the great outdoors
23
call of
NATURE For those looking to enjoy a holiday where they put space between themselves and other visitors, the options are limitless in the Caribbean, says Tamara Hinson
F
inding that natural getaway for some private time and solitude is easy in the Caribbean, where social distancing was often the norm before the phrase was coined. Whether it’s in a destination ringed with sugary-white deserted beaches, a gentle walk through a rainforest or in a national park in the shadow of a summitable volcano, the Caribbean has space and fresh air aplenty. Strolling on a beach in Saint Lucia, with its two towering pitons as a backdrop, is an instant stress-buster, as is joining one of several trails in Antigua that start out from Nelson’s Dockyard National Park or Shirley Heights and reward walkers with views of the island and the Caribbean Sea. Immerse yourself in nature in the scenically wondrous and lush Dominica, an adventurelovers’ playground with its nine active volcanoes, 365 rivers and a tangle of hiking trails. These include the Waitukubuli National Trail, the Caribbean’s first long-distance walking route. Montserrat has 11 chracterful hiking trails, with classifications ranging from light to extreme. Popular is the trail which leads to the island’s important petroglyphs, discovered as recently as 2016. Archaeologists believe the carvings date back over 1,500 years and were created by the destination’s first settlers, the Amerindians. Travellers heading to the Cayman Islands will find numerous opportunities to learn about the region’s flora and fauna. Start with a hike along one of the trails which twist through Grand Cayman’s Mastic Reserve.
A waterfall and pool to call your own in Tobago
A Bioluminescent Bay tour in Fajardo, Puerto Rico
Space aplenty in the British Virgin Islands
caribbean.co.uk
Outdoors v23.indd 23
9/3/21 12:59 PM
