Carnival 2009!

One of our favourite destinations in the Caribbean is Tobago – one of the two islands that compose the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago.  Trinidad is the larger and more populous island, while Tobago is much smaller, comprising only about 6% of the total area and 4% of the population….

Tobago is often called “The Jewel of the Caribbean” and the contrast between it and Trinidad is fairly stark. Trinidad is bustling and has a burgeoning economy based on petrochemicals and natural gas.  In fact, Trinidad and Tobago is one of most prosperous and stable democracies in the entire Caribbean.  Tobago is certainly the more tranquil, more unspoilt location, with glorious beaches and relatively few tourists enjoying fantastic scenery and exotic wildlife.

Every February though, you can combine the tranquillity of a Tobago holiday with the explosion of joy and riotous fun that is Carnival.  Most of the main events take place in Port of Spain, capital of Trinidad, but Tobago joins in the spirit.  A trip to the main island for Carnival could inject some real contrast in your holiday.  Always celebrated two days before Ash Wednesday, Carnival in Trinidad and Tobago is the event of the year. The heart of the celebration is Soca music and seemingly unending parades.  There are dozens of band competitions and events leading up to J’Ouvert (the opening) of Carnival on February 23rd and from then on it’s non-stop partying!

If such unrestrained hedonism is not your thing, you can still enjoy the relative calm of Tobago, but February is a great time to “mix and match” relaxation with one of the greatest shows on earth.  Other countries claim Carnival, but for many who have visited the original in Trinidad and Tobago, there is nothing quite like it in the world!

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