Selling Travel September 19

exploring... 67
Tobago
For those clients seeking to immerse themselves in nature while enjoying the typical
attractions of the Caribbean, Tobago is up there with the best, says Alan Orbell
Few parts of the world conjure up
images of pure hedonism like the
Caribbean, but for those for whom the
purity of nature is of equal importance,
Tobago is a great option.
Just off the coast of South America
Trinidad & Tobago has a combined area of
a little over 5000 sq km, of which Tobago
takes up just 300 sq km., some of it
pristine rainforest.
Together with stunning unspoilt
Caribbean beaches it is the Tobago Forest
Reserve – the oldest (since 1776) protected
rainforest in the western hemisphere –
that is a major draw for many.
Birdlife
It is here that visitors will see some of the
180-plus species of birds that call Tobago
home. The main point of access to the
rainforest is the Gilpin Trace and a couple
of hours’ stroll along this track (though a
three- to four-hour walk will take you all
the way to Bloody Bay) will reveal richlycoloured
hummingbirds, kingfishers,
woodpeckers and parrots.
It’s quite possible to walk the trail alone,
but a qualified guide is to be strongly
recommended. Without one visitors will
certainly miss much of the flora and fauna,
none of which, incidentally, is venomous.
The sounds of the rainforest offer nothing
but the rustle of the breeze, occasional
cicadas and non-stop birdsong.
A visit to the rainforest should be
recommended as a ‘must’ for anyone.
Hidden bays
Tobago is littered with hidden bays on
both its Atlantic and Caribbean (leeward)
coasts. On the leeward side, stunning
sandy beaches at places further up the
BOOK IT WITH... CARIBTOURS
Seven nights at Coco Reef Resort and Spa is
from £1,299pp, B&B. The resort has a private
lagoon and white sand beach, surrounded by
ten acres of tropical gardens. Alternatively,
seven nights room-only at the island's most
luxurious resort, The Villas at Stonehaven, is
from £1,559. caribtours.co.uk; 020 3627 1777
ARGYLE WATERFALL
coast like Castara, Englishman’s Bay,
Parlatuvier and Bloody Bay remain largely
unspoiled with little but the odd café/bar
and souvenir shop.
For those who prefer a more commercial
offering, Pigeon Point is the place.
There’s a small TT$20 charge to get in but
it comes with sunbed/parasol hire options,
lifeguards and plenty of places to eat
and drink. The thatched jetty is probably
Tobago’s most photographed scene.
From here there are glass-bottom boat
cruises plus the full range of watersports
from snorkeling and diving to windsurfing
and boating. All told, Tobago has some 60
diving sites.
Tobago icons
The main attractions in Tobago’s biggest
town, Scarborough, are the small botanic
garden and the 1777-built Fort King
George complex, which has played a
central part in the 30-plus times Tobago
has changed hands.
The clifftop Heritage Park includes two
PIGEON POINT
BATTEAUX BAY
museums with the Tobago Icons Museum
housing artifacts dating back to 2500 BC.
Other attractions include the Argyle
Waterfall and, for visitors staying in
the last two months of July, the biggest
of the annual cultural events, the
Tobago Heritage Festival. This is when
Tobagonians display their culture and reenact
historical events.
It’s easy to hire a car in Tobago and there
are also plenty of taxis willing to take
clients on a private tour. Organised tours
are also plentiful.
But however your clients see the island
it’s well worth suggesting they spend some
time away from the hotel pool.
Where to stay
A good base, combining the indulgences
of an all-inclusive resort with easy access
to Tobago’s natural attractions, is the
Magdalena Grand Beach & Golf Resort.
For golfers it also offers a PGA-designed
18-hole golf course. Rates, including flights,
are from around £1,799pp.
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