There are many reasons why a trip to Barbados in March is worth breaking open the piggy bank to fund. James Buttler, your online cricket correspondent, has followed Yorkshire CCC’s fortunes on the pre-season tours to the Caribbean in 2010 and 2011 and will be travelling back to sunny climes again in 2012 to send back news, views and match reports to Members and supporters.

Here James gives us his Top 10 reasons why a trip to Barbados would set your 2012 season off in fine style... 

Especially Barbados (in conjunction with Visit Barbados, Barbados Tourism Development Corporation and Virgin Atlantic) have put together a fantastic tour package for those Yorkshire fans who fancy some pre-season sun.

Martyn Moxon's troops will play Nottinghamshire, Warwickshire, Derbyshire and Hampshire in a variety of formats during their 2-week stay on the island. Tours are available for the entire duration of the team's stay, 10 nights or 7 nights.....I guess it really depends on how quickly you envisage developing a sickening tan!

For more information either download the pdf entitled '2012 Pre-season Tour to Barbados' from the right hand side of this page under 'Related Content' or visit the Especially Barbados website.

All we ask is that anyone who travels to sunnier climes sends us back a postcard!

TOP TEN REASONS TO FOLLOW THE TEAM TO BARBADOS

This is not an exhaustive list by any means, and not included is the main reason why most people find Barbados a great place to spend a week or two – the sun. Relaxation, sea, beaches and friendly locals combine to provide a fantastic break whether you are lying on a beach, watching the cricket or exploring the many things the island has to offer.

This is my list – why not go and find your own?

10 Hire a car...

...and tour the island - even if just for the day. I did this last year and travelling under your own steam has many benefits, one of which is getting off the beaten tourist track to see the ‘real Barbados’. It may be a small island, just 21 miles long, but you move up the west coast through luxury coastal resorts to the more remote north with dramatic cliff-top views. I drove over the hills in the north and as I crossed the top the view of the east coast (pictured) really did take my breath away. Down the long barely used beaches and stunning countryside that constitute the east of the island you move to the more populated south, past Bridgetown (which is well worth a wander around). Take a map, devote a day and stop off to explore as many times as you can. 

9 Food

Always a winner for me. Whether it’s fine dining, a burger and chips or something more local Barbados offers some tremendous places to fill your stomach after a day at the cricket.

I’d recommend Mullins Restaurant which is situated on beautiful Mullins Bay – perfect for a romantic encounter as the waves hit the shore below. Alternatively, also on the West coast is Groots, more rustic in feel why not feast on a roti and sign your name on the wall alongside previous celebrity diners. I didn’t have the curry, but some reviews suggest that should be avoided.

8 Banks Beer

The island's beer. Get a cold bottle of Banks and watch the sun go down. The brewery, situated next to Banks Cricket Club's ground where Yorkshire played a number of matches in 2011, offers a tour. 

7 Cave Bay

A lovely beach, white sand and quiet. A reef stretches along the shore and protects bathers from the heavier East coast waves. Well worth a visit. 

6 Mount Gay Rum Refinery

You don’t go many places without seeing a reference to rum somewhere. The local rum is known worldwide and a tour of the refinery in Bridgetown is the oldest in the world. Delve into the history, have a sample or two, but reserve for a cloudy day.

5 A catamaran cruise

I spent a most enjoyable afternoon last year travelling up the west coast from Bridgetown, snorkling with turtles and fish and swimming to shore to wander along the famous Sandy Lane beach. A trip is often included in tour packages, but if not I’d recommend the experience anyway. Take a hat though as there’s not much shelter from the baking sun.

4 Crane Beach

My favourite beach on the island. A truly beautiful place on the south-east of the island you can do worse that enjoy a lazy couple of hours lying in the sun and dipping into the Atlantic waves. Once you’ve sunned yourself climb the stairs to the Crane Beach Residential Resort and get a bite to eat at a variety of restaurants and cafes.

Don’t go if you have limited mobility as most places here require a fairly hefty trek up and down steps, but if you’re up to that Crane Beach is well worth a few hours of your holiday.

3 Golf at Sandy Lane

A wonderful golf course which I played with Kevin Sharp back in 2010. It’s not cheap, but if you enjoy your golf, you only live once. After an enjoyable round, assisted by the local knowledge of a friendly caddie, who unfortunately couldn’t work miracles with my putting, you can retire to the Country Club for a drink and light lunch. If memory serves me right I believe Mr Sharp narrowly won a hard fought contest. 

2 Oistons Fish Market

It’s hard to adequately describe this place packed with stalls, fish grillers and music. If I was only permitted to experience one thing in Barbados, other than the cricket, this would be it. With a vibrant, friendly, lively atmosphere and packed with tourists and locals alike on a Friday evening it is a must see. Just ask the price of food before you order it otherwise it might not just be the fish that have been caught out.

1 To support the Yorkshire side

The cricket trips are very well organised and allow supporters to mix sport with sightseeing and relaxation. A number of grounds are used by the county sides for pre-season matches, but the highlight of the fortnight is the twenty20 weekend at Kensington Oval. It’s an international venue with a proud history and modifications that maintain character with comfort. Look at the names of the stands in the ground to appreciate the stars that have played for Barbados and West Indies – there’s no wonder cricket is central to the culture of the island. And that is why a pre-season trip to Barbados is special – the country understands the great game and welcomes the teams and supporters with a generous smile.

I hope to see you out there. Come back with a top ten of your own!

JAMES BUTTLER

For more information either download the pdf entitled '2012 Pre-season Tour to Barbados' from the right hand side of this page under 'Related Content' or visit the Especially Barbados website.