th) century Barbados had just over ten Sugar Factories and sugarcane was harvested by using thousands of African slaves. Harvested crops where brought to the plantations’ grinding windmills. Windmills were abundant back then and utiised wind power to extract the valuable sugar cane juices. Many windmills are still dotted around the island today with the most famous being the Morgan Lewis Windmill. Sugar was then dispatched to Britain to be refined together with molasses and rum. The sugar industry in Barbados has evolved over the years as it has since become fully mechanical with the latest in technology.

Lastly, why is Barbadian Sugar so good?
Barbados’ island temperate, beautiful sunshine and cooling rains have been pivotal in creating the perfect conditions for growing sugar cane since the 1600s. The soil of Barbados also has a special ingredient: high alkaline levels which bring a distinctive combination of minerals and nutrients that help to define the aromatic taste of our sugar.

Barabdos Rum Tours
Make sure to put a Barbados rum tour on your list of travel experiences and discover the fine art of Barbados rum making. A visit to one of our well-run rum distilleries will leave you wiser about the best rum in the world… and perhaps also a little intoxicated. You can choose to visit any of our fascinating distilleries including the Mount Gay Rum Distillery, St Nicholas Abbey Distillery, Foursquare Rum Factory & Heritage Park, and the West Indies Rum Distillery. And remember to share the experience by taking home a sample of our popular high-quality Barbados rum brands including Mount Gay Rum Extra Old, St Nicholas Abbey Rum, Foursquare Spiced Rum, Doorly’s, Rum Sixty Six, Cockspur and Malibu.

Stop at a Rum Shop. Experience Rum like a Local!
There’s a rum shop on every corner of our 166 square miles. No one’s counted but there must be close to 1,500 rum shops scattered across our towns, villages, hills and fields, many with a church immediately next door. On the shelves behind the bar, you’re likely to see a full range of high quality rums, so why not taste a few? Ask for your Barbados rum to be served neat or on the rocks (over ice). If you prefer a little sweetness, mix it with a coke or order our world-famous Bajan rum punch – every establishment serves a rum punch and soon you’ll notice the subtle variation in flavours, as each mix seems to have its own particular character.

Need some food to accompany the alcohol? You may find your rum shop serves simple meals, such as flying fish cutters or a ham or cheese cutter (a sandwich in a Bajan saltbread). Don’t hesitate to ask for what you need; we love to welcome visitors into our unique world.

National Heroes of Barbados
NATIONAL HEROES
There are ten (10) official National Heroes of Barbados. These outstanding Barbadians are recognized as Heroes of the nation for their roles in positively changing Barbados life as we know it. On April 28th of each year Barbadians honour these individuals on the national holiday; National Heroes Day.

Bussa – an African slave led Barbados’ largest slave revolt against the oppressive white planters in April 1816. Bussa was killed during the revolt.

The Right Excellent Errol Walton Barrow, P.C., Q.C. – the father of Independence, he was the first Prime Minister and he oversaw Barbados’ development as an independent nation.

The Right Excellent Sir Grantley Herbert Adams Q.C., Kt., Bachelor, C.M.G – West Indian statesman. He was highly respected lawyer, he was a master of debate on the floor of the House of Assembly where he fought for a better life for the poor in Barbados

The Right Excellent Mrs. Sarah Ann Gill – the heroine of Methodism and freedom of religion

The Right Excellent Samuel Jackman Prescod – the defender of human rights, he was elected on June 6th 1843 as the first non-White to sit in the House of Assembly.

The Right Excellent Charles Duncan O’Neal – was the first black activist in this century to agitate for free education and free dental care for children, improved housing and abolition of the infamous Located Labourers’ System and the Masters and Servants Act. He was also responsible for the abolition of various oppressive government Acts.

The Right Excellent Clement Osbourne Payne – his outspoken critic of politics and the planter class brought about the introduction of trade union legislation

The Right Excellent Sir Hugh Worrell Springer – appointed the third native Governor-General of the island. He also possessed an unrivaled list of political offices and achievements.

The Right Excellent Sir Frank Leslie Walcott – international figure in trade unionism and also served as President of the Caribbean Congress of Labour for three terms

The Right Excellent Sir Garfield Sobers – he came from humble beginnings in the back streets of St. Michael to becoming the captain of the West Indies team and is still regarded as the world’s greatest all-rounder. He was the first cricketer to score 6 sixes in a 6 ball cricket over.

The number one sport of Barbados; Cricket!
BARBADOS SPORTS
With its year-round temperate climate and abundant tropical vistas, Barbados plays the consummate host to many sports enthusiasts.
With its year-round temperate climate and abundant tropical vistas, Barbados plays the consummate host to many sports enthusiasts.

Well known throughout the Caribbean for sports tourism, Barbadians are avid sportsmen and women, who demonstrate a passion for a wide variety of activities, including horseracing, polo, water sports, road tennis, golf, track and field, and most especially cricket.

This proud history and love of sport has led to the creation of a number of world-class facilities throughout the island, and has encouraged many overseas competitors from Europe, America and other Caribbean nations to come to Barbados for international tournaments or to test their skills with a good match against our local teams.

The number one sport of Barbados, organized cricket in Barbados began in 1892
Barbados’ cricketing history is a glorious one. Many Barbadians have contributed greatly to international and local cricket and the sport is played all year round on the Island. The island boasts many cricket grounds but the most famous would be Kensington Oval which is located in Bridgetown. The first cricket organisation established in Barbados was the Barbados Cricket Challenge Cup Committee in 1892 which later brought about the Barbados Cricket Association in 1933.

To say that cricket in Barbados is a passion would be an understatement. Bajans eat, drink and sleep cricket. And if we’re not playing it, chances are good that we are watching it or talking about it with a keen insight and fervor that would rival even the finest commentators of the game.

A nod to our British heritage, cricket is our national sport. At any time in season, you’re likely to find an elite international test match being played out at Kensington Oval. Or any time of the year, an exciting local club match or a friendly competition played on open fields or along our beaches can be found.

Aside from just a love of the sport, many Barbadian players have become internationally known for their talents on the pitch. With a large contingent of players from Barbados being an integral part of the West Indies team over the years.

Regarded as the greatest all-rounder to ever play the game, Sir Garfield Sobers dominated the sport during his first-class career, even becoming the first batsman to ever score six sixes in a single over — an accomplishment that only one other batsman has since matched. In 1975 Queen Elizabeth II knighted Garfield Sobers in recognition of his services to cricket. And for his great accomplishments to his country, Sir Garry has been named as one of only 10 Barbados National Heroes.

The Cricket Museum
Take a stroll down memory lane and marvel at the cricket wonders and treasures in the Cricket Legends of Barbados Museum at Herbert House, Fontabelle. This museum is the first heritage centre solely dedicated to cricket in Barbados. Packed with memorabilia dating back to the early 1900s, the Museum fills the senses with nostalgia for those glory days when the West Indies stood on top of the cricketing world. The Museum provides a wonderful and enriched world for both children and adults.

As you walk through, you will get a sense of the sheer brilliance of some of Barbados’ masters of the game of cricket. You will see the ball bowled by Wes Hall in the first-ever hat-trick by a West Indian, a bat autographed by the first West Indies team to tour England after the Region gained test status in 1928 and a blazer worn by England player, Trevor Bailey, in the West indies tour of 1953/1954. Whether you are a cricket enthusiast or just interested in Barbadian heritage, you will be bowled over by the wealth of information superbly laid out in the intimate setting of the Cricket Museum.

Historical Sites and Landmarks
BARBADOS HISTORICAL SITES
To better understand all that Barbados has to offer, you must first explore the handful of historic sites and properties that best reflect the rich cultural heritage of our beautiful island country.

Arlington House
Housed in a restored eighteenth century building in Speightstown, St. Peter, Arlington House is an interactive three-story museum that is both educational and engaging.

Barbados Museum
Located in the UNESCO World Heritage site, Historic Bridgetown and its Garrison, the Barbados Museum and Historical Society is housed in a former 19th century military prison. The building, whose upper section was built in 1818 and lower section in 1853, became the headquarters of the Barbados Museum and Historical Society in 1933.

Blackmans Gully
Blackmans Gully is located in the parish of St. Joseph on the east coast of Barbados. It is home to the famous Blackman’s Bridge which dates back to 1682. Hop aboard an island tour to discover!

Bridgetown (Capital City)
Established in 1628, Bridgetown is the capital and commercial centre of Barbados and has a population of nearly 100,000. Bridgetown was originally named “Indian Bridge” for the crude bridge which had been constructed over the river (now known as the Careenage) by the Indians. Bridgetown continually plays host to various concerts, cultural festivals and historical lectures, a re-commitment to the renewal and continued development of the capital city. On June 25, 2011 Barbados joined an elite group of nations with world heritage properties when Historic Bridgetown and its Garrison was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Bridgetown Jewish Synagogue
Built in the 17th century (1654) it was destroyed by hurricane in 1831, was rebuilt, fell into disrepair and was sold in 1929. In 1983, however, it was bought back by the Jewish community and was restored to its presently beautiful state.

Cherry Tree Hill
Approximately 850 feet above sea level, this area offers an excellent view of the “Scotland District.” The area is named after a Patron Saint of Scotland and completely covers the parish of St. Andrew. It is believed that the name “Cherry Tree Hill” originated from the large number of cherry trees, which once existed there. Today the road is lined by mature mahogany trees, which were introduced to Barbados after the Treaty of Paris in 1763.

Codrington College
The oldest Seminary in the Western Hemisphere, Codrington College was founded in 1702 under the Will of Christopher Codrington and opened in 1745 as a Theological College. Originally a plantation house, the College was later bequeathed to a religious society that transformed the house and grounds into a seminary. This was the first institution of higher learning for Barbados. The College has fallen into ruin, but lines of poetry inscribed near the swimming pool still survive.

Drax Hall
Though no one knows for sure, it is generally believed that Drax Hall was built by the brothers William and James Drax in the 1650’s. Today it stands along with Nicholas Abbey in St. Peter as one of 3 remaining Jacobean mansions in the entire western world.

Fisherpond House
Situated in the Barbadian countryside is this 350 year old plantation home which has been lovingly restored and filled with antiques. Ask about the tastey Sunday lunch.

Francia Plantation
A regal plantation house situated on a wooded hillside overlooking the picturesque St. George valley, Francia is a recent plantation house having been built in the early part of the 20th century.

Fustic House Estate
One of the true treasures of the Caribbean, Fustic house represents the perfect marriage between the luxury of antiquity and the modern need for room to play. Spread across 11 acres with sprawling grounds, duck ponds, plunge pools and a veritable forest through which to traverse, it is truly magnificent. Fustic House is available as a villa rental.

Garrison Drill Hall
As the name suggests it is the place where many a soldier has been trained. Even now visitors can go and view the old obstacle courses along with a collection of old military vehicles.

George Washington House
George Washington, later to become the 1st President of the United States of America, visited Barbados in 1751 and spent about two months. It is in fact the only place George Washington ever visited outside of the USA.

Glendairy Prison
Though no longer used by the state, the structure and facility itself still represents a unique example of colonial architecture and more over governance. In its time it housed many of Barbados’ most notorious criminals until its eventual demise during a controversial insurrection and subsequent burning.

Grenade Hall Forest & Signal Station
Both history and nature lovers will appreciate a visit to Grenade Hall, an attraction which combines a restored historic signal station and a natural forest. In fact it’s really a three-in-one attraction since one entry fee gains admission to both Grenade Hall and the Barbados Wildlife Reserve.

Gun Hill Signal Station
This 1818 signal station was used by the British Army. Families can visit the great white lion, a symbol of British rule on the island. The artist was also a soldier and is said to have carved the statute from a single block of stone, using a lion drawn on a book of matches as his guide.

Harrison’s Cave
One of the most famous natural history sites in the Caribbean, the 3 mile long cave is home to some of the most beautiful rock formations in the western hemisphere and is also a true glimpse into the very formation of Barbados.

Hastings Rocks
Used to hold community events in bygone eras as well as a general “sit and kick back” spot by everyone it maintains this status today. Additionally with the recent addition of the southern boardwalk it’s now more than ever the perfect pit stop.

Holetown
The first settlement in Barbados, Holetown, was originally named Jamestown, after its benefactor, King James I of England. The Holetown Monument (found in the centre of Holetown) commemorates the first English landing in Barbados in 1625.

Illaro Court
The official residence of the Prime Minister of Barbados, the residence like many other refurbished plantation style homes boasts a wealth of antiques and records alike. Of course there is the added attraction that as the home of a Head of State it possesses even more.

Lancaster Great House
Dating back to the 1700s this remarkable plantation has played host to govenermental meetings social gatherings and all manner of events on the social calendar. With its sprawling grounds and beautiful gardens it is at present the home of the Centre for Arts of Barbados.

Main Guard House ( Garrison Savannah)
One of the Barbados Tourism Encyclopedia’s “Seven Wonders Of Barbados,” the guard house is home to one of the rarest english canon collections in the world.

Morgan Lewis Sugar Mill
This 250-year-old cane-crushing mill is the largest remaining windmill in Barbados. Recently renovated, the mill commands a splendid panorama of the Atlantic Ocean and the lovely Scotland District.

National Army: St. Anns Fort
A veritable ‘cohoblopot’ of rare English military memorabilia including extremely unique canons, maps, bottles and even blue prints it is a must see for any historian and even those just casually interested in the military forces of centuries of old.

Oistins Bay Gardens
The site of the clash between Royalists and Roundhead supporters in 1639 as they battled for independence from Cromwell’s England, Oisitins is today home to the fishing community of Barbados. A seaside city if ever there was one, visitors can find all manner of seafood to partake in.

Ordnance Hospital
Though not open to public use anymore Letchworth House was one of four buildings that made up the medical branch of the armed forces residing in Barbados during the early 1800s.

Ordnance Hospital Geneva
Though not open to public use anymore Geneva was one of four buildings that made up the medical branch of the armed forces residing in Barbados during the early 1800s.

Ordnance Hospital Lexham
Though not open to public use anymore Lexham was one of four buildings that made up the medical branch of the armed forces residing in Barbados during the early 1800s.

Ordnance Hospital Rafeen
Though not open to public use anymore Rafeen was one of four buildings that made up the medical branch of the armed forces residing in Barbados during the early 1800s.

Parliament Buildings
The Parliament Buildings of Barbados are located at the top of Broad Street. The Barbados Parliament was established in 1639 and is the third oldest Parliament in the entire Commonwealth.

Sam Lord’s Castle – Currently Closed for Renovations
The Estate was once a world renowned resort. It is, however, the history of the place that is far more colourful as it was home to the notorious pirate, Sam Lord. Legend states that he accumulated his bounty by luring ships into the bay with the use of lights hung in coconut trees.

Sir Frank Hutson Sugar Museum
This museum is a permanent record of how sugar was produced in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. The museum now stands a tribute to Sir Frank Hutson, who with assistance from the Barbados National Trust, collected the items in the museum.

South Point Lighthouse
This landmark, with its red and white horizontal bands, is easily spotted from many points along the south coast of the island. South Point lighthouse was assembled in Barbados in 1852 but was refurbished and painted in 2004/2005. It was the first lighthouse erected.

Speightstown
Speightstown was the first major port and commercial centre of Barbados. Falling into disrepair and neglected over the years it has now been revived and is to arguably the most prestigious resorts and homes on the island.

St. James Parish Church
St. James Parish Church is among the four oldest surviving churches in Barbados and is located near the site of the island’s first settlement in Holetown. In the southern porch of the church is a bell with the inscription – “God bless King William, 1696”. This bell pre-dates the famous American Liberty bell by 54 years.

St. John’s Parish Church
Situated on a cliff overlooking picturesque east coast, the church was built in 1836 to replace the church destroyed by the Hurricane of 1831. In the Church Yard, rests Ferdinando Paleologus, descendant of Emperor Constantine the Great, whose family was driven from the throne in Constantinople by the Turks. Ferdinando died here in 1678, after being a resident for over 20 years.

St. Nicholas Abbey
St. Nicholas Abbey, located in the parish of St.Peter, was built in 1660 and is one of only three genuine Jacobean mansions in the Western Hemisphere.

Sunbury Plantation House & Museum
This gracious home, dating back to the 1660s, is crafted of flint and other stones imported from England. Renovated twice and burnt down once, it is the only Great House on the island with all rooms open for viewing.

The Baobab Tree (Warrens)
One of only 2 on the island, the tree in Jackson is the oldest known living tree in Barbados. It bears a mahogany-like fruit in the late summer months that tastes much like tamarind only sweeter. Massive in size and majestic in appearance it represents for many the longevity of character that exists in Barbados.

The Old Raild Road
When trekking along the east coast be sure to look out for the iron stakes along the way. They mark the remnants of an old coastal railroad system that ran the length of the eastern coast. You can also learn more about it at the old station in Bathsheba.

The Stone Barracks
Built in 1791 the barracks are still used today as the sleeping quarters of soldiers. It has for many years been considered by Barbadians to be the visual icon of its military force, the Barbados Defense Force (BDF).

Tyrol Cot
Tyrol Cot was the home of Sir Grantley Adams, the first premier of Barbados and the only Prime Minister of the Federation of the West Indies. The home is also the birthplace of his son, Tom, the second Prime Minister of Barbados.

Welchman Hall Gully
Located just a stone’s throw away from Harrison’s Cave this gulley is home to a diverse range of flora, fauna and of course birds and bees. It is most definitely a sure bet for all nature lovers.

Wildey House (Barbados National Trust Headquarters)
The headquarters of the Barbados National Trust is now Wildey House, a beautiful old Georgian Great House set in five acres of grounds and woods which underwent extensive renovation between 1995 and 1997.

The chattel house acts as a unique Barbadian icon
THE TRADITIONAL BAJAN CHATTEL HOUSE
Over time, the chattel houses of Barbados have retained their heritage appeal, adding significantly to the charm and beauty of the landscape. Along with the local village shops, they convey a remarkable historical and cultural story related to the post-emancipation plantation economy.

Chattel houses were located on plantations lands as removable structures, since workers often had to relocate their families, if circumstances required. Over time, they evolved both in style and detail, „borrowing‟ some elements, e.g. entrance porches and fretwork, from the stately plantation houses. These ornate features added character and interest to the buildings (Walker, 2011). Built with pride, each of these wooden structures had its own unique character.

Given its appeal across the Barbadian cultural landscape, the chattel house acts as a unique Barbadian icon that can offer a unique experience to visitors. As this once pervasive emblem slowly disappears from the landscape, opportunities have arisen to maintain the legacy of this icon. Chattel house villages have been immortalized in select locations such as St Lawrence Gap, Chattel House Village in Holetown and Tyrol Cot in St. Michael.

Chattel houses are now being utilized both as places of business and as tourist attractions, becoming a signature element of the local tourism brand. “It is one aspect of the visual heritage of Barbados…all these adaptive reuses of chattel houses mean that somebody can, with a modest outlay, acquire a business place. This is the renaissance of the chattel house, its architecture being a whole rich story of a people” (H. Fraser: In Evanson, 2012).

Today, chattel houses are slowly diminishing in number since tastes and building styles have changed, but their use is now being adapted to commercial enterprises. The historical connection to South Carolina as some of the plantocracy relocated northwards is an opportunity to be further explored in the context of developing heritage tourism.

Cherish Your Big Day. Unforgettable Weddings In Barbados.

WEDDINGS & ROMANCE
Get ready to be swept away by the travel experience of a lifetime. What could be more romantic than a wedding in Barbados?
It’s your big day, so choose every detail of getting married in Barbados – your romantic getaway can include a beachside ceremony at sunset with spectacular views as the backdrop to your special moments, or a tropical garden wedding in a sea of colourful blossoms. Invite all of your family and friends, or maybe make your union a small and intimate event. Everything you need for a perfect wedding is here on our cherished Caribbean island.

This is the perfect place to say “I do” and our island offers some of the best honeymoon places in the world. Discover how to get married in Barbados by exploring our Wedding & Romance guides. We hope this information will help you to plan and prepare your dream wedding.

Let a Caribbean wedding planner handle every detail of your big day in Barbados.

WEDDING PLANNERS
The wedding planning companies that work in Barbados are ready and waiting to make your dream Caribbean wedding a life-changing reality.

If getting married against the sumptuous backdrop of the Caribbean is your idea of perfection, then look no further. The best destination wedding planners in the business work on the island of Barbados, taking advantage of an atmosphere and backdrop, you won’t find anywhere else.

Whether your dream wedding involves a traditional church service, a ceremony on a perfect beach or tying the knot against the backdrop of a lush and unspoiled tropical forest, the top destination wedding planners of Barbados will make it happen for you. These experts will put their experience and skills to work on your behalf before, during and after the ceremony itself, leaving you free to concentrate on celebrating with friends and family and taking advantage of everything that the island has to offer. As befits the laid-back vibe of the island, even the formalities are simple. You don’t have to be a resident to get married here, and your luxury wedding planners will guide you through the process of filling in the necessary paperwork and applying for the marriage license which you’ll need before getting married.

When you book wedding planning services in Barbados you book the whole package, from start to finish. That means helping with arranging the best photography, choosing the best date for your wedding, designing and printing bespoke invitations, obtaining the necessary licenses, choosing wedding flowers from the glorious selection provided by nature on the island, arranging transport for the day itself, finding the venue that’s perfect for your requirements and even helping to book your accommodation. We look upon this as a once in a lifetime celebration, and we want to make sure it involves whatever it takes to make your wedding dreams come true.

For the wedding location from paradise, beautiful wedding venues of Barbados has it all.

WEDDING VENUES
Experience unique, intimate wedding venues that are as special as the love they celebrate. Barbados wedding locations allow you to get married against a backdrop which is little short of heaven sent.

The stunning Caribbean island of Barbados is the perfect place for a destination wedding nobody is ever going to forget. Once you’ve chosen the island itself as a special location, then you have to make sure you book a venue which will be perfect for your marriage ceremony and reception. There are heart-stopping wedding venues all over the island of Barbados, from white sand beaches to tropical gardens, from beach front villas to historical sites, from rugged sea cliffs and even caves with underground waterfalls. You can even make it happen on board a catamaran skimming over the crystal clear Caribbean water. Tell your wedding planner, what your dream is, and they can make it come true, whether that’s getting married in an ancient sugar mill, a grand plantation house or even under the surface of the waves. Yes, come to Barbados and book the Atlantis Submarine for an aquatic wedding like nothing any of your guests will ever have experienced.

In simple terms a Caribbean wedding is one at which you can control every single feature – you can get married wherever you like and celebrate however you choose. That’s why so many couples opt for Barbados as a place to get married, and why there are so many experienced and dedicated wedding planners on the island ready and waiting to handle every single detail. It doesn’t matter whether you opt for something formal in a grand venue or a romantic exchange of vows on a stunning white sand beach, your Barbados wedding will be a day you’ll never forget. From the big picture to the tiny details, Barbados has what it takes to make your wedding day truly special.

WEDDING SUPPLIES
Make your wedding a day to remember by giving it that personal Caribbean touch. From beach wedding supplies to Barbados table decorations and personalized décor, you can design and craft a day that you’ll always remember.

You can book your dream wedding in Barbados and enjoy a special Caribbean day without having to put in the work to make it happen. Your wedding supplier will help to arrange everything, from the spectacular gesture down to the smallest detail. Our choice of wedding supplies is wider than any other in the Caribbean, and offers everything needed to make a wedding special, from an intimate family affair to an upmarket celebrity celebration.

You name an item needed to make your Caribbean wedding dreams a reality and it’s here ready and waiting for you. From tents, linens, decor items, tables and chairs to lighting, no detail is too big or too small. The professionalism of the people providing the service will ensure that all of the stress and anxiety is taken out of the process, and the venue, catering, décor and entertainment will be at top notch. In simple terms, they make the magic happen on your behalf. Formal or informal, large or small, grand or humble, the wedding decoration supplies on offer in Barbados will tick every single box.

Bajan weddings partner the leading rental supplier in Barbados and the Caribbean to ensure that every detail is of the highest quality. They listen to your ideas and dreams and combine them with know-how and experience to create an unforgettable occasion. With their input and your inspiration, you’ll be able to create a unique event that truly celebrates your most important day. Contact wedding planners today and make your dream Caribbean wedding a wonderful reality.

Arts & heritage
Flanders has a deep and rich cultural heritage that goes back hundreds of years. The region has a multitude of world-class museums, galleries and art centres and a wealth of art events throughout the year. With artists including Jan van Eyck and James Ensor, as well as sculptors and photographers, art lovers will find plenty to immerse themselves in on a trip to Flanders.

Belgian design
An appetite for design? Discover the flourishing design scene in Flanders. Admire the creations of internationally renowned people such as Victor Horta and Henry Van de Velde. Visit interesting museums, fairs, exhibitions and shops in Antwerp, Ghent, Brussels and Kortrijk. You immediately notice that Flanders has a long and rich history in creativity.

Major international artists paved the way for a very wide palette of contemporary designers specialized in the most diverse disciplines including jewelry, ceramics, furniture and textile design. We have plenty of talent that creates exceptional work at an international level.

Belgian fashion
When it comes to fashion, Belgium has a rich history, but also a very lively contemporary fashion scene.

In terms of fashion, Antwerp has a unique story to tell. In fact it all began in 1663, when the Royal Academy of Fine Arts Antwerp was founded. The Academy soon developed into an internationally acclaimed institute for Fine Arts, Architecture and Design, visited by artists and designers such as Henry Van de Velde and Vincent van Gogh.

In 1963 the prestigious Fashion Department of the Academy opened its doors. The Fashion Department became world leading in the early eighties and “The Antwerp Six” were a hot issue in the media.

In the 21st century Antwerp still has a unique fashion story to tell. The city prides itself on workshops and stores of fashion talent. Add to this the trendy flagship stores and exclusive store concepts, and you pretty much get a complete picture of fashion in Antwerp. Thanks to all these different facets, Antwerp is considered an outstanding fashion and shopping city, with good reason. Explore and discover fashioninantwerp.

But there is more!
While the Antwerp style is often described as avant-garde and dark, Brussels style is well known for its romantic and playful fashion. Each year new talent graduates from the Brussels “La Cambre” fashion school. Ghent is a rising star on the fashion front. In Ghent you will spent a cozy time for shopping. It is specialized in vintage.

Comics
Belgian comics are a distinct subgroup in the comics history, and played a major role in the development of European comics, alongside France with whom they share a long common history.

While the comics in the two major language groups and regions of Belgium each have clearly distinct characteristics, they are constantly influencing one another, and meeting each other in Brussels and in the bilingual publication tradition of the major editors.

As one of the few arts where Belgium has had an international and enduring impact in the twentieth century, comics are known to be “an integral part of Belgian culture”.

Cycling in Flanders
Flanders is a paradise for cyclists. Are you ready to get on your bike and explore its beautiful sceneries, picturesque villages and artistic cities? You will find all the information you need in our leisure pages, from interesting routes and bike rental, to bicycle-friendly accommodations.

If you are a cycling-race enthusiast, a trip to Flanders is nothing less than a pilgrimage to the most hallowed grounds in the sport. Read on and find out more about cycling events, musea, routes to explore, inspiring stories, and more.

Flanders wants to be an enjoyable cycling destination for everyone: tourists of all ages, with or without disabilities or care needs, etc. Therefore, we are happy to help you if you have additional needs or questions when planning a trip to Flanders.

Flanders Fields
From 1914 to 1918, Flanders Fields was a major battle theatre on the Western Front during the First World War. A million soldiers from more than 50 different countries were wounded, missing or killed in action here. Entire cities and villages were destroyed, their population scattered across Europe and beyond. The destruction of the city of Ypres and the brutal conditions endured during the Battle of Passchendaele (Third Battle of Ypres) became worldwide symbols for the senselessness of war. Today, the peaceful region still bears witness to this history through its monuments, museums, cemeteries and the countless individual stories that link it with the world.

In Flanders Fields
Remembrance of the First World War will always live on in Flanders. In places such as the Menin Gate, where the Last Post sounds every evening, Tyne Cot Memorial and Cemetery (the largest Commonwealth military cemetery in the world) and the many, many memorials dedicated to the fallen and the missing. Also, the poem, ‘In Flanders Fields’, by John McCrae, went on to inspire the use of the poppy, which once grew on the battlefields of Flanders Fields, to become an enduring symbol of remembrance across the world.

Learn the stories, experience the places and discover the history of Flanders Fields.

Flanders is a festival
Flanders is the ultimate place to experience a festival atmosphere during summer. Whether you’re looking to rock out with your favourite band, chill out to some relaxing jazz or party all night with top international dance DJ’s, with more than 280 festivals and 10,000² miles of festival ground across Flanders you’re certain to find something that suits you.

Set against a backdrop of lively cities like Brussels and Antwerp or located among the medieval marvels of Bruges and Ghent, you’ll have an experience you’ll never forget. For festival fun that will make your summer, look no further.

From Flanders with food
Love of food and flavour is in a Fleming’s blood, and good taste is rooted in our DNA. We are living the good life. We have fries, beer and chocolate, but there is so much more to discover. Small-scale microbreweries are emerging, young chefs are innovating in the kitchen with zero waste, experimenting with local ingredients. Chocolatiers are redefining the classic praline, and street food is taking over our streets. Expertise and know-how are passed down from parent to child. A creative young generation is breathing new life into our traditions. That’s what keeps our culinary heritage alive.

Discover Flemish cuisine
With its 94 Michelin-starred restaurants, Flanders has one of the world’s highest densities of top-class eateries. So, anyone who want to eat at the highest level in Flanders will have no difficulty. However, Flanders has a great offer for everyone’s budget. Take a look in the Bistronomie guide for a collection of the best no-nonsense restaurants in Belgium. Or find all restaurants by city on Resto.be.

We offer you Flemish craftsmanship, a delight at any table.
That’s why real Foodies come to Flanders!

Handmade in Flanders
Flanders has a rich history in arts and crafts. Throughout the century it has never lost its authentic way of working. Nowadays, we can still experience the traditions from the past…with a contemporary touch.

The trade of tapestry making began in Flanders in the 13th century. Thanks to their high quality and extended use of colour, Flemish tapestries soon rose in popularity throughout Europe. Up until now, they are an integral part of our cultural heritage.

Sophisticated craftsmanship and elegant fashion meet each other in the world of lace. With many contemporary designers still making gorgeous creations today, it is definitely a story worth discovering.

Looking for something more luxurious? Immerse yourself in the brilliant world of diamonds in Flanders.

Red Star Line
The Red Star Line was a legendary shipping company, which carried 2.6 million passengers – mostly from Central and Eastern Europe – from Antwerp to New York and Philadelphia. The company was founded in Philadelphia in 1871, as a joint venture between Americans and Belgians.
In September 2013, the Red Star Line Museum opened in the historic warehouses of the Red Star Line shipping company in Antwerp. Visitors to the museum can embark on a moving journey, retracing the footsteps of emigrants such as Irving Berlin, Albert Einstein and Golda Meir.

Flanders Fields
Flanders commemorates the Great War
In 1914, the German army marched through Belgium en route to France, the start of a war that would affect many nations. The majority of the country was occupied. Only the ‘Westhoek’ part of Flanders remained free from occupation, and was part of the Western Front. For 4 years, the region was the site of a hopeless trench war, with countless victims. ‘A lost generation’.

Now, a century later, the Great War is being commemorated throughout the world. In Flanders, numerous museums, exhibitions and events offer you the opportunity to engage with the history of the war, understand how nations got involved and refl ect on the impact of the First World War for us today, and the message of peace and remembrance for the future.

The Flemish Coast
Discover the beautiful and scenic Flemish coast
The coast’s 42 miles long stretch of sandy coastline has 13 resorts, each with its own character and unique atmosphere. The sandy beaches are ideal for children. The beaches shelve gently out to sea, and life guards ensure everyone’s safety. Sunbathers have found that they acquire a healthier tan here than in southern Europe, thanks to the iodine and salt in the air.

The Flemish coast offers a wide range of sport and recreation facilities : here you can hire a bicycle or a buggy, or go sailing or fishing. The wide beach is ideal for ball games, horse riding and beach surfing. And there is more: take a stroll along the beach promenades, great shopping in fancy stores that are also open on Sunday and great food and local specialties are offered in a wide variety of restaurants.

The resorts are well connected by public transport: de “Kusttram” drives all the way from Knokke to De Panne. A cheap, easy and pleasant way to explore the Flemish coast. Close by, there is Bruges, one of Belgium’s finest cities of art. A visit to this historic city is a must.

The summer months are the busiest period for the coast. However, other seasons have their own charm, even if sunbathing is not part of it.

Antwerp
Antwerp, Stylish to a Fault
Whether you’re in the central train station or MAS, the remarkable town museum, it’s impossible not to find the architecture attractive. It ranges from medieval buildings like the impressive town hall and square, to the contemporary courthouse, to numerous Art Nouveau gems in between. From stylish buildings to well dressed window displays, Antwerp is a good-looking city.

This isn’t a new accolade either as it was one of the greatest, richest cities in all of Europe in the 1500’s. A century later, the iconic Flemish Baroque painter Peter Paul Rubens called Antwerp his home, along with Anthony Van Dyck. In more recent years, canvas has been replaced by cotton and the artists of note are fashion designers. This city is home to world-renowned shopping, the famous Antwerp Six and a bustling diamond trade.

Bruges
Bruges, Picture Perfect
When one imagines Belgium, they often are thinking of Bruges. Canals loop across the town like a string of pearls, creating the well-earned moniker of ‘the Venice of the North’. With cobblestone paths, brick archways, stone churches and quaint bridges, it’s nearly impossible to take a bad photograph. The addition of swans on the water, horse drawn carriages in the lanes and daffodils in the park make it nearly magical.

Listed on UNESCO World Heritage Sites, Bruges has the best-preserved example of a medieval city centre, with its bell tower leaving over the wide open market. With the centre closed off to cars, all the stunning beauty and culture of this unforgettable city can be easily explored on foot, although a boat ride along the quiet canals is something not to be missed.

While a small city, to truly uncover the many pleasures around each corner, from lace boutiques and chocolates shops to architectural and historical treasures, give yourself plenty of time to get happily lost.

Ghent
Ghent, Europe’s Best Kept Secret
The undiscovered Flemish jewel of a city boasts an opera house, a handful of museums, even more ancient churches, and countless bridges spanning the two rivers that wind themselves through the city. The true joy of the town is to be found whiling away an afternoon in an outdoor café. Whether your wrapped under blankets sipping a coffee in the winter or sunning yourself in the springtime with a cold Belgium brew, you will fit in with the locals if you simply enjoy the great atmosphere this town offers. If possible, find a seat on the Graslei, a scenic canal spot in the centre of town, with a great view on the many bridges, grand houses and medieval buildings.

Alternatively, hop on a bike and explore the nearby Patershol district with a small labyrinth of charming cobblestone streets, the towering Gravensteen Castle and Unesco recognised bell tower. The laid back atmosphere of this liveable, lovable city means enjoying the vibrant nightlight of a university town then quaffing cava at the flower market the following Sunday morning.

Leuven
Leuven, Mecca of Books and Beer
A vibrant student population and a rich history combine in the city of Leuven, home to one of Europe’s oldest universities (KU Leuven), founded in 1425. The university, one of the most important in Europe, has its roots in the centre of Leuven, and its historic college buildings dominate many of the squares and streets. A few lucky students even have the distinct privilege of living in the 13th century stone beguinage, a UNESCO world heritage site worthy of a visit. 28,000 students and professors lend a distinctly youthful atmosphere to the city. Or perhaps it’s the beer!

Leuven is Belgium’s reigning brewing capital – no small feat in a country that produces hundreds of delicious varieties. Leuven is the headquarters of Inbev, the second largest brewery in the world, famous for Stella Artois beers. Centuries of Flemish tradition and craftsmanship lie behind Leuven’s premium brews. Leuven is a great place for the curious traveller with time to explore. It is an intimate city; any spot can be easily reached on foot or by bicycle.

Mechelen
Mechelen, Beers, Bells and Tapestries
Mechelen is a small and picturesque city that is big on charm and history, thriving with quaint shops, car-free areas and pleasant little squares. The grace of centuries-old palaces and majestic churches appeals to everyone. There are no less than 336 listed buildings and monuments, including eight gothic and baroque churches from the 14th-17th century. The Begijnhofkerk is especially unique, with its feminine art schemes and pastel colours.

Mechelen is a city for all ages. Young people can actively enjoy themselves in the Toy Museum or the Tivoli Children’s Farm, whereas the young at heart can entertain themselves at the Anker, one of the oldest operating breweries in Belgium. Students from all over the world come to learn to play church bells at Mechelen’s carillon school. Sitting outside on the terrace of a cafe sipping a local beer while listening to the bell music coming from the sky is nothing short of delightful. It is also home to one of the last remaining places in the world that restores and repairs antique tapestries, at Royal Manufacturers De Wit.

Despite being the second highest elevation (approx. 3,670 ft/ 1,120 m)in Belize whose summit is many mountain climbers’ holy grail, the rumor goes less than 200 people have actually reached the top of this herculean mountain. That doesn’t stop adventurous travelers and intrepid Belizean hikers from trying, though, and many do in fact get to witness the vast rainforest canopy from atop the jutting rock. Every year, (pandemic notwithstanding) adrenaline-chasing hikers await impatiently for the dry season to open so they can finally take on the arduous journey they have spent months – if not more – preparing for.

A much-needed reprieve from a year cooped up indoors, spending three to five days in the Belizean jungle with only the broad-leafed trees and curious fur-covered fauna as sleeping companions is definitely welcomed. The journey begins at the world’s only jaguar preserve, Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary in the Stann Creek District. This protected area on its own is one travelers must explore, if not for the sole reason of the impressive double waterfalls after the hike (but that’s for another time.) This time, you begin the journey here so that 27km later, the sight of undulating green-carpeted hills below you is seared into your memory forever.

Most complete the first leg of the journey in 12 –19 km, stopping at a camp to rest for the night. After settling into your comfy hammock and falling asleep to nearby gurgling streams (no white noise machine needed here), you awake and set off on to summit the daunting Victoria Peak. It usually takes three to six hours of steep inclines, using roots to pull yourself up, and thigh-burning grapples. But by the time you arrive, the reward has never felt so refreshing. We recommend taking a moment to center yourself, and snap photos of the well-earned view splayed out at your feet. It is now time to return back to the 19km camp (and you just might spot one a shy jaguar or two on your way down!)

There’s something minuscule that loosens inside you when you hear them for the first time: the vibrations of the segunda humming in your veins as you watch the dancer — a swatch of color — bask in the cacophony that are the Garifuna drums.

Nothing prepares you for the lightness that suddenly enters your body, pooling at your feet, until you can’t help but join in the swaying of the hips, the tapping of the soles and the smile on your lips.

This is the joy of the Garifuna.

The Garifuna Drumming Tour is one that many underestimate, but quickly becomes the highlight of many travelers’ Belize vacation. The culturally saturated village of Hopkins in the southeast coast is the perfect hub to experience it. You’ll find yourself on a sandy beach with about 4 or 5 Garifuna drummers banging away rhythms that threaten to reveal your (poor) dance skills. In no time, your body will beg to join the dancer and the orbit of her flapping skirts. And more often than not, you’ll eventually be invited to show off your own drumming skills alongside the maestros. Their melodic voices will carry you through song after Garinagu song, until you’re famished for the next part of the tour: a Hudut cooking class.

The traditional Garifuna dish will destroy your palate when it comes to other seafood dishes, because after that, nothing will ever be as good. You’ll learn how to make this coconut-based fish soup entirely from scratch, down to the mashing of green plantain in an old-school giant wooden mortar + pestle. Don’t worry, that arm workout will be rewarded with a hot, spice-ridden soup that will have you learning the phrase “straight from the fiyaa haat! (Fire hearth)”

At the end of this roughly two-hour tour, your feet will be happy, your belly full and your appreciation for the Garifuna culture multiplied by tenfold.

And that’s just scratching the surface of what a cultural tour is like in Belize.

Everyone’s Belize vacation experience is unique, whether they decided to have a solo trip, a romantic getaway or a group trip with the squad. However, there are certain requirements that absolutely cement your experience as the basis for any Belize vacation. Here are some of the most popular tropes that every Belize traveler shares with the locals living them out every single day.

1) There is such a thing as “Belizean timing.” If the motto for Caye Caulker (Go Slow) is any indication to this established notion, Belizeans really do abide by a “Belizean timing.” Here’s a tip for your first trip to Belize: nothing will ever start on time. There’s a good chance any event or friend meet-up will start around a half hour later, the earliest. We like to take our time, so you should, too. There’s no need to stress over here, leave that for when you return home! Here, the Belizean timing is a blessing, reminding you to not take life too seriously and that everything happens in due time.

2) No such thing as too much pepper. If you listen closely, you can hear Marie Sharp evangelists touting support for the famous pepper sauce that has become the mascot for pepper in Belize. Local pepper sauces grace almost every single table across restaurants and homes in Belize. And for those that don’t, it’s not an unusual sight to see a local pull out a mini-sized pepper bottle from the depths of their pocket (it’s true, I’ve seen it happen,) and drizzle a bit onto their rice and beans. If you don’t leave Belize with a bunch of these little bottles as souvenirs, you did your vacation wrong.

3) The Blue Hole is absolutely worth all the hype. No matter how many times you fly over the Great Blue Hole, it’ll leave you in awe every single time. True, it is our most famous selling point, but for good reason. This natural phenomenon is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, deservedly so. The experience of flying across the barrier reef, spotting the gaping, dark blue cavern from above, is arguably close to enlightenment. Every person who has been lucky enough to experience this tour has never regretted it. In fact, many do repeat trips! Definitely keep it on your bucket list when traveling to Belize.

4) A Maya site is like pizza. There is no bad pizza. We’ve all heard the original rendition of this saying, but it also applies to our many Maya temples scattered across Belize. Sure, Mr. Popular Xunantunich is a gargantuan marvel that everyone should visit when in San Ignacio, but don’t overlook the many others that might be more accessible to your location, with the same amount of grandeur. Caracol is massively underrated, despite housing the tallest temple in the entire region. Lamanai in the north has a unique means to access the site, earning the experience extra adventure points. And let’s not forget about Altun Ha, the closest one to the international airport, yet devoid of crowds. In Belize, no Maya site will leave you wanting for more, we promise.

5) The never-ending debate about ketchup on garnaches. This debate plagues Belizeans every day, the social media spheres battling as to whether ketchup belongs on the fried-tortilla treats that are piled high with refried beans, cheese and other toppings. (Serious stuff, I know). If you have experienced this traditional dish in Belize, you have probably been subjected to a bystander’s aggressive suggestion (or their mortification, depending on the region) to add ketchup to garnaches. However, there is no wrong way to eat this Belizean dish (though about 50% of Belize disagrees.) ­

Get married in Bermuda and you’ll always have the perfect excuse to come back. As life changes, Bermuda’s extraordinary qualities endure: moonlit beaches, secluded coves, nighttime symphonies of tiny tree frogs and, most alluring of all, a timeless mystique – what frequent visitor Mark Twain called a “subtle, indefinable charm of remoteness.” These same qualities set Bermuda apart as an exceptionally romantic honeymoon spot.

THE WEDDING VENUE OF YOUR Wildest Dreams
Bermuda’s oceanfront resorts, lush flowering gardens, historic churches, intriguing grottos and other photogenic settings make incredible backdrops, and the island’s mild weather makes outdoor events especially enjoyable. Explore all the options and find the venue that mirrors your vision for the big day.

DELIVERING ON Every Detail
There are hundreds of reasons to get married in Bermuda, and there are just as many wedding planners and suppliers on the island to help you do so. These talented, trusted professionals are ready to assist you through every step down to the last detail.

MEMORIES TO TREASURE for a Lifetime
Romance comes naturally in Bermuda, which makes it the perfect place for honeymoons and anniversaries. Go boating, snorkelling or diving to experience the 180 islands and islets that make up this archipelago. The island’s surrounding waters are full of coral reefs, colourful sea life and more than 300 shipwrecks. On land, explore everything from pink-sand beaches, blue grottos and lush gardens to historic towns, cultural gems and championship golf courses.

BERMUDA MAKES EVENTS Extraordinary
Now there is a renewed energy and excitement about the island as major renovations, new projects and legendary hospitality are paving the way for a next-generation destination to host meetings, conferences and incentive programmes. Set apart by its location out in the Atlantic, easy airlift access, the warmth of the people, its natural beauty, along with elegant and elevated style, make Bermuda an ideal destination for guaranteeing lasting memories.

FACILITIES & VENUES Tailor-Made for Your Meeting
Bermuda’s elegant meeting venues come in the form of oceanfront resorts, historic hotels and other unique spaces featuring ballrooms, breakout rooms, onsite dining, spas and more. Host a meeting or event on the island and you can tailor it to fit your group’s size, style and budget.

THE UTMOST ATTENTION TO DETAIL Comes Standard
No one knows Bermuda better than on-island destination management companies and event planners. Count on them to offer thorough, professional and creative assistance, from pre-planning through post-event follow-up. Their skills and contacts will help you to make smart, informed decisions, and their precise attention to detail ensures a seamless experience.

PROFESSIONAL SERVICES FOR A Seamless Experience
From rentals and audio-visual services to catering, entertainment and transportation, Bermuda’s meeting suppliers help you cover all the bases to ensure a smooth, successful event. You can expect a quality product and personal, knowledgeable service every step of the way.

Since its founding in 1609 by shipwreck survivors, Bermuda has always punched above its weight in the sporting world, from the PGA TOUR and America’s Cup to youth camps and tournaments. This 21-square-mile island’s subtropical climate and breathtaking beauty make for an irresistible year-round setting for sporting events, while the expertise and professionalism of the Bermuda Tourism Authority sporting events team ensure next-level planning and execution.

We invite you to be a part of Bermuda’s sporting legacy.

WHY BERMUDA?
A Sporting Legacy
Organisers of past sporting events we’ve welcomed will tell you: Bermuda is much more than a pretty place. Just a two-hour flight from major U.S. East Coast airports, the island is convenient and easy to get to. Visitors can choose from an enticing collection of group-friendly restaurants and places to stay, and sports venues and infrastructure are state-of-the-art. The Bermuda Tourism Authority’s sports event planning team can arrange the venues and accommodations best suited for your event – and much more.

High-Profile Events
The flawless execution of the 2017 America’s Cup race is more than a feather in our cap – it’s a shining example of what can happen when you partner with BTA for an event. So, too, are the Howard University Training Camp that brought over 100 swimmers to the National Sports Centre, the USTA Visitor Tournaments that took place at the Coral Beach & Tennis Club and 2018’s Amlin World Triathlon.

A Safe, Welcoming Place
With its diverse blend of cultural influences and a population of just 65,000, Bermuda has the feel of a laid-back small town – albeit one with international sensibilities. It’s an island known the world over for its warmth and hospitality; the kind of place where everyone you pass says “good morning.” It’s also an incredibly safe place for groups of all ages. The crime rate is incredibly low, as are risks arising from natural hazards.

No matter what time of the year you choose to travel to Bosnia and Herzegovina, you’ll find something going on. Thanks in part to Bosnia and Herzegovina’s rich culture and love of celebration, there’s never a quiet moment in even the smallest of towns. You’ll find arts presentations and cutting-edge cultural commentary in Sarajevo and Banja Luka, while smaller cities offer more traditional festivals, including winter sports competitions and countless religious celebrations.

Be sure to check out Bosnia-Herzegovina’s festival schedule to choose the right time to travel there! Choose from contemporary showings and traditional events to see different sides of this diverse country.

International Sarajevo Winter Festival (February/Winter)
The International Winter Festival attracts exhibits from all over the world, including contemporary artistic presentations, concerts, sculpture exhibitions, and cultural commentary. Since its first year in 1984, this festival has become an indispensable part of life in Sarajevo. The International Sarajevo Winter Festival has received one of the highest awards possible, called “Sestoaprilska Negarda Sarajeva.”

Banja Luka Choir Gathering (April/May)
Enjoy a series of rich programs with some of the most beautiful voices in Bosnia-Herzegovina.

Kids’ Festival (June)
The biggest independent kids’ event in southeastern Europe is a great destination for a family vacation. Keep the kids entertained with cartoon films, workshops, kiosks, jugglers, dancers, and magic shows, and maybe catch a show or two yourself!

Bascarsija Nights (July)
Bascarsija Nights is one of the most notable cultural festivals to come to Sarajevo. This month-long festival is filled with 40-50 events that span anyone’s interests. Free admission and the beautiful location of this festival has added greatly to its charm over the years. Enjoy literary events, children’s programs, classical music, films, and classical opera and ballet.

Summer on the Vrbas (July)
This traditional event is held near the Kastel Fortress. What makes this festival unique is its blend of athletic events and cultural pursuits. Both artists and athletes display their impressive skills and abilities, so from kayak racing to meetings of artistic associations, there’s no way that visitors won’t find something just right.

Sarajevo Film Festival (August)
The Sarajevo Film Festival focuses on regional films, both long and short, and a variety of genres to choose from. Whether you’re a film buff or someone interested in taking in the culture of Bosnia-Herzegovina, you won’t be disappointed in this fantastic event and meeting place for artists all over the globe.

Banja Luka Summer Games (August)
Life returns to the area around Banja Luka’s historic Kastel as the Summer Games draw masses from Bosnia-Herzegovina and beyond. Enjoy a youthful spirit in the balmy city, while onlookers champion (and even rival) the outstanding athletes of Bosnia-Herzegovina’s past. As training conditions improve every year, it’s just a matter of time before Olympic gold medals flood Banja Luka again.

MESS Theater Festival (October)
This festival takes place every October, and has been since 1960. MESS, which stands for Small Experimental Stage, offers theater and modern dance performances are hand selected from all Europe. You can explore lots of creative performances that span many different cultures and languages, sometimes providing on-stage translators for specific events.

Jazzfest Sarajevo (November)
Jazzfest is Sarajevo’s jazz scene at its finest. This internationally-minded festival blends perfectly with the strong cafe culture that has regained its strength in Sarajevo. Any jazz lover should mark this festival as the perfect opportunity to experience jazz in an original, European setting.

When you travel to Bosnia and Herzegovina, be sure that you enjoy traditional dishes. Food in Bosnia and Herzegovina puts a spin on Balkan entrees and has a little something for every traveler, whether you love a good steak or you’re strictly veggie.

Appetizers
Bosnian food can be rich, but not in an unhealthy or unappetizing way. Fresh ingredients and whole foods make meals from Bosnia and Herzegovina totally appealing.

Start your day with a simple breakfast. The usual morning meal is a kwizija, or hearty meal. Stock up on a variety of small courses that include scrambled eggs and bread with a spread like jam, butter, and honey. Drink a strong, traditional coffee with a dash sweet sugar, or a cup of black tea. The feature of the breakfast is a soft white cheese straight from the farms in Bosnia and Herzegovina’s countryside.

Entrees
If you like meat and potato courses, you’ll be thrilled with the options you will find for entree selections in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Lunch is generally the largest meal of the day, so find the most intriguing restaurant in town and indulge!

Try dishes like the Bosnian bosanki lonac, a slow-roasted pot of meat and vegetables, or japrak, made up of cabbage rolls stuffed with a savory filling. If you are traveling in Mostar, try the trout, which is a specialty to the area. A buttery, flaky texture awaits, and is one option for someone who loves fish.

Dinner in Bosnia and Herzegovina is generally light. You’ll probably have it after 8:00 p.m., and for Americans and the British, this may seem quite late. Pack a snack of some Bosnian sweets to tide you over, like a tiny square of baklava, normally reserved for special occasions amongst Bosnians.

If you take advantage of Bosnia and Herzegovina’s surprisingly lively nightlife, try the Bosnian fast food called when you’re out late. This food may be fast but is actually quite traditional, dating back nearly 400 years! Your Bosnian cevaps, as they are nicknamed, will be made up of small sausages and chopped onions, folded in a pita bread called somun.

Drinks
Locally-produced wines and brandies spoil any connoisseur for choice. Sample the rakija, which is available in lots of fruit flavors like plum and grape.

Desserts
Besides the famous baklava, desserts often have fresh fruit and cream as main ingredients. Try the tufahijia, which is a delicious dessert dish made from apples filled with walnuts, and then topped with a rich layer of whipped cream. If you are partial to pudding, have the krempita, with a creamy, soft flavor similar to cheesecake. If you have room, you’ll want to try this delicious Bosnian food.

What makes Bosnian food even better is the overwhelming sense of hospitality and warmth. You’ll be offered cookies, cakes, sweets, coffee, meat platters, and cheese samplers, and once you start sampling, you won’t be able to stop. Just be sure to save room for the main course!

Bosnia and Herzegovina is one of the most diverse countries in former Yugoslavia, and you will feel this almost immediately when you visit. In Bosnia and Herzegovina, three groups make up the greatest percentage of the population: the Bosnians, Croats, and the Serbs. You can also find Jews, Romanian, Albanians, and Turks in Bosnia and Herzegovina. With this rich blend of culture and beliefs, you’ll feel steeped in a very old and complex way of life. Enjoy it!

Home Life in Bosnian Culture
In the countryside in Bosnia and Herzegovina, families usually live in houses of brick, stone, or wood. Countryside homes were traditionally zadrugas, which were made up of several families living on a common land. Families shared the farming responsibilities to lighten the workload of farming a great deal. Today, you will still find a great community atmosphere in small villages and suburban city regions alike.

Many Bosnians are Muslims, and if you plan home visits during your travels, keep in mind that removing your shoes is regular practice in Muslim households. Slippers are generally provided by the host when you visit Bosnian homes.

Family Life in Bosnian Culture
Elders are respected in Bosnian culture and are considered extremely important members of the family. Their opinions and wishes are always handled with the utmost care.

In fact, family life in general may seem more formal, including the relationship between parents and children. Bosnian culture still maintains extended family groups, which means that the grandparents live with their adult children and care for the children while the parents are at work. Godparenting is commonly practiced, and all children are raised with values respecting their older relatives and knowing that they will most likely care for older relatives later on.

Families were affected by the war in the 1990s, which visitors should keep in mind. Some families have been broken up and are now headed by widows after husbands were lost to the conflict. In addition, different areas reached a higher concentration during the war. More people moved into cities from the countryside, where they remain today. Suburban areas became much more heavily populated in the mid-1990s, adding even more personality to these already diverse areas.

Women and Marriage in Bosnian Culture
Women usually work outside of their homes in cities and large towns. In Bosnia and Herzegovina, women have equal political and economic rights. In many families, women may be more responsible for household tasks like food shopping, household chores, and childcare, particularly in more rural Bosnian regions.

Food in Bosnian Culture
You’ll find that no matter which cuisine you choose to sample, it most likely combines delicious roasted meats, stewed vegetables, and bread in a bevy of combination. Have a traditional Bosnian stew of cabbage and meat, and burek and pida, which are layered meat and cheese pies. Try baklava, a Turkish sweet, to finish off your meal.

Bosnian Culture Tourist Tips
*In Bosnia and Herzegovina, tipping in bars and restaurants is expected. In smaller restaurants, it’s not customary but is always appreciated. Aim for 5-10% of the total.

*Use caution when discussing politics. While many Bosnians are both friendly and enthusiastic to talk about any subject, it’s recommended that you listen to political opinions and not necessarily voice yours.

Embarking on a camping trip in Botswana requires a good deal of planning and preparation. You will be going to remote areas, accessible only by four-wheel drive, where water, petrol or food may not be available. You may often be driving on rough terrain, and through heavy sand, in conditions very different from those you are used to.

As a general rule, take all food requirements to last your stay. Take at least 20 litres of water per person, preferably more; for desert destinations, carry between 50 and 100 litres. Carry at least 100 litres of petrol in long-range tanks or in metal jerry tins. Take spare vehicle parts for breakdowns.

As campsites within game reserves and national parks are usually not fenced, it is important for campers to take necessary precautionary measures to ensure their safety, and to abide by the information provided by wildlife officers.

The following basic camping rules should be strictly heeded:
– Only camp in designated campsites.
– Always sleep in your tent, roof tent or vehicle. Make sure your tent zips up well.
– Don’t sleep with legs or arms protruding from the tent.
– Use rubbish receptacles at the campsites; if there are none, carry away all rubbish until you get to the next town.
– Cigarette butts should be well extinguished and placed in a rubbish bag, not thrown on the ground.
– Make sure the campfire is well extinguished at the end of the evening, or after use, and cover it with sand.
– Don’t sleep on bridges or animal paths, particularly those of elephants and hippos.
– Bury all faecal matter and burn all toilet paper.
– Don’t bathe or drink from still bodies of water; there is the danger of bilharzia.
– In the Okavango, don’t swim in lagoons or streams; there is the danger of crocodiles and/or hippos.
– Children must be constantly supervised. Never leave them alone in the campsite. Never allow children to nap on the ground or in the open.
Don’t stray far from the campsite, or walk in the bush, unless with a qualified guide.
– Driving is on the left side of the road. The national speed limit on tarred roads is 120 km/h and 60 km/h in towns and villages. Watch out for wildlife and domestic animals on the roads. In the National parks always stay on the established tracks in order to avoid the ugly scars left by off-road driving. Stay below the 40km/h speed limit for the safety of wildlife and yourselves.

The general rule of thumb for camping in Botswana is – take only memories, leave only footprints.

By Air
Air Botswana, Botswana’s national and only airline, provides international flights between Gaborone and Johannesburg, Gaborone and Harare, Maun and Johannesburg, Kasane and Johannesburg and Francistown and Johannesburg. Domestic flights run between Gaborone and Francistown, Maun and Kasane, and the airline has recently re-introduced its Maun to Kasane flight (three times per week).

Air Botswana has thrice daily flights between Gaborone and Johannesburg.
South African Airways has twice daily flights between Johannesburg and Gaborone, during the week.
South African Express has five flights daily between Johannesburg and Gaborone, during the week.
Air Botswana has daily flights from Johannesburg direct to Maun.
Air Namibia flies Windhoek to Maun every day of the week, except Tuesday and Thursday.
Kenya Airways flies Nairobi to Gaborone.
Air charter services are also available.
Light aircraft transfers have a 15kg luggage restrictions in soft, squashable bags PLUS 5kg of hand luggage. The size of the cargo pod of a Cessna 206, which is generally used on inter-camp transfers is 72cm wide and 29 cm high. Travelers coming for safaris are advised not to bring hard suitcases as they will not fit on light aircrafts.

Most major international airlines from Europe, the United States, Asia and Australia fly to Johannesburg, South Africa, where connecting flights can be booked to Sir Seretse Khama International Airport in Gaborone, or to Maun, Francistown or Kasane.

By Road
Botswana is accessible by tarred road from South Africa, Zimbabwe, Zambia and Namibia. Vehicles are driven on the left hand side of the road. A valid international driver’s license, along with vehicle registration documents, are required to drive in Botswana, and drivers should always carry them.

Most major roads in Botswana are tarred and driving conditions are generally good. The main roads to established areas are regularly graded. Four-wheel drive is required when travelling in the national parks and reserves, as well as in remote areas. Car and four-wheel drive rental services are widely available in major tourist centres, airports and hotels.

By Bus
There are scheduled bus services across borders between Botswana and South Africa, Zimbabwe, Namibia and Zambia, as well as good internal bus services linking major and minor towns and villages across the country.

By Rail
There are no passenger train services in Botswana. Cargo services run on a daily basis.
For more information consult The Botswana Railways website at www.botswanarailways.co.bw.

Getting Around In Towns
Taxis are normally a convenient way to get around in towns and are reasonably priced. They are easily identified in designated stations or can be contacted by telephone. Taxis to Gaborone are also available from Sir Seretse Khama International Airport.

Ethnic groups
The dominant ethnic identity in Botswana is Tswana, comprising some two-thirds of the population in the 21st century. The country’s whole population is characterized as Batswana (singular Motswana) whatever their ethnic origin. Tswana ethnic dominance (“Tswanadom”) in Botswana can be dated to the eight Tswana states, which ruled most of the area in the 19th century. Under British colonial rule, the populations of these states were given the official status of “tribes,” a term still used today.

Within southeastern Botswana the other main ethnic identity besides Tswana, that of the Khalagari (Western Sotho), has become so incorporated as to be almost indistinguishable from the Tswana. Even their name is now usually rendered in the Tswana form as “Kgalagadi.”

The Ngwato of east-central Botswana constitute the largest traditional “tribal” state but are probably less than one-fifth ethnic Tswana by origin. The major incorporated ethnic groups are Khalagari, Tswapong and Birwa (both Northern Sotho), and Kalanga (Western Shona). With larger numbers to the east in Zimbabwe, some Kalanga have resisted full incorporation.

The Tawana state of northwestern Botswana can be seen as the least successful in incorporating other ethnic groups. Most of its population is Yei and Mbukushu by origin, related to riverine peoples in the Caprivi Strip, Angola, and Zambia to the north. Smaller numbers of Mbanderu and Herero have greater numbers of close relatives across the border in Namibia. The Subiya along the Chobe, closely related to people in the Caprivi Strip and Zambia, were excluded from the Tawana “tribal” reserve by the British.

Small scattered groups of Khoisan people inhabit the southwestern districts of Botswana, as well as being incorporated with other ethnic groups. They include communities with their own headmen and livestock, as well as poorer groups employed by Tswana and white cattle farmers.

White settlement in Botswana, consisting of some Afrikaners and fewer English settled in border farms, totaled fewer than 3,000 people in the colonial period. The number of whites in Botswana, while showing some increase since independence, still accounts for only a very small portion of the total population. Botswana is also home to a small population of Asian or mixed ancestry.

Languages
The national language, Tswana (Setswana, Sechuana), is widely spoken. The official language is English. The Khoisan speak languages characterized as Khoe, or Khwe, and San. Several other languages are also spoken in the country, including Kalanga, Sekgalagadi, Herero, Mbukushu, and Yei.

Religion of Botswana
About one-half of the country’s population is Christian, predominantly independent Christian, with some Protestant. Some one-third adhere to traditional beliefs as their primary religious orientation. Christianity was introduced during the colonial era by missionaries from the south such as David Livingstone and was established as the official religion of the eight Tswana states by the end of the 19th century. Some indigenous religious and medical practices, notably respect for patriarchal ancestors, were assimilated within popular Christian beliefs.

Early period
Exploration and initial settlement
Europeans explored the Brazilian coastline only after mapping parts of the Caribbean Sea and the northeastern coast of South America; moreover, intensive exploration of Brazil resulted indirectly from Portugal’s efforts to expand its colonies in Africa and Asia. In 1498 the Portuguese navigator Vasco da Gama discovered an all-water route to the Indies and the Spice Islands via Africa’s Cape of Good Hope. The Portuguese king, hoping to capitalize on this discovery, dispatched an imposing armada to India under Pedro Álvares Cabral, whose sailing directions had been drawn up by da Gama himself. To avoid the calms off the Gulf of Guinea, Cabral bore so far to the west that on April 22, 1500, he sighted the mainland of South America. The Treaty of Tordesillas (1494) between Spain and Portugal had established a line at about longitude 46° 30′ W that divided Spanish (west) and Portuguese (east) claims in the New World. The region sighted by Cabral lay well within the Portuguese zone, and the crown promptly claimed it. Portugal’s new possession was initially called Vera Cruz (“True Cross”), but it was soon renamed Brazil because of the copious amounts of brazilwood (pau-brasil) found there that yielded a valuable red dye.

The tidings of Cabral’s landing aroused great enthusiasm among the Portuguese, and the crown began to sponsor major transatlantic explorations, including that of the Italian navigator Amerigo Vespucci, whose small fleet sailed along the coast of Brazil and for the first time estimated the extent of the land. Vespucci, calendar in hand, baptized different points on the coast with the names of the saints on whose days they were discovered.

Interest in Brazil waned over the subsequent two decades. The Portuguese began a desultory trade with the Indians for brazilwood, but they failed to discover precious metals in Brazil and thus focused their attention on the lucrative trade with Asia. Brazil became a sort of no-man’s-land over which the Portuguese crown wielded only a shadowy control, and European rivals quickly took advantage of that neglect. The French, in particular, trespassed on Portuguese claims in South America and shipped the dyewood to Europe. Portugal’s apathy ended, however, during the reign (1521–57) of John III, who gradually shifted the focus in colonial affairs from Asia to America.

The Portuguese crown made the first systematic effort to establish a government in Brazil in 1533. It divided the colony into 15 hereditary captaincies, or fiefs, each extending 50 leagues—i.e., about 160 miles (260 km)—along the coast and an indefinite distance inland. These grants were distributed to favoured persons, chiefly courtiers, who became known as donatários (“donees”) and wielded extensive rights and privileges; however, only two of the captaincies were ultimately successful: São Vicente (in present São Paulo state) and Pernambuco. The former included the town of São Vicente, the growing port of Santos, and the village of São Paulo on the Serra do Mar’s fertile Piratininga Plateau, all of which had a combined population of about 5,000 by the mid-16th century. The captaincy of Pernambuco developed in northeastern Brazil, centred on the town of Olinda. Its donatário, Duarte Coelho Pereira, converted Pernambuco into a great sugar-producing region, offering the first example of a profitable agrarian export from the New World to Europe.

Royal governors, Jesuits, and slaves
King John III resolved to strengthen his authority in Brazil by unifying the inefficient donatários under a central administration. He appointed as governor-general Tomé de Sousa, a Portuguese noble with impressive experience in Africa and India. Sousa landed in Brazil in 1549 and founded Salvador (Bahia), a capital from which Brazil was governed for 214 years. Sousa also placed local officials over the captaincies and fortified strategic points along the coast. In the cities, he established municipal organizations similar to those in Portugal. Brazil then began to attract settlers in increasing numbers. By 1600 Bahia and Pernambuco each had a population of roughly 2,000 Europeans and more than twice as many African slaves and Indians.

Jesuit brethren provided labour and expertise that were central to the progress of the colony. At the request of John III, Manuel da Nóbrega and several other Jesuits had accompanied Tomé de Sousa to Salvador and became the first of a long line of missionaries devoted to protecting and converting the Indians and raising the moral level of the colonists. As soon as they converted Indians to Christianity, the Jesuits settled them in aldeias (“villages”) that were akin to the missions in Spanish America. Most other Portuguese colonists owned Indian slaves, however, and resented the Jesuits’ control over such a valuable labour supply. A conflict arose between the two groups and reverberated throughout the colony, and both parties appealed to the crown. The Jesuits won a partial victory in a royal decree of 1574 that granted them full control over the Indians in the aldeias while permitting the colonists to enslave Indians captured in “legitimate warfare.” In the Amazon River basin, Father António Vieira became the centre of a somewhat similar conflict in the 17th century, when he established a chain of missions there. Though the missions helped protect Indians from slavery, they greatly contributed to the spread of deadly European diseases. Brazilian colonists, facing a compounding labour shortage in the mid-16th century, imported increasing numbers of African slaves.

Dutch and French incursions
Brazil had hardly been brought under royal Portuguese authority before the French made a determined effort to establish a permanent colony there. In 1555 French troops took possession of the beautiful harbour of Rio de Janeiro, which, inexplicably, the Portuguese had neglected to occupy. A large Portuguese force under Mem de Sá, the governor-general, blockaded the entrance to the harbour, eventually forced the French garrison to surrender, and founded (in 1567) the city of Rio de Janeiro to ward off future attacks.

Portugal was united with Spain from 1580 to 1640, and Brazil was consequently exposed to attacks by Spain’s enemies, including the newly independent Netherlands. The Dutch seized and briefly held Salvador in 1624–25, and in 1630 the Dutch West India Company dispatched a fleet that captured Pernambuco, which remained under Dutch control for a quarter-century. The company chose as governor of its new possession John Maurice, count of Nassau-Siegen, a prince of the house of Orange and perhaps the ablest administrator in the Netherlands. The Dutch also invited distinguished artists and scientists to make known to Europe the resources and beauties of Brazil; however, the profit-driven directors of the company refused to support John Maurice’s enlightened social policies, and he resigned in 1644. João Fernandes Vieira, a wealthy plantation owner, subsequently launched a rebellion that steadily gained ground against John Maurice’s incompetent successors. The Brazilians, acting without Portuguese aid, defeated and expelled the Dutch in 1654, an achievement that helped spark Brazilian nationalistic sentiments.

Ethnic groups
Brazil has long been a melting pot for a wide range of cultures. From colonial times Portuguese Brazilians have favoured assimilation and tolerance for other peoples, and intermarriage was more acceptable in Brazil than in most other European colonies; however, Brazilian society has never been completely free of ethnic strife and exploitation, and some groups have chosen to remain separate from mainstream social life. Brazilians of mainly European descent account for nearly one-half the population, although people of mixed ethnic backgrounds form an increasingly larger segment; more than two-fifths of the total are mulattoes (mulatos; people of mixed African and European ancestry) and mestizos (mestiços, or caboclos; people of mixed European and Indian ancestry). A small proportion are of entirely African or Afro-Indian ancestry, and peoples of Asian descent account for an even smaller division of the total. Indians are, by far, the smallest of the major ethnic groups; however, as many as one-third of all Brazilians have some Indian ancestors.

Brazilians of African descent (referred to by outside scholars as Afro-Brazilians) can be further characterized as pardos (of mixed ethnicities) or pretos (entirely African); the latter term is usually used to refer to those with the darkest skin colour. Although skin colour is the main basis of the distinction between pardo and preto, this distinction is often subjective and self-attributed. Many Brazilians of colour consider it more advantageous to identify themselves as pardos and therefore do so.

Skin colour and ethnic background influence social interactions in Brazil. Brazilians with darker skin colour account for a disproportionately large number of the country’s poor; nevertheless, racially motivated violence and intolerance are less common in Brazil than in the United States and some parts of Europe. Blatant discrimination is illegal but pervasive, especially in predominantly white middle- and upper-class areas, and racism often takes subtle forms. Interracial marriage does occur; however, the majority of marriages in Brazil are between two people of the same race or colour partly because Brazilians tend to interact primarily with people of their own social class and geographic region—two factors that are closely tied to race in Brazil. Still, although the country may not be a “racial democracy” as some observers have claimed, its social barriers are somewhat flexible and even permeable. Members of the light-skinned majority seldom discriminate against Afro-Brazilians who have achieved high levels of education or socioeconomic status. As a consequence, most Afro-Brazilians pursue social advancement through individual rather than collective actions, such as civil rights movements.

Language of Brazil
Portuguese is the first language of the vast majority of Brazilians, but numerous foreign words have expanded the national lexicon. The Portuguese language has undergone many transformations, both in the mother country and in its former colony, since it was first introduced into Brazil in the 16th century. The two countries have largely standardized their spellings, but pronunciations, vocabularies, and the meanings of words have diverged so widely that it now may be easier for some Brazilians to understand Spanish-language films from other Latin American countries than films from Portugal. Italians, Germans, Japanese, and Spanish-speaking immigrants have introduced new words and expressions in Brazilian Portuguese, such as the ubiquitous expression tchau (“farewell”), which was adopted from the Italian ciao. Foreign products and technologies have introduced additional terms.

Brazil’s indigenous peoples speak dozens of discrete languages, and some authorities suggest that the greatest divergence of the Brazilian language from the Portuguese can be traced to initial contact with the Indians. The Tupian, or Tupí-Guaraní, language group has especially influenced Brazilian place-names and added perhaps thousands of words and expressions to Brazilian Portuguese. Tupian was the principal language of Brazil’s native peoples before European contact, and it became the lingua franca between Indians and Portuguese traders, missionaries, adventurers, and administrators; it was widely used in the Amazon region and western Brazil until the 19th century. The Tupian influence also caused Brazilians to enunciate more clearly and to use more nasal speech patterns than their Iberian counterparts.

Religion
About two-thirds of the Brazilian people adhere to Roman Catholicism, which ceased to be the official religion after the proclamation of the republic in 1889. After independence, which loosed the formerly close links between church and state, the predominance of Catholics among the immigrants of the 19th and 20th centuries contributed to the lasting presence of that religion. Much of the rest of the population is Protestant, including fundamentalist and Pentecostal groups. (Evangelical groups gathered rapid support from the 1990s by taking some members from the Catholic ranks; in response, Catholic groups initiated a series of charismatic masses and rallies.)

The cultures of the indigenous Indians, Africans, and Portuguese have together formed the modern Brazilian way of life. The Portuguese culture is by far the dominant of these influences; from it Brazilians acquired their language, their main religion, and most of their customs. The Indian population is now statistically small, but Tupí-Guaraní, the language of many Brazilian Indians, continues to strongly influence the Brazilian Portuguese language; other Indian contributions to Brazilian culture are most apparent in the Amazon basin.

African influences on the Brazilian way of life are strongest along the coast between the Northeast and Rio de Janeiro; they include traditional foods, religions, and popular music and dance, especially the samba. Commercial and cultural imports from Europe and North America have often competed with—and influenced—Brazilians’ own cultural output, and critics have argued that the nation’s cultural identity is suffering as a result. Despite numerous social and economic challenges, Brazilians continue to be exuberant and creative in their celebrations and art forms.

Cultural institutions
The Brazilian Academy of Letters, with its headquarters in Rio de Janeiro, is generally regarded as the most prestigious of the country’s numerous learned societies. The National Library, also in Rio, was founded in 1810 with 60,000 volumes from the Portuguese royal library; it now holds millions of books and documents. Most of Brazil’s other libraries have limited holdings. Among the major history museums are the Museum of the Republic (1960; housed in the former governmental palace) and the National Historical Museum (1922), both in Rio, the São Paulo University Museum (1895), and the Imperial Museum (1940) in Petropólis.

The São Paulo Art Museum (1947) and Rio de Janeiro Museum of Modern Art (1948) are internationally renowned. Both Rio and São Paulo have major museums of anthropology and numerous theatres. A notable institution for the performing arts is the São Paulo State Symphony Orchestra (1953; revitalized 1972), housed since 1999 in the Sala São Paulo, a renovated early 20th-century railroad station. Few of the country’s major cultural institutions are based in Brasília.

The arts
Literature
Brazil has had many world-renowned literary figures whose cumulative writings are regarded by many to be richer than those of Portugal because of their variety of ethnic and regional themes. Joaquim Machado de Assis, the son of a freed slave, was a leading voice of the 19th century with his romantic novels. In the 20th century the Northeast produced a particularly wide range of superb writing, including that of Gilberto Freyre on the subject of life under slavery, Graciliano Ramos’s tragedies about the drought quadrilateral, João Guimaraês Rosa’s tales of survival and violence in the interior, and Jorge Amado’s lighthearted stories set in the cacao-growing zone of Bahia. Érico Veríssimo’s tales of southern Brazil have also been translated into many languages.

Visual arts
The landscape architect Roberto Burle Marx has made urban Brazilians especially aware of the splendours of their natural environment by replacing the traditional, formal European-style gardens containing imported plants with a profusion of native species in approximation to their natural settings. Some of Marx’s landscapes have been used to set off the imaginative structures of Brazil’s world-renowned architect Oscar Niemeyer.

Among his works, Niemeyer designed a striking array of public buildings in Brasília, in collaboration with Lúcio Costa, the creator of the capital’s original layout. Brazil also cherishes numerous splendid structures from its colonial and imperial past, from the tiled houses and ornate churches of Salvador to the palaces and public buildings of Rio de Janeiro. Among the most revered of these are the 18th-century churches in Minas Gerais that were adorned by facades, biblical scenes, and statues carved in soapstone by Antônio Francisco Lisboa, better known as Aleijadinho (“Little Cripple”).