Caribbean Inspiration St Vincent & The Grenadines, Tobago and Turks & Caicos

St Vincent & The Grenadines The 32 islands and cays of St. Vincent and The Grenadines (SVG) are an off the beaten path destination, nestled among the south-eastern Windward Islands. Characterised by natural beauty, lush landscapes, sustainable development and a nostalgic Caribbean scene, SVG offers you a diverse experience highlighting Eco-adventures; Sailing & Yachting; Snorkelling & Diving; Romance & Weddings; mouthwatering cuisine; and cultural festivals like Vincy Mas, billed as the hottest carnival in the Caribbean. Take your pick of SVG’s nine inhabited gems – St. Vincent, Young Island, Bequia, Mustique, Canouan, Mayreau, Union Island, Palm Island, Petit St. Vincent and the remarkable Tobago Cays Marine Park, or island hop to discover its many charms. The island of Saint Vincent is home to lush rainforests, cascading waterfalls, and diverse wildlife. Sites like the Vermont Nature Trail and Dark View Falls are popular for eco-tourism and birdwatching. One of the oldest botanical gardens in the Western Hemisphere, the St. Vincent Botanical Gardens offer a peaceful retreat and a chance to see a variety of tropical plants, including the famous breadfruit tree brought by Captain Bligh. The Grenadines are renowned as a world-class sailing destination. The calm, clear waters, consistent trade winds, and numerous anchorages make it a favourite spot for sailors. You can charter a yacht or join a sailing tour to explore the many islands and cays. Parts of the blockbuster movie "Pirates of the Caribbean" were filmed in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, particularly around Wallilabou Bay. Fans of the film can visit some of the original sets and locations used in the movie. While the islands offer a remote and peaceful experience, they are still relatively easy to reach, with flights connecting to major Caribbean hubs like Barbados and Grenada. So talk to me about adding a stay to your next trip.

Tobago 26 miles of unspoilt beaches, extraordinary wildlife and exquisite biodiversity await you on this beguiling island. Tobago is the land of folktales, where vast tropical forest meets mesmerising waterfalls, where rocky canyons and hidden caves teem with barracudas and manta rays, and where secluded beaches come in only one flavour-perfect. The island of Tobago is also home to the oldest protected rainforest in the western hemisphere- the UNESCO Man and the Biosphere listed Main Ridge Forest Reserve. Over a quarter of the Caribbean’s mammals and over 260 birds live in and around this forest, including the White Tailed Sabrewing which is endemic to Tobago. With its multitude of smaller islands like Little Tobago and Goat Island, you can descend to the depths of its coral reefs and experience some first class diving; Kelleston Drain and the world’s largest brain coral, Speyside with its unsurpassed visibility and Atlantic pull, or the Japanese Gardens off Goat Island. Located north of South America and just 21 miles from its sister island of Trinidad, Tobago is an ideal choice for twin island breaks; pairing the tranquillity of Tobago with the vibrancy of Trinidad. Choose Tobago for the nature, but stay for the party! Tobago has a religion that is all its own and it’s called Sunday School- a raucous street party at Buccoo in the south west of the island complete with steel pan orchestra, soca, R&B music and a real party atmosphere one not to be missed.

Turks & Caicos The 40 islands and cays of the Turks & Caicos are where you can relax and unwind on some of the very best beaches in the world, surrounded by some of nature’s most beautiful creations. From the mysterious bat caves, immense blue hole and flamingo filled lagoons of Middle Caicos to the multi-award winning beaches of Providenciales (Provo), the Turks & Caicos offer serenity, seclusion and exquisite beauty. Dive to the protected coral reef of Grand Turk, or watch as the majestic humpback whale glides through its waters. In Providenciales, walk the 12 miles of mesmerising Grace Bay Beach, or let the only footsteps in the sand be yours at Leeward Beach. Then there’s the sleepy island of Salt Cay, the eco-tourism isles of North and Middle Caicos, or the fishing capital of South Caicos. Whether you choose one island, or island-hop around them all, the Turks & Caicos are sure to beguile you.

I hope this gives you a flavour for some of the islands I have visited and next on my list are Aruba and Guyana which are now easily accessible with British Airways flights.