Fly to Barbados Non-Stop From Atlanta with Delta Special

ATLANTA (Dec. 14, 2009) – Cure post-holiday blues with a warm-weather getaway to the beautiful white sand beaches of Barbados.  With one-way fares from Atlanta non-stop to Barbados’ Grantley Adams International Airport starting at just $229*, each way based on required round-trip purchase, traveling to the Caribbean in the high season has never been more affordable.  *Additional taxes/fees/baggage charges apply.  See below for details.  Tickets must be purchased by Dec. 28, 2009 for travel on or between Jan. 16 and Feb. 28, 2010.  To book tickets or for fare information, visit delta.com.  For information about Barbados and accommodation options, visit www.visitbarbados.org.

With a vibrant festival schedule throughout the year, several events will be taking place on island in January and February, including:

Hike Barbados – Starting in January, every Sunday through December

Guests experience the natural beauty of Barbados by hiking through the very middle of its cane fields, gullies, tropical forests and coastal communities. Hikes are scheduled weekly and depart each Sunday morning and afternoon from different locations on the island, lasting three hours in duration.  Morning hikes, departing at 6am, vary in intensity based on hikers’ experience levels and taste, starting with the two mile long “Grin and Bear”, the six mile long “Stop and Stare” and nine mile long “Medium” and “Fast Medium” treks.  Afternoon hikes start at 3:30 p.m. and Moonlight Hikes begin at 5:30 p.m. and both follow the “Stop and Stare” route. Hike Barbados is a free activity, but gladly accepts donations to help the Barbados National Trust preserve the built and natural environment.         

Barbados Jazz Festival –January 11-17

Bringing some of the best local, national and international jazz performers to the stage, this annual event is popular with jazz aficionados and attracts music fans from all over the world. Concerts take place at various venues across the island. 

Open House Program – Starting in January, every Wednesday through March

Sponsored by the Barbados National Trust, this program provides entry into rich historic homes that reveal a range of lifestyles, architecture and historical features, giving locals and island visitors the opportunity to visit private properties that usually remain closed to the general public. 

Slam-a-Dom Extravaganza – January 21, 23, 24

Slam-a-Dom is the annual international tournament, created by competition domino players to promote the sport.  The sport of dominos is not only a favorite pastime of Barbadians, but one that they excel at and have even claimed the World Champion title.  The competition is played in both four-hand and three-hand formats and winners are rewarded with monetary prizes. 

Barbados Horticultural Society Annual Flower Show – January 30-31

Held at the Ball Plantation in Christ Church, this popular two-day show offers visitors the opportunity to see an incredible range of flower displays and show gardens.  Barbados has won 12 gold medals in the Queen’s Gold Medal at the famous Chelsea Flower Show in London and continues as a leader in international floral competitions.  The Annual Flower and Garden Show, which is organized by the Barbados Horticultural Society, includes live musical performances, trade stalls and numerous food and drink stalls.

Waterman Festival – February 6-7

The Waterman Festival lasts for three weekends and celebrates surfing, windsurfing and kite surfing with an exciting series of competitive events. Activities take place all over the island with most events composed of invited professionals, but amateurs and touring professionals also have the opportunity to participate. Hot social events are the surfer buffet and the sunset "deAction Beach Party" at Brian Talma's ‘Irie Man Action Shop’ in Silver Rock.

Holetown Festival – February 14-21

The week-long celebrations of the Holetown Festival kick-off with a bang at the Holetown Monument in the centre of the town. The event marks the arrival of the first settlers at the site now known as Holetown on February 17, 1627. The festival provides visitors with an introduction to Barbadian culture and traditions through a varied program that includes concerts, live music, street parades, beauty pageants, craft fairs, historical exhibitions, sporting competitions and food and drink events.

About Barbados:

The island of Barbados offers the most authentic Caribbean experience with its exceptionally rich culture and history rooted in remarkable landscapes, including The Crane beach, St. Philips, voted one of the world’s sexiest beaches for 2008 by Concierge.com.  Barbados 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 sporting 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 even more non-stop and direct service from a growing number of U.S. cities via newly-launched JetBlue, Air Jamaica, American Airlines, Delta and US Airways, making Barbados the true gateway to the Eastern Caribbean.  Barbados was voted #8 in the World by Trip Advisor’s ‘2008 Travelers Choice Destination Awards’ in its Top 100 Destinations category.  Follow the Barbados beat and catch up on the latest news via the Barbados Facebook page at www.tinyurl.com/barbadosbeat and Twitter at www.twitter.com/barbadostourism.  For more information on travel to Barbados, visit www.visitbarbados.org, or contact the Barbados Tourism Authority at 1.800.221.9831.

About Delta

*Terms and Conditions:

Restrictions: Tickets are nontransferable. Seats are limited and this fare may not be available on all flights or in all markets. Tickets: Fare shown is one-way. Round-trip purchase is required. Tickets must be purchased 24 hours after reservations are made, but no later than December 28, 2009. Travel Period: Travel may begin on or after January 16, 2010 and must be completed by February 28, 2010. Blackout Dates: None Fare Validity: Fare is valid in the Economy (Coach) cabin on Delta flights only. Minimum Stay: Saturday night. Maximum Stay: 30 days. Cancellations/Refunds/Changes: Tickets are nonrefundable except in accordance with Delta’s cancellation policy. Fees may apply for downgrades/reissues and itinerary changes. Contact a Delta agent or visit delta.com for details. Taxes/Fees: Federal Excise tax of $3.60, Passenger Facility Charge(s) of up to $4.50, and the September 11th Security Fee of up to $2.50 for each flight segment are not included. For travel to/from Hawaii/Alaska, U.S. International Air Transportation Tax of up to $16.00 is not included. International fares, including fares for travel to/from PR/U.S. Virgin Islands,] do not include U.S. International Air Transportation Tax of up to $32.20 and U.S. and foreign user, inspection, security or other similarly based charges, fees or taxes of up to $299, depending on itinerary. Baggage Charges: For travel within the United States/PR/U.S. Virgin Islands and to/from Canada, $15 fee for 1 checked bag and $25 fee for second checked bag when bags are prepaid during online check-in at delta.com.

For travel to/from Mexico, Central and South America (except Brazil), and the Caribbean, $25 fee for second checked bag when bags are prepaid during online check-in at delta.com. There is a $5 surcharge per bag on applicable fees when checking in via ticket counter, kiosk, or curbside. For all other travel, no fee for 2 checked bags ($50 for second checked bag for travel to/from Europe) and $200 fee for third checked bag. Allowances subject to size/weight limits. Contact a Delta agent. Miscellaneous: Fare and rules are subject to change without notice. It is the responsibility of the passenger to be in possession of all necessary documentation (e.g. valid passport, visa where applicable) at the time of departure from origin. Delta reserves the right to deny boarding to passengers without the proper documentation. Other restrictions may apply. ©2009 Delta Air Lines, Inc.

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