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the bucket list
The vibrant colours of carnival in port of Spain, Trinidad
rainbow of colours. Many are designated world heritage sites by UNESCO and houses typical Dutch shops. The city is also home to the Mikve Israel Synagogue, dating from 1674 and the oldest synagogue in the Americas.
Rainforest march: Martinique
The rainforested mountains of this French territory provide rich rewards for hikers on a network of trails that carve across steep slopes, cutting through lush forests and following rivers which offer the chance to cool off under waterfalls. One of the longest trails is a coastal route showcasing the Atlantic coast and superb sea views.
Desert trekking: Aruba
The Arikok National Park, accounting for nearly 20% of this Dutch territory’s landmass, couldn’t be further from the lush jungle normally associated with the Caribbean. Instead, it is a melting pot of Amerindian remains, abandoned gold mines and disused farms, surrounded by desert scrubland dotted with tall cacti, a rugged coastline and views to Venezuela from Aruba’s highest point.
Carnival revelries: Trinidad
The annual explosion of revelry that is the Trinidad Carnival is legendary and known
as the Mother of all Carnivals. Costumed dancers, bedecked with exotic headdresses of sequins, beads and feathers, dance along the streets of Port of Spain, following trucks booming out pounding beats that compete with the distinctive rhythm of steel pan bands.
Swim with wild turtles: St Vincent & the GRENADINES Stretching in an arc downwards from St Vincent to Grenada, the Grenadines have long proved irresistible for romantics and escapists. The protected waters around the islets of the Tobago Cays are rich in marine life, making them ideal for snorkellers who can swim with the numerous green sea turtles that gather here.
the revolutionary spirit: Cuba
Large cactus in the desert of Santa Cruz, Aruba
Tropical palm grove of Martinique Island
There’s nowhere quite like Cuba – the home of rum and revolution, cigars and salsa music, and iconic figures, Fidel Castro and Che Guevara. Its well-worn capital Havana is a mesmerising blend of old and new, where the narrow cobbled streets and grandiose piazzas of Old Havana represent the city’s Spanish colonial legacy at its best. •
caribbean.co.uk
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