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This holiday is suitable for those who want to travel independently and experience a unique trip away from the crowds and because we’re committed to supporting the destination’s communities and economy, the properties, transport and services we use on this tour are all locally owned. We have worked with our excellent team in Trinidad & Tobago for many years and have built long-term relationships with them, thus we are confident that all transfers run smoothly and trusted friends are on hand to offer advice or assistance and make sure your expectations are more than fulfilled while you are visiting. By working in this way your holiday will not only benefit the local communities, it will also benefit you.
We have chosen small, charming, and interesting places to stay and each one is locally owned and managed in a sustainable way with respect for the local environment. For example Pax Guest House, operating since 1916 and truly a jewel of Trinidad's historical tourism. It is nestled in the hills, on the estate of Mt. St. Benedict, the largest Benedictine Monastery in the Caribbean. The guest house, efficiently presided over by owners Gerard and Oda, has a fabulous back yard of 600 plus acres of rainforest and pine plantations laced with well-made walking trails. It has become a magnet for biological researchers, naturalists, bird-watchers and those simply wanting to soak up the atmosphere. This is a very special place with more than 140 bird species, 17 species of mammals, 13 species of reptiles and butterflies and plants in abundance.
In Tobago, you will stay at Kariwak Village, a small haven of tropical calm and quiet set in lovely gardens, yet close to local bars and restaurants. It is the philosophy behind Kariwak that distinguishes it among Tobago hotels, from its long-standing environmentally friendly policies and a restaurant that uses the freshest ingredients available from the markets, the fishermen and the organic salad and herbs from its own garden, to the programme of holistic activities including yoga and tai chi that it offers. Then at the other end of the island we have Blue Waters Inn, which has been owned by the same local family for generations and is tucked away in its own secluded bay amongst 46 acres of lush tropical grounds.
The glass-bottom boats leave for Little Tobago from the beach in front of Blue Waters Inn. On the way they pass over Angel Reef and there will be an opportunity to snorkel. All the local guides and service providers that we employ on the islands are concerned with protecting their environment and you will be instructed not to walk on the reef, not to touch or collect pieces of coral and to avoid disturbing the marine life. Little Tobago itself is a protected bird sanctuary and an important breeding site for many seabirds such as the Red-billed Tropicbirds. You will be guided whilst on the island and expected to follow a code of conduct so as to minimise the environmental impact by not approaching too close to the nesting birds, staying on designated paths and ensuring that litter is not dropped anywhere.
We run our small office, which is an extension of our home, in an energy efficient manner. We recycle everything possible, including ink cartridges and purchase recycled paper.
We choose all the accommodation that we use very carefully, for their location and their operating systems and work very closely with them. We visit every property regularly, to ensure that standards are kept, that they remain sympathetic to the environment, that whatever possible is done to be more energy sufficient and just to keep in touch.
We always recommend that guests eat out in local restaurants, try the street food from vendors and take part in the local culture, thus spreading holiday spending throughout the local community.
We invite every traveller who books a holiday via us to send in a review. Because we don't run the holidays they're completely independent and unedited... remember to read between the lines though, as two people on the same holiday can have different views!
