Barbados is terrific. It is a wonderfully varied island and could be explored for at least a couple days. See www.barbados.org

The two islands are somewhat different - so it depends on what you are looking for. Grenada is a nature island with lots of variety in accommodation, restaurants, beaches, things to see and do. There are lots of beach bars on both Grand Anse Beach and the Morne Rouge Bay (Grand Anse is in the main hotel belt and Morne Rouge is 5 minutes away). Grenada offers a variety in activities including hiking, mountain biking, river tubing, kayaking, etc., there is also an underwater sculpture park which is great for snorkelling if you are not a diver - it is the only one of its kind in the world and a favourite with snorkellers and divers. Grenada is also known as the Spice Island so many tours will include visits to a spice processing station or spice estate (all over 100 years old) and visits to several forts, waterfalls, lakes and the Grand Etang Rainforest which also has hiking trails for different levels of hiking. There are several craft markets that sell arts, crafts and souvenirs and if you are there over a Saturday, the Saturday Market in the heart of the city is a great experience to get a real flavour of the local people and get your spices and a variety of local fruits. If this sounds like what you are looking for, then Grenada will be ideal but no harm in spending a day or two in Barbados. You can also take a look at some of the comments on Grenada on TripAdvisor to see what visitors think of the island. If you havent already booked, you can also take a look at the official tourism website (www.grenadagrenadines.com) to explore accommodation. Whatever you choose to do - hope you have a great time and Happy 50th.

Thanks to both of you for your replies. And Suzi, thanks for the detail on Grenada. I picked Grenada for our first foray into the caribbean specifically because it seemed to click with me(from what I have read) and I believed it would fit with the way we travel.

I guess what I'm not sure of, is how much of my Grenada vacation I should give over to Barbados. I think we'll be tired from flying all day on Saturday, so I'm tempted to give us one full day on Barbados, and then head for Grenada on Monday morning. That will leave us with 5 nights on Grenada.

I realize this is purely a question of personal preference. I am hoping that someone who's been to both islands, maybe even on the same trip, may be able to shed some light on the dilema.

Thanks again,
H

We're also looking at Grenada for our next trip. Thanks for the info.

I am sure you will enjoy a weekend in Barbados before heading to Grenada - it is also a great opportunity to see more than one island in one trip. I say go for it!

I've traveled to both islands but not on the same trip, and I've also used Barbados as just a stopoff point--a gateway island to the Grenadines.

I liked my Barbados vacation very much. We stayed in the off season at Cobblers Cove after a winning bid at SkyAuction. The beaches were lovely, the food was good, and the island felt more British and a bit more refined that most other islands I've visited.

However, I LOVE Grenada and I would be loathe to give up time there just to spend more time in Barbados. It just depends on what you're looking for.

There's not much rhyme or reason with me and the islands I've fallen in love with. While I liked Barbados very much, I've never planned a return trip there. I was instantly smitten with Grenada and have made several return trips there. There are just as many people who would tell you the opposite, though. If either island is already calling to you without having visited, go with your instinct. The islands that I've "clicked" most with were the islands I was halfway in love with before even visiting: Anguilla, Grenada, Virgin Gorda, Nevis, Bequia. Because I research obsessively, I've never been disappointed on a trip, but other islands never made the leap from "like" to "love" for me.

ej,
Thank you for your reply. I hadn't checked back in a bit as we've been busy with contractors this week. We're re-building our home due to the tornado in May.

Your response struck me because as I researched a Caribbean vacation that never happened a few years ago, I instantly fell in love with Grenada, and I have to say Bequia as well. Part of me says give Barbados a whole day, get over the flight, and explore the island a tiny bit.

But part of me says go to Grenada the very next morning because 1 day in Barbados will not do it justice and leave the exploration of the island to it's own vacation. Plus that will give us a chance to really 'settle' into Grenada.

Still debating, but I need to purchase our Liat ticket before prices rise. I'll post back when we decide.

Thanks again,
H

You will need more than a day in Barbados to really enjoy it. For this short trip I would say head directly to Grenada. As you are going mid-January, pricing is at its peak throughout the Caribbean, so Barbados would probably cost you more for the short stay and you would not have enough time to enjoy it. I would say if you are intrigued by Barbados, go back there another time and just visit that island. If you go after April 15, prices drop dramatically and don't go back up again until mid-December.

However, in September and October, lots of great restaurants and hotels are closed for their annual refurbishing and also because it is such a slow time.

Take a look at my tips on Barbados and they may help you decide in the future if you would like to return:
www.barbadostips.com