Archive for month: February, 2017

This February half term I took my youngest daughter, Charlotte and husband John off to Tobago to test out the new direct Thomas Cook flight from Manchester and to see what this lovely green and picturesque island has to offer.

On arrival in Tobago, the first thing we noticed was how green it was. Our taxi was there to meet us and during the 20 minute journey to The Blue Haven Hotel we took in the scenery and noticed how colourful and well kept the houses are.

The Blue Haven Hotel was once one of the top hotels on Tobago and was visited by the likes of Robert Mitchum and Rita Hayworth. It has a stunning position on the bluff, overlooking the ocean on three sides. We were greeted with a very welcome rum punch!

As we arrived on a Sunday, we decided to go straight out and take a taxi to ‘Sunday School’. Nothing to do with Church! This is something that happens every Sunday evening where tourists and locals alike come out to enjoy food, drink, steel bands and other music until the early hours – we didn’t last that long as had been up about 22 hours by that point!

On our second day John & Charlotte were dragged out on site inspections. First of all we visited the Tropikist Beach Resort. A nice 3-star hotel aimed at families and couples alike. The manager, Mr McPhee showed me around and explained how they they are in the process of refurbishing rooms as well as building another 80 rooms, a new pool with waterslides, a new restaurant as well as building up the beach and putting breakers in the sea to make it more suitable for swimming. This is definitely a hotel to watch in the future, particularly for families!

We then went on to the Mount Irvine Hotel and was shown around by the owner. Here they have just about completed their renovations with all the bedrooms having been refurbished, a new reception area and shop and a new spa about to open. Aimed more at the discerning traveller, this is a lovely hotel, with its own golf course and private beach.

 

Finally on to Bacolet Beach Club, a small boutique style property with its own secluded beach.

 

Tobago is definitely an island to get out and about on and on Wednesday we enjoyed an island tour taking in the views over the beautiful bays, the forts and Tobago’s highest waterfall, Argyle Falls. We also enjoyed a guided walk into the rainforest to see the many species of birds, wildlife, flora and fauna. Tobago is definitely an island for birdwatchers!

 

If you are more of a boat person, then I definitely recommend a trip out to Buccoo Reef. We enjoyed a glass bottom boat trip where our guide pointed out and named all the fish and coral. We then had a chance to jump in and do some snorkelling to see the fish at close range. A fantastic experience!

After all the sightseeing and hotel visits, we spent our last few nights at the beautiful Magdalena Grand hotel enjoying relaxing by the pool, swimming, eating and drinking. A great way to end a great week!

All in all we had a wonderful time in Tobago.

If you are fancying a holiday to a small, pretty Caribbean Island with lovely beaches, stunning scenery, great walks, lots of birds, flora and fauna and a very relaxed, laid back feel then Tobago is for you!