TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO

TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO

Trinidad and Tobago, twin slices of heaven on earth. Situated in the Southern area of the Caribbean they are less susceptible to hurricanes which can occur in the summer months. They are separated by a stretch of water which takes approx. 2 hours by ferry or 15 minutes by air. So why not visit both! From the cosmopolitan , bustling towns of Trinidad to the calming , sun kissed beaches of Tobago, you will find something to suit your mood, whether you want to join in or simply lie back and relax.

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Port of Spain is the Capital of Trinidad & Tobago, it has the tall buildings, neon lights and crowded streets of many cities plus a multicultural Caribbean character and a home grown calypso soundtrack.  The city offers cricket and football matches, year round festivals, a botanic garden, malls, an art and history museum and historic buildings. Scarborough is the largest town and the capital of the island of Tobago. It has a population of around 17,000 almost one third of the population of the whole island. The town is dominated by Fort King George which now hosts a historic/archaeological museum. It also has a deep water harbour which was built in 1991 so cruise ships can now dock instead of anchoring off shore. This is where the ferry goes from to link the two islands. Entertainment and night life is very different on the two islands. Trinidad offers a more fast paced entertainment scene, you can enjoy fine dining, live music, theatre and dance performances all around the city.  In Tobago many restaurants, bars and other locations especially in the Crown Point area, offer a variety of live entertainment. Trinidad is best known for it's diverse wildlife and it's high energy carnival in February. But with rainforests, wetlands, waterfalls and remote beaches it is becoming a hot spot for eco-tourism. You can find a wealth of eco-friendly options in lodging and activities that promote sustainability of the natural environment. Most of the eco-friendly lodges are located in the remote northern mountains, far away from the bustling port cities. The beach at Grand Rivierre  is famous for observing nesting leather back turtles, it is a prohibited area and permission is required for turtle watching. Only a limited number of permits are issued each day, so you need to apply early. The main nesting season runs from march to September. Diving is another popular pastime. The waters around Tobago support approx. 300 species of coral, including staghorn, elkhorn, fire coral, giant tube sponges and starlet coral. There is also a broad range of reefs, rock pillars, wrecks and lovely undersea gardens filled with giant sea ferns, whips and plumes. Some of the best sites are at Speyside and Goat Island on the north eastern side of Tobago where you can drift along reefs with sponges the size of bath tubs and bushes of black coral. On the south east coast are the beautiful clear Nylon Pool and Buccoo Reef national Park. Tobago also has two championship 18 hole golf courses with beautiful scenery. The Mount Irvine Golf Course has long fairways lined with coconut trees along with glimpses of the sea. The Tobago Plantation Golf Course combines lakes, trees and beaches a beautiful natural setting. Both clubs rent out equipment and have professional coaches for both beginners and experience players. The steelpan was invented in Trinidad and Tobago, it is widely regarded as the only major musical instrument to be invented in the 20th century. Expect to hear it everywhere you go! Hiking is a popular pastime on both islands. The Trinity Hills or 3 Sisters is situated on south eastern Trinidad. It is part of the Trinity Hills Wildlife Sanctuary and is home to a variety of wildlife, including, capuchin and red howler monkeys, deer, lappe (large rodent)  manicou (like a mongoose) ocelot and pawi (a bird). There is also one of Trinidad's largest mud volcanoes The Lagoon Bouffe, a lake of complete liquid mud 100 metres long. Of course no self respecting Caribbean Island would be without it's water sports! Kite surfing is popular around Tobago's south western Pigeon Point peninsula as it is a very blustery area, it has clear shallow waters encircled by the Buccoo Reef so is popular with kite surfers of all abilities. There are safety conscious instructors and equipment available. Parasailing and sailing are also very popular.  Dive shops are located all over Tobago, the waters around the island cater for all levels of experience.  Look out for the members of Association of Tobago Dive Operators as these are the most safety conscious ones. Snorkelling, stand up paddling, surfing, wake boarding and windsurfing are also available.

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Yerette is one of Trinidad's hidden treasures, if you love Hummingbirds you must visit this house. The Hummingbirds will fly right by you with their little wings beating furiously, a beautiful experience, not really recommended for young children or babies as you really need to sit still for a while. You will need a high speed camera to capture them in flight! Both islands have lovely beaches, the one above is on Trinidad. Tobago is a haven for gorgeous white sandy beaches and azure waters. Great for getting away from our winter months. Sue Todd 01455 213590 Email sue@designertravel.co.uk      

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