An Eventful year ahead for Trinidad and Tobago

If you’re looking for something beyond sun, sea and sand within the idyllic Caribbean then you’ll be hard pushed to find islands with more to offer than Trinidad and Tobago. The dual-island nation is geared up for hosting great sporting activities and simply bursting at the seams with joi de vivre at their good life.

Blow your own trumpet…

Shake your funky stuff to legendary musicians in Tobago whilst gazing out over world-renowned Turtle Beach at the third annual Plymouth Jazz festival from 27th – 29th April. Headlining this spectacular event is the legendary Sir Elton John with other acts including Heather Headley and Al Green to name but a few. The food’s abundantly diverse and offers an eclectic mix of local and international gourmet fare. So get your jazz hands ready to party!

Our time to Shine…

Cricket, glorious cricket, the sport is something transcendental - a glory of the coming of the gods of fair play, great sportsmanship and brilliant form. Trinidad and Tobago are gearing themselves up and looking forward to a surge in visitor numbers for the 2007 Cricket World Cup, which is touring the Caribbean from 11th March – 28th April. Trinidad’s Queen’s Park Oval, the largest cricket ground in the West Indies will host several games during the tournament. Howzat for a great sporting day out!

Party like you’ve never partied before…

There is no experience on earth to compare with the Trinidad Carnival, the oldest and greatest of them all. It’s the mother of all Carnivals, often imitated, never equalled. Calypso, costumes and glitter take over the streets culminating days of fun in February from 19th – 20th. Join in the festivities or kick back and sip a local beer whilst drinking in the sound of over 100 pannists playing their evocative, hip swivel inducing steel drums.

Feel the wind in your hair…

The Angostura Sailing Week in May (13th – 18th) attracts regional and international sailors to Pigeon Beach in Tobago. Renowned as one of the friendliest regattas on the sailing circuit it draws huge crowds looking for fun both on and off the water. The dazzling sight of hundreds of white sails on the turquoise waters of the Caribbean is the photo opportunity of a lifetime.

Alternative jockey racing…

For over 70 years one of the most bizarre races has taken place on Tobago at Easter time. Living up to their reputation for having a great sense of humour the islanders’ race goats, which are bred and trained especially for this purpose. Visitors are treated to the sight of young Tobagonians desperately trying to keep their steeds in their racing lanes. As with all the island’s sporting and social highlights the event is completed with plenty of food and local delicacies laid on for the spectators.

Tales, myths and legends…

The Tobago Heritage Festival is a two-week cultural event taking place late July and early August which retraces the Tobagonians past looking at their tales, rituals, traditions and customs derived from their Amerindian ancestors. This exciting extravaganza brings the islanders’ past to life through the mediums of dance, music, acting and story telling. A true spectacle for visitors as they witness this intimate recalling of the past.

Swing when you’re winning…

For such a small island Tobago is spoilt with fabulous golf courses set amongst stunning scenery. During February 3rd – 10th the Mount Irvine Bay Hotel and Golf Course will host the Tobago International Golf Pro Am and kick off the season in style. The event is open to men and women with maximum handicaps of 24 and 28 respectively playing for the chance to win £22,500 at one of the finest courses in the Caribbean.

Mine was this big…

The Tobago Game Fishing Tournament in March (15th – 18th) takes place in prime fishing season when marlin, sailfish and other offshore game fish species are plentiful. Tobago’s sparkling waters are teeming with life and have some of the Caribbean's most productive big game fishing grounds. Ranked as one of the top eco destinations it’s no surprise that the tournament puts special emphasis on the conservation of the island's fisheries through its tag and release programme ensuring that there will be great fishing here for many years to come.

Lights, camera, action…

From 9th – 13th May the Pan African Film Festival will be celebrated in Trinidad and Tobago. A relaxed family event this is a celebration through cinema, art and music of the islands descendants from Africa who were amongst the first settlers on these multi cultural islands. Centred around the largest Black film festival in North America each year, PAFF screens films made by or about people of African descent.