- Tour code
BRBADV02
- Start
Bridgetown
- End
Bridgetown
- Min. age
16 years old
- Group size
Max 6-16 travellers
- Trip style
Explorer
- Trip pace
Easy
- Language
English
Barbados has been making rum since the mid-1600s, and this day lets you see that story in the places it happened.
You start at St. Nicholas Abbey, one of the oldest plantation houses in the Americas. You'll walk through the house and gardens, see the distillery at work, taste its rum, and ride the estate's heritage steam railway out into the countryside.
Lunch is at a seaside restaurant, with tropical drinks, before the road follows the Atlantic coast to Bathsheba, where giant rock formations stand in the surf. The final stop is Mount Gay, where a guided tasting walks you through the flavors that make Barbadian rum distinct.
It's a long day, but transport is handled throughout, so you can taste freely.
Why This Journey
Rum is woven into Barbadian history, and this day follows it from a 17th-century plantation estate to one of the island's best-known distilleries, with the wild Atlantic coast in between. You see where the rum is made, not just where it's poured.
It suits travelers curious about Caribbean history as much as rum lovers, and because the driving is taken care of, everyone in the group can join the tastings.
Good to Know
Duration: about 7.5 hours, starting and ending in Bridgetown. Bring your camera for the Bathsheba coastline.
What you will see and do
Tour St. Nicholas Abbey's house, gardens and distillery
Take a ride behind a restored steam locomotive
Compare rums at a guided Mount Gay tasting
What's included
All activities mentioned on the itinerary
Experienced Soca Islands Host with you throughout the trip
One farewell group activity when possible
Max 16 travellers per group
Group transportation
Transfers to and from the excursion
What's excluded
- Flights, accommodation and airport transfers
- Travel insurance (proof of cover required)
Group itinerary
St. Nicholas Abbey
The morning is spent at this 17th-century estate in the north of the island. Explore the house and gardens, see how the distillery works, and taste its award-winning rum where it's made.
Heritage steam railway
Climb aboard the restored steam train for a ride through the estate's fields and out into the countryside.
Seaside lunch
A local lunch with tropical drinks at a restaurant by the sea gives everyone a chance to refuel before the afternoon.
Bathsheba
The road follows the Atlantic coast to Bathsheba, where the surf breaks around huge boulders standing in the water. Bring your camera.
Mount Gay
The day ends at the famous distillery with a guided tasting of its signature rums and the flavors that make Barbadian rum distinct.
Rooms
- Included
Shared double
Shared with the person you book with, or a fellow traveller of the same sex.
- Extra cost
Single room
A room to yourself, subject to availability.
You choose your room when you book.
Tour FAQS
Fly into and out of Grantley Adams International Airport (BGI).
Everything listed under What's Included for this trip, including all activities mentioned in the itinerary. Anything not listed there, such as flights and accommodation, is not included.
Yes. Transfers to and from the excursion are included. Airport transfers are not included. Contact our Customer Experience team to confirm your pickup point and time.
Your camera for the Bathsheba coastline.
Yes, private group bookings can be requested. Contact our Customer Experience team and they will help arrange it for your group.
Yes. If you arrive on Day 1 of your adventure or book pre-tour accommodation with us, your airport arrival transfer is included. If you choose alternative pre-tour accommodation or arrive by another mode of transport, you’ll need to arrange your own arrival transfer.
Our arrival transfers are private to Soca Islands and are organised in groups based on flight times. Sometimes this means a short wait at the airport until other flights arrive.
There are no scheduled activities on the final day, so feel free to book your departure at your own convenience.
We recommend arriving before 3 pm on Day 1 to make it in time for the welcome event. But don’t worry no matter when you land, we’ll have an airport transfer ready for you.
Please Refer to your government’s travel advice or consult your local consulate. Remember, passport and visa requirements can change, so make sure to stay updated.
Excluding alcohol, we suggest budgeting around USD $40.00 per day for extras.
While we’re not medical professionals, we want to help you prepare for a safe and healthy adventure. Here are some tips:
- Consult with a healthcare professional: Schedule an appointment with your travel nurse or doctor at least eight weeks before your adventure to get any necessary vaccines or medications.
- Up-to-date medical advice:
- US residents: Check the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website.
- UK residents: Visit the NHS Fit For Travel website.
- Australian residents: Refer to the Smart Traveler Health website.
3. Government travel advice:
- US residents: Consult the US Department of State Travel Advice.
- UK residents: Check the FCDO Travel Advice.
- Australian residents: Visit the Smart Traveler website.
4. Medication tips: If you take prescription medication, bring enough to last the entire trip, plus a few extra days in case of delays. Carry a copy of your prescription in case you need to visit a clinic abroad.
We hope this helps you prepare for a safe and enjoyable adventure.
Please keep in mind that our itinerary, activities, and hotels might change. These adjustments could happen with little notice due to factors like availability, weather conditions, seasonal shifts, or other circumstances beyond our control. Rest assured, we always aim to minimise any impact on your experience. Occasionally, we may tweak the itinerary to try out fresh ideas and keep the adventure exciting.
We believe solo travelers shouldn’t have to pay extra to explore the world. That’s why our group trips are designed around shared accommodation and do not include a single supplement. Solo travelers joining our group trips are paired in twin or multi-share rooms with another traveler of the same sex for the duration of the trip.
Some of our Independent trips are structured differently. For these itineraries, solo travelers will need to book at the single occupancy rate.
Tips are not included in the cost of this tour. Remember, tipping is entirely at your discretion and based on what you feel comfortable with.
Would you like to learn more or customise our Barbados Historical Rum Tour trip?
Have questions about accommodations, accessibility, group preferences, or dietary needs? Complete the form below and our team will get back to you shortly.
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