Lois Swanson Travel Tips
June 2015 Trip Highlights
Insider Tip: From this villa, we needed a taxi for our return trip to airport (in addition to the van) as we had lots of luggage. Willie Greenidge is the man to contact. He is a friend of Terry & Yvette of Terrvette Tours.
Willie's cell is (246) 824-4254. He runs Emmanuel Tours. He was at our villa at 4 am to load up and we can highly recommend him for east coast transportation. Tell him
Lois Swanson of Barbadostips recommended.
June 2015 - our 34th trip. Another fantastic experience as always. Again we used Fast Track to bypass the long lines in the arrival hall at Grantley Adams Airport -- this is the best way to arrive. Upon arrival we were met by FIVE STAR FAST TRACK’s representative. She was outside the arrivals hall holding a card with our name so we could easily find her. My husband and I bypassed a full arrivals hall going through a special special “VIP” area where we immediately went through customs without any wait. She then assisted with our luggage and took us out to our rental car (by Stoutes) that was waiting for us. View their services at: www.fivestarfasttrack.com You can e-mail them at: reservations@fivestarfasttrack.com For $54.99 US/adult each it is well worth the cost - especially when the arrivals hall is full. We have used them since 2012. If you use them, be sure to mention you heard about them on Barbados Tips.
This visit we got a large van from Stoutes Car as our family was joining us later in the week - they have an office right at the airport, so it’s very convenient. If you want excellent vehicles, good pricing and service, definitely book with Stoutes. www.stoutescar.com If you mention my name, Lois Swanson, they will give you a discount.
We rented a gorgeous villa on the east coast this visit through Ron Stoute Villas. It was called Wavecrest. It is a 4-bedroom, very private villa in a complex with 2 other villas. This was totally private due to gates, and we even had a small private pool if we did not want to use the larger pool that was also used by the other 2 villas. Even though it was a 30 minute to 45 minute drive to south and west coast restaurants, it was worth it to stay in this villa.
We had fantastic meals at: Champers, Naru, The Tides, Tapas, and also lunch at a new place: The View at North Point, recently opened by Mannie Ward. Food is great and scenery is spectacular. Our good friend, Sarah Taylor, took us there. Also a wonderful evening was spent at Zen (at the Crane) with Ann Stoute and Sarah Taylor.
Lois with JC Chandler at the new Lancaster Great House. This is a must for either “Mr. Chandler’s Dinner Party" on Friday nights or for their fabulous Sunday Planter’s Buffet for some real Bajan treats. You can read about this on another page in this website.
Had a great cruise on the Calabaza with Gina and her crew. Only 12 people, so it was nice and private. They take photos of your water adventures and post online so you can enjoy the experience all over again. Be sure to check them out and let them know you read about them on Barbadostips.
Also for a real treat check out Glory Tours 10 new “Specialty Tours” - they are fantastic. http://www.glorytours.org/specialtytours.html You can’t go wrong with any of them. Be sure to mention you read about them on Barbados Tips.
So this ends my highlights for our 2015 experience. I’m ready to go back. In November, Bridgetown is all lit up for Independence Month -- that’s really spectacular to see.