Beautiful Barbados would be a joy to visit at any time of the year but when storms were queuing up to batter Scotland, it was nothing less than a godsend.
My trip to this Caribbean gem was the perfect antidote to the last days of a Scottish winter.
I flew on the new Virgin Atlantic direct flight from Edinburgh and was lucky enough to enjoy the excellent Upper Class service which included a seat that converts into a bed.
The near nine-hour flight didn’t seem so long with the luxury facilities and the friendly expertise of the Virgin cabin crew.
Temperatures were in the high 20s with low humidity throughout our heavenly five-night stay at the stylish O2 Beach Club and Spa hotel near the popular St Lawrence Gap area on the south coast of the island.
My deluxe room had an ocean view framed by 40ft palm trees and augmented by a soundtrack of waves lapping the powder white sands a few yards from my balcony.
The all-inclusive hotel for adults had a laid back vibe that was perfect for the idyllic setting on a glorious 1,000 feet stretch of south facing beach.
For some, the ocean waves at the beachfront won’t be ideal for swimming or paddling but a short walk along the beautiful sand leads to much calmer waters.
The 130 spacious rooms and suites at the O2 are tastefully designed with work from local artists giving it a great sense of place. Some of the suites are swim-up. What a way to cool down after enjoying the Caribbean sun on your own terrace.
Tasty buffet breakfasts, lunches and dinners were served in Elements restaurant which provides a delightful al-fresco setting with sea views.
There were a number of great eating options but I especially enjoyed the exclusive Chef’s Table, where our delicious food was accompanied by wine chosen by the hotel’s sommelier. Before each course in the Oro restaurant on the 9th floor of the hotel, the chef came out to tell us how he had prepared the fabulous food before the sommelier explained why he had chosen each wine. It was an exquisite experience .
One of the highlights of our stay at the hotel was a delightful art class under palm trees on the beach.
Hosted by artist Yasmin Vizcarrondo, we learned how to paint with oils on canvas while sipping white wine as the waves crashed against the rocks.
Yasmin taught our group to paint a Bajan sunset and, I’m happy to tell you, my effort received her nod of approval. This was more due to Yasmin’s ability as a teacher than any artistic talent, but I was still chuffed to bits.
The hotel’s Acqua Spa was another treat, as if our stay could have been any more relaxed. It boasts a range of treatments but I enjoyed a full body massage which had me walking on air.
Our hosts aimed to show the island at its best so we were treated to trips that touched on the history of Barbados as well as introducing the willing group to a good time, Bajan style.
One highlight for this veteran partygoer was the Cool Runnings catamaran boat trip which we caught in the capital Bridgetown.
It dropped anchor off the shore of a beach famed for turtles and we snorkelled in the cool turquoise sea. Sadly, there were no turtles to be seen.
Swimming in the calm clear waters was enough of a delight though so the stop was not, ahem, turtley disappointing.
We were then invited to swim among a sunken shipwreck before cruising up the coast until we reached another quiet spot on the west side of the island. There we swam some more and had a tasty buffet lunch washed down with rum punch.
We went on a safari tour on the one day when the heavens opened for a short while, heading up the rugged east coast, tracking in parts the island's old railway line.
We stopped off at laid back Bathsheba where we marvelled at the strange rock formations while enjoying a rum punch or two.
Barbados is a small island and our trip around it only took a few hours, heading north before cutting across to the west coast and heading back south past the moneyed areas where the likes of Simon Cowell has a holiday home.
It was on the west coast our party enjoyed a culinary highlight of the trip when we visited the Sea Shed restaurant on Mullins Beach.
As a starter, some of our group shared a generous portion of house nachos. Thin chips covered in guacamole, sour cream and shrimp.
But I got the show on the road with a dish of plump deep fried breaded shrimp served with a sweet chilli sauce. Sensational.
My main course was a seafood spaghetti, which was packed with mussels, clams and more shrimp.
All washed down with local Bajan beer, it was a treat.
The backdrop was a stunning crescent moon shimmering on the water. The soundtrack was chilled house music and the Atlantic Ocean lapping the shore just a few feet away.
On one of the trips we enjoyed on our stay we went underground to Harrison's Cave which was rediscovered in the 1970s and can now be toured in an electric tram. The stalagmites and stalactites were fascinating rising and hanging over clear water pools and streams deep under ground.
The cave complex is part of an eco park where monkeys could be seen swinging from the tree branches.
On another day we visited St Nicholas Abbey to the north of the island.
The former sugar plantation is now a working rum distillery and has the island’s only steam railway which chugged to the top of Cherry Hill where we enjoyed incredible views of the east coast.
The Abbey has a shop and cafe to relax in after an informative tour of the distillery and the main house.
Our five-day trip flew in. I loved it all apart from the terrible roads - especially off the beaten track - but I could easily have spent far longer at the O2 Beach Club and Spa where the friendly staff made us feel right at home.
I hope it’s not too long before I return to this wonderful Caribbean island, which has something for everyone.
For more information about what to see and do on the island visit www.visitbarbados.org
