Barbados Opens Its Arms - And Its Homes - To Visitors

The 2008 Open House Season allows travelers to tour private, historical homes in Barbados

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, January 30, 2008 – Every Wednesday from now until April 9, 2008, the Barbados National Trust’s Open House Program provides entry into rich historic homes that reveal a range of lifestyles, architecture and historical features across the sun-drenched island of Barbados.  The Open House Program gives locals and island visitors the opportunity to visit private properties that usually remain closed to the general public. Admission to the Open House Programme for National Trust members is $5 USD ($10 BDS), $9 USD ($18 BDS) for non-members, per house each week. 

Whether seeking an up-close and personal look at the island’s rich history, or in search of interior design and decorating ideas, visitors are sure to be fascinated by this year’s Open House Program. 

This year’s schedule of events includes: Andrew’s Sugar Factory, inhabited by the manager of one of Barbados’ two functioning sugar factories, reflecting a life of travel in other sugar-producing countries. 

The Windward home, beautifully situated in gardens on a ridge of the Sandy Lane Golf Course, formerly the retreat of legendary racing driver, the late Count Johnny Lurani.

St. Nicholas Abbey, not a traditional, religious Abbey, but one of only three surviving Jacobean-style houses in the Western Hemisphere, was built in the mid-17^th century and is set in 200 acres of cane. 

Pollards Mill built circa 1722, combines the best of both old and new, as the property’s many lives have included that of a plantation, a hotel and a fine restaurant.  Today the whole complex is surrounded by 2.5 acres of walled tropical gardens.

For decades, Open House season has been the National Trust’s most popular annual fundraising series, offering insight and entertainment for its patrons. Funds raised support heritage preservation efforts in Barbados. For further information, or a schedule of this year’s events, visit the Barbados National Trust’s website at http://trust.funbarbados.com/, or call 246.426.2421.

The island of Barbados offers the most authentic Caribbean experience with its exceptionally rich culture and history rooted in remarkable landscapes ranging from rolling waves on the Atlantic to those gently lapping the Caribbean coast. It is the first and only Zagat rated Caribbean island with numerous internationally-renowned chefs who masterfully put signature spins on local delicacies and traditions. Barbados is also an ideal stage for world-class events and has hosted numerous athletic championships, including the ICC Cricket World Cup Final 2007 and the 2006 PGA World Golf Championship-The Barbados World Cup. Accommodations range from picturesque plantation houses and villas to quaint bed and breakfasts to award-winning five-star resorts. The newly renovated Grantley Adams International Airport offers non-stop and direct service from a growing number of U.S. cities via Air Jamaica, American Airlines, Delta and US Airways, making Barbados the true gateway to the Eastern Caribbean. The island’s official website is www.visitbarbados.org.  For more information, contact the Barbados Tourism Authority at 1.800.221.9831.

###