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Last Updated: Sep 14th, 2008 - 22:35:57 |
If you are looking for a Caribbean destination with a difference, then Trinidad and Tobago is the place for you.
Far from conforming to the laid-back Caribbean stereotype, Trinidad is a bustling regional business and cultural centre that grew prosperous in the second half of the 20th century through oil, petrochemicals and finance.
The capital, Port of Spain, is renowned as one of the Caribbean's most cosmopolitan and busy cities, where skyscrapers sit alongside traditional colonial-era architecture.
It features some of the region's best shopping, although the traditional centre around Frederick Street has begun to suffer recently at the hands of 'out of town' malls.
Other attractions in the capital include a variety of upscale restaurants, and art galleries and museums, notably the National Museum.
But Trinidad is not all hustle and bustle. Away from the main cities - and let's keep it in perspective: Port of Spain's population is under 100,000 - Trinidad's mountainous interior is swathed with thick forest,
offering incredible rainforest experiences to hikers.
The north coast of the island is home to the sort of beaches the Caribbean is famous for: sandy, secluded and peaceful.
The east coast, meanwhile, is formed by a chain of protected wetlands and palm-fronted beaches, known as 'the Cocal'. The Navira and Caronim swamps are particularly worth a visit.
With all this on an island where nothing is more than 50 miles away, Trinidad certainly spoils the visitor for choice.
But it is just one half of the equation. Trinidad's smaller
sister-island, Tobago, has a completely different feel and environment.
Situated to the north east of Trinidad, sleepy Tobago is home to the oldest, unspoiled rainforest in the Caribbean -and as a result, it is growing in popularity with ecotourists.
The rainforests of the centre and north - and on the small island of Little Tobago - are protected, as the Tobago Forest Reserve (or the Main Ridge Reserve), and are home to incredible birdlife, as well as frogs, mammals and snakes. Trinidad and Tobago is home to no fewer than 618
different species of butterfly alone!
Tobago's rainforest is some of the easiest to visit in the world, served as it is by knowledgeable, English-speaking, government-appointed guides.
The south west of the island features tranquil beaches and luxurious hotels, and is also a popular spot for divers, who are attracted by the coral reefs - something absent entirely from Trinidad's coast, due to the high salinity caused by its proximity to the mouth of the Orinoco
river.
But what makes Trinidad and Tobago such a unique destination is the liveliness of the culture.
The country's most famous event is the annual Pre-Lenten festival, which officially takes place on the two days immediately prior to Ash Wednesday - but which builds up from Christmas - rivals Rio and New Orleans for its raucous celebrations.
Thousands of 'Trinis' and visitors take to the streets to dance, revel and listen to a wide variety of music from hundreds of live bands during Mas. Steel pans feature prominently, as is fitting of the land that gave
them to the world.
And while no visit to Trinidad and Tobago would be complete without a visit to a cricket match, travellers should not miss out on the local football talent.
Trinidad and Tobago qualified for the 2006 World Cup after a November play-off against Bahrain, for the first time in their history.
And they have been drawn in England's group - meaning that it will be Mas on the streets of Nuremburg in June!
Call Global Holidays on 0870 1999038 for details of our holidays to Tinidad and Tobago.
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Book online 24 hours a day or contact our telephone helpline on:
0870 1999 038
Mon - Fri 08.30 - 22.00
Saturday 09.00 - 22.00
Sunday 10.00 - 22.00
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