Jen

My friend and I are planning a winter getaway in Feb/March to the Caribbean (neither of us have been before). We are looking for great beaches, some nightlife, beatiful scenery, maybe some hiking- on an island that has not completely lost its cultural identity to the tourist industry. We are not interested in all-inclusives, miles of resorts and casinos, etc. <BR> <BR>After doing some preliminary digging, Trinidad & Tobago seem to fit the bill. Am I on the right track here? I was thinking of spending a couple of days in Trinidad to take advantage of the urban distrations, then spending the rest of the week in Tobago for some relaxation. Is this reasonable? Should we skip Trinidad? How difficult/expensive is it to get from one island to the other? What can we expect to pay for a flight from Chicago at that time of year? Any other suggestions? <BR>Thanks in advance for your help-

go

T & T is great! I think you are on the right track there. I would spend a day or two in Port of Spain (trinidad)- very unique cultural experience. <BR>Enjoy!

jen

Anyone else???

jbrooks

I have not been to T&T and have heard mixed, but mainly good things about Tobago. I thought another suggestion may be appreciated? <BR> <BR>Last year, we too wanted to escape the typical caribbean island for something more diverse culturally. We went to Guadeloupe for 9 days and had a great time. It is actually two connected islands, and on the flatter side is where they have the typical caribbean white beaches. On the higher side, they have the beautiful rainforest, mountains and volcanic beaches. So we were able to hike around the rainforest all day and end up back at our hotel sipping diaquris on the beach! <BR> <BR>Americans, and other english speaking visitors, are very few, and we only ran into one american our whole time there. This makes for a very exotic feel. IT is helpful if you know some french! There are a few discos located on the island and I think two casinos. But there are no "vegas high rise" hotels that I saw, so it has a bit more of a laid back feel than cancun or acapulco. <BR> <BR>It was an interesting and enjoyable experience! However, I still enjoy the BVI's the best for a small, less touristy, and much more charming experience in the Caribbean. Night life on these islands consists manily of beach bars and steel drum bands!

pamr

jbrooks - did you happen to notice if there were any surfers in Guadelope? How was the snorkeling. My family & I are looking for islands where we can do both. Thanks! ( ps - surfing alone for the guys is fine, too - I'm happy on a nice, unspoilt beach, but the underwater is a big plus with us!!!)

jbrooks

HI, Pam, <BR> <BR>There were several beaches on basse terre on the north side of the island where we saw surfers. These beaches are not recommended for swimming but we went in and jumped in the waves and had a blast...I would not suggest doing so unless you are a very capable swimmer...the undertow was strong. But, the surfers seemed to be enjoying themselves alot! We don't surf so about all I can tell you is that we did see some around. The north/east side of the island gets a lot of rough atlantic surf...so I imagine surfing would be good. <BR> <BR>Most of the beaches, except for the two main beaches, st. anne and st francais, are really uncrowded... and many times we were the only ones there. Each beach also has its own personality. The beaches on Grande terre look like typical caribbean beaches, but on Basse-terre, we swam at a beach that reminded me of being in Tahiti with the dark, volcanic sand and rain forest rising in the back ground. The beach where we saw the surfers was a pretty bright golden sand with almost pink hues in it and we enjoyed this beach alot, too. <BR> <BR>As far as snorkeling goes, we were there right after hurricane lenny stormed through the islands, so the water was cloudy, and the place best known for snorkeling there, pigeon island, was inaccessible. I would imagine that this would have excellent snorkeling, as Jacque Cousteau owned or stayed on pigeon island for quite a while in his career... but I have no first hand experience. We did some good snorkeling off of the island of terre-de-haute (about 45 minute ferry ride from the main island). <BR> <BR>I hope that answers your questions! Overall, Guadeloupe does not cater to their tourists like some of the islands do, but it makes for a very interesting experience. It really does seem like france on a tropical island...with a lot of caribbean flair! I would recommend splitting your time and staying in the rain forest for a few days, and then moving to Grande terre for the white beaches to relax...this is what I would do the next time!

pamr

jbrooks - thank-you so much for your help & advise- Guadelope sounds like it is worth checking out!

Ronnie

Jen, <BR>Have been to Trinidad but not Tobago as yet. In February Trinidad boasts the 'Greatest Show on Earth',their carnival. It ends on Ash Wednesday similar to Mardi Gras. It's a fun time. Trinidad is huge with plenty to see. When I have gone in the past, some of the airlines give you free passage to Tobago after your stay in Trinidad, a way for them to show Tobago off as it is their tourist attraction. The pretty beaches are there and I am sure you find find a place that suits your needs. <BR> <BR>I would venture to the carnival and then on Wednesday go to Tobago for the rest of your trip! <BR>Ronnie

jen

Thanks for the replies! <BR>Ronnie: I've considered trying to hit Trinidad for Carnival- are the main festivities in Port of Spain? Am I dreaming to think I can get a hotel room during that time? Can I stay in an outlying area (maybe by a beach??) and rely on taxis to get into town, or is taxi service to sketchy for that? <BR> <BR>jbrooks:Guadelupe sounds great too- however we know virtually no French- would this be a problem?

Ronnie

I think that you should have no problem at this time finding a place to stay. There are large hotels as well as small inns. The main carnival does take place in POS, however some of the other towns do have one also. <BR> <BR>Taxi's are not difficult to find. They have two types. The 'route taxi' which is usually a van and travels a certain route like a bus. (They have those too!)Traveling in one of those would sure give you a direct line to their culture! The route taxi that is. The regular taxis are the best bet and are all over the place. <BR>They have a hotel, was The Hilton when I was there last, that has the lobby on the top and the rooms below on a hill overlooking POS! I think there is also a Holiday Inn. They must have some websites available for you to check. <BR> <BR>See to it that you go to the Country Club for their fetes(parties)They love visitors at these things.(Just show them proof of being from away as it's for members only and visitors or foreigners as they refer to us!) Also to Mocha, the golf course, another good fete. If you get a ticket to that then you know you have made it! <BR> <BR>Then go and relax in Tobago! <BR>Ronnie

nancy

Jen, <BR>I loved Tobago! <BR>My first time there was in 1975, my boyfriend ,two othere friends and I stayed at the Irving Bay Hotel (I think that was the name, it is a British hotel) <BR>The next time I went there was in 1985 (with the person I ended up being married to, it is now 15 yrs.) <BR>That time I was there for a month.It was in Februaury. <BR>It did rain almost daily, but only for a very short time toward late afternoon. <BR>Otherwise the weather was just beautiful!! <BR>We stayed in a private home outside the village of Charlottesville, which is on the far side of the island. <BR>At that time Tobago was very unspoiled and not too touristy. <BR>BUT they were completing an International Airport that yr. so I am assuming it has changed since then. <BR>You will **definately** get great beaches,scenary and good hiking (watch out for coral snakes!) <BR>There is a great bird sanctuary on the island. <BR>not sure about nightlife. <BR>There was none to be found at our end of the island. <BR>We found the people to be generally friendly. <BR>I would go back there again if I ever went back to the Carribean. <BR>As far as airfare, <BR>we found tobago more expensive than the closer islands. <BR>Afterall, you are right off the coast of Venezuala! <BR>It can't be too difficult to get from Trinidad to Tobago, alot of islanders go back and forth. <BR>Another pretty island was St. Vincent. <BR>We stayed there for two weeks. <BR>I thought it was quite lovely. <BR>Hope you have a blast where ever you go. <BR>nancy

jbrooks

In regard to knowing french in Guadeloupe. I was glad I knew some, but I think we could have made it around with out any knowledge. We were with my sister and her fiance, and they went off by themselves a few times, not knowing any french, and got around fine. It depends on your level of adventure, some people hate not knowing the language, others think it adds a bit of adventure to the trip. A lot of Guadeloupans know some english, and will at major hotels, but they are very shy about using it and you will want to learn a few key phrases before hand (like where is the bathroom, how much, thanks, etc.) Renting a car is easy as the roads are well paved and well marked. And, smile A LOT!

Colin

Hi Jen, <BR>I would not have posted this except for one thing - in one of the replies to you some one mentioned "watch out for coral snakes" <BR> <BR>LET ME ASSURE YOU THAT TOBAGO DOES NOT HAVE ANY POISONOUS SNAKES!! <BR> <BR>And incidentally I am Trinidadian and live in Tobago. <BR> <BR>You'd love this island and its friendly people - but if you want to see a more multi cultural crowd spend some time in Trinidad and surely Carnival but don't miss Tobago's tranquility and stunning beauty

Anon

Back up here...the poor person wants to know about T&T and jbrooks makes a post saying I've never been there but let me tell you about Guadaloupe...duh...if they wanted to know about Guadaloupe, they would have asked. Just onother instance of having to get your name on the board.(BTW...I think Guadaloupe sucks.)

Jen

Anon- <BR>While I appreciate the support, I must point out that in my original post I did in fact ask for other suggestions. <BR> <BR>Thanks for all of the comments thus far! <BR> <BR>Jen

Vic

This will be short version. Typed 15 min msg and was dropped by compuserve before finishing. Tobago is where to spend your time for leisure and beaches. Port of Spain is very commercial. Caroni bird sanctuary is worthwhile to see sea bird flocks returning to roost at dusk.. Solymar restaurant and top of former holiday inn ( rotates) are good in POS. Best restaurant in Tobago is Amadeus by far. Best food I've had on T&T in 12 trips. Very reasonable prices and desserts are featured too. Amadeus on Plymouth road past rex hotel. New Hilton resort opening this Dec. Shuttle to Tobago about US$60 round trip. Use BWIA over Air Caribean.