Long believed to be the inspiration for Defoe’s Robinson Crusoe,Tobago is an unspoilt island of contrasts and a great holiday choice if you wish to experience the real Caribbean at first hand. Despite being an island that is geared up for tourism, it remains remarkably unspoilt. Tobago is an island of magnificent natural beauty - golden beaches, impressive coral reefs, lush rainforests and green hills. The island was formerly a part of the South American continent, which explains why the diversity of flora and fauna is quite disproportionate to its size of just 26 by 7 miles.
Explore long deserted beaches where pelicans wheel and plunge, and the more popular ones, like Pigeon Point and Store Bay, both protected by the Buccoo Reef. Drive along the dramatic north coast of the island through sleepy villages like Moriah and Parlatuvier, and past magnificent bays with names like Englishman's, Bloody and Pirate that are so redolent with history, to Charlotteville and Speyside. Visit the Main Forest Ridge, the oldest forest reserve in the Western Hemisphere (1776) and view a rich variety of wildlife: the Ridge is home to several species of butterflies, the agouti, armadillo, opossum and iguana, to name but a few, whilst also being a magnificent environment for bird-watching. The island is home to over 200 species of bird, and the offshore islands of Little Tobago, Goat and St Giles are important seabird sanctuaries.
Whilst there are strong ties with England, best demonstrated in names like Plymouth, Goodwood, the capital Scarborough and Forts King George and King James,Tobago is a mix of cultures, and recent years have seen a number of new quality restaurants opening, featuring cuisines as diverse as Italian, French, Chinese, Indian and local Creole. The pace of life is relaxed; why rush when there is so much natural beauty to be enjoyed?