Art Studios: Art Studios is a small complex of studio apartments owned by a mix of couples, many of whom rent their properties out as well as using them as holiday homes themselves. Following Audrey's retirement, Meschell is our new housekeeper, and Harry looks after the gardens. If you feel like eating in without the hassle of cooking, Harry will deliver a delicious Bajan meal, prepared by his wife for a reasonable price. The gardens are lush and colourful, and there is a communal seating area where you can join other residents/owners to talk about your day. Then at sundown, everyone makes their way to the beach steps, drink in hand, to watch the sun slowly sink down while the beautiful, warm Barbados evening begins.
Barbados is a wonderful holiday island with a stable economy and political system, idyllic climate, and very friendly residents. The west coast is one of the most popular areas, famous for its calm seas and beautiful beaches. All of these are open to the public, so you can walk along the coast as far as you like and choose the spot you fancy for a swim next day. If you are fond of wildlife you may want to be on the lookout for the occasional mongoose or green monkey in the gardens. A holiday at Art Studios is a very relaxing experience where you may be as solitary or as sociable as you please.
For history lovers: The parish of St. James has great historic significance, as it was here that the first British settlers landed in 1625. Under the authority of King James, the British claimed Barbados upon landing in St. James' present-day Holetown (formerly Jamestown, named after the King himself). St. James parish church, just up the road from Art Studios, is the oldest Anglican church on the island, the original wooden structure (no longer standing) having been built in 1628.
Around the island: Barbados has so many interesting places to explore. The east coast is rugged and wild with spectacular scenery and virtually no commercial development, well worth a long walk along the sands and rock pools (swimming not advised) or, if you're not feeling energetic, a drive to admire the views or the surfers at Bathsheba. There is a wildlife reserve in the north of the island, botanical gardens on the east coast, Harrison's cave in the centre with an impressive display of stalactites and stalagmites, plantation houses, art galleries and craft studios, the largest military garrison in the Caribbean, rum distillery tours, catamaran snorkeling trips . . . the list goes on. Our folder of information in the apartment provides details of the main attractions. St. Lawrence Gap on the south coast is the main nightlife area in Barbados, with hotels, street parties, bars, restaurants and nightclubs. Bridgetown is home to a wide variety of shops, and you can benefit from the duty-free goods that are available on Broad Street (don't forget your passport). Wherever you go in Barbados you will find friendliness and good humour.
