ROMANCE FOR TWO: CELEBRATE LOVE & DEVOTION ON THE DUAL ISLAND NATION OF TRINIDAD & TOBAGO
Lovers who want to tie the knot surrounded by palm tree lined white sand beaches, crystal blue Caribbean waters and the warm sun, need look no further than Trinidad & Tobago. The two islands offer that something special for just about any type of couple. Trinidad, the more vibrant of the two, boasts sensual nightlife, a delicious world of restaurants and cuisines, echo-adventure and an eclectic mix of music and culture. Tobago features beautiful tranquil beaches, echo-adventure, diving/snorkeling, romantic restaurants, and private villas and luxury resorts.
Many of Trinidad & Tobago’s hotels specialize in wedding packages and the island’s event planners can help with arrangements or plan your wedding from beginning to end. From the historical Ole Time Tobago wedding procession to traditional nuptials or an underwater exchange of vows, the island offers the perfect ambiance for your dream wedding. Trinidad & Tobago is located in the southeastern region of the Caribbean. With their careful approach to tourism, Trinidad & Tobago offers one of the last absolutely unspoiled Caribbean destinations. Trinidad is home to the world famous Carnival, the birth of the steel pan drum, and Nobel Prize winning author, V.S. Naipaul. Tobago, sister island to Trinidad, is the quintessential Caribbean island with secluded beaches, quaint villages, charming hotels and private villas. Why Visit Trinidad: Adventure There is an adventure for every day of the week, from hiking through rain forests on the trail of hidden waterfalls and exploring deep caves, to cycling through verdant countryside, turtle watching and kayaking past wildlife filled forests. Biodiversity For eco enthusiasts, Trinidad has more than 450 bird species, 108 types of mammals, 55 reptiles, 25 amphibians and 620 types of butterflies; ranking the island as one of the richest outposts of biodiversity in the Caribbean. It's South America in a Caribbean Island. Bird Watching Trinidad is home to some of the most diverse and spectacular bird life in the Caribbean. This variety can be attributed to the island's location on the tip of South America. Home to the Asa Wright Nature Centre, a world renowned centre for bird watching, Trinidad's size and accessibility to popular sites, ensures many species can be seen without long drives or treks.
Carnival Many countries in the world boast of Carnival celebrations, but none quite so stunning and all embracing as Trinidad's national festival. Whether you decide to be a spectator on the sidelines, douse yourself in chocolate and join the J'Ouvert revelry or don a fabulous costume and dance the day away, our Carnival is an unforgettable experience.
Culture The diversity of our people is also reflected in the islands' numerous festivals. Each individual culture is celebrated by the collective peoples that inhabit these islands. In Trinidad and Tobago, we celebrate the Hindu festival of Divali, the Muslim festival of Eid-ul-Fitr and numerous Christian festivals, including Christmas.
Fishing With an abundance of game fish, Trinidad is a sport angler's dream. Fed by the rich outflow of the Orinoco River, Trinidad's waters attract big game fish. Species such as Tarpon, Tuna and Shark are plentiful year round with Sailfish, Marlin, Wahoo and Dolphin making seasonal appearances. Trinidad also plays host to several exciting international fishing tournaments, including the Kingfish Tournament in June, Tarpon Bash in August and Wahoo Tournament in early March.
Shopping Bargains abound in Trinidad. You can shop just about anywhere on the island, from towns boasting hundreds of small variety shops and family-run businesses to large multi-level shopping malls. Trinidad's capital, Port of Spain, is also known for its fabric merchants and their vast inventory of textiles for all occasions. Restaurant and Bar Hopping Our reputation for sumptuous, mouth-watering culinary fare is a legacy of Trinidad's cultural and ethnic diversity. The flavours of the India, Africa, China, Syria and Europe have combined to create a distinct taste that is all our own. Restaurants and bars, from white linen service to street stalls, are found in every corner of Trinidad and food festivals are growing in popularity.
Steelpan The steelpan is Trinidad and Tobago's national instrument. During the Carnival season, music lovers crowd the "yards" of their favorite bands as they practice in preparation for Panorama, the annual competition for steel pan bands. These sessions are free, open to the public, and can stretch into the wee hours of the morning. Outside of the Carnival season, music lovers can look forward to the Laventille Steelband Festival, a street parade, and Pan Yard Sensations, a series of steelpan concerts hosted by the Tourism Development Company Limited.
Why Visit Tobago:
Adventure Trinidad offers a range of adventure and activities with rainforest hiking trails, limestone caves, hidden waterfalls, bird watching and turtle watching, cycling through verdant countryside or kayaking past wildlife filled mangrove forests. In Tobago the options for adventure are also abundant, from cycling, bird watching and kayaking, to goat and crab racing. Explore the green depths of Tobago's Rainforest Reserve, the oldest of its kind in the Western Hemisphere or drift dive with Manta Rays and Sharks.
A premiere ecotourism destination Tobago has won several prestigious eco awards including the World Travel Awards "Best Eco Destination in the World" and the Caribbean Travel Awards Committee "#1 Eco-Destination in the Caribbean".
Bird watching Tobago has over 200 bird species on just 116 square miles of land. The island has several great vantage points for bird watching including the Grafton Caledonia Wildlife Sanctuary, the Main Ridge Forest Reserve and Little Tobago Island, a small offshore island located just off the village of Speyside.
Biodiversity Tobago is home to over 6000 species of plants and animals, including one of the highest densities of bird species in the world, on just 116 square miles of land. Carnival in September or Tobago Fest A recent addition to Tobago's social calendar, Tobago Fest is a Carnival style celebration featuring many of the elements of the Trinidad and Tobago's world famous Carnival.
Dive Tobago is surrounded by rich and colorful reefs with 300 species of South Atlantic coral and more than 600 species of fish. The island is also internationally recognized for its drift dives. Tobago is also home to the Nylon Pool, a warm shallow area in the middle of the Buccoo Reef.
Villas Tobago boasts a great variety of luxury rental villas to suit every taste and budget. From traditional Caribbean gingerbread homes with delicate fretwork, to new properties built to provide every comfort and luxury, Tobago's holiday rental villas are available on every point of the island.
Golf Tobago's two championship 18 hole golf courses are scenic beauties that can captivate with their views while challenging your golfing ability. The Mount Irvine Golf Course has long fairways lined with coconut trees and provides glimpses of an azure sea. The Tobago Plantations Golf Course combines lakes, trees and beaches to provide golf in a setting of tranquil natural beauty. Both clubs rent equipment and offer professional coaching. Fascinating Culture Tobago's rich culture is as diverse as the many countries that fought to control the island. The heritage of the enslaved Africans has also heavily influenced the island's culture. Many of the folktales, superstitions, art, music and traditional dances reflect the island's European and African roots. These are celebrated annually during the Tobago Heritage Festival, which runs from early July to August. Fishing, the mainstay of many of the island's inhabitants, is celebrated with parties, sports and other events on St Peter's Day.
Goat and crab racing The village of Buccoo, Tobago, can be described as the goat and crab racing capital of the world. During the Easter holidays this little village draws crowds of curious onlookers as specially trained goats sprint towards the finish line followed by jockeys clutching long ropes. In the crab race, jockeys have no easier task as they attempt to prod the stubborn crustaceans towards the finish line. But there is no glory for the winning crabs, just a place in a pot of spicy curry sauce.
Rich History Fought over by the Spanish, British, Dutch, Courlanders, French and even the Americans, Tobago boasts a rich and varied history. The various forts and historical sites that dot the island are testament to the island's former colonial masters and diverse history.
The oldest protected rainforest in the Western Hemisphere Protected by law since 1776, Tobago's Main Ridge Forest Reserve is spread over the island's mountainous spine. Nature trails will allow you to explore the forest's diverse flora and fauna.
Unspoiled and secluded beaches Tobago has many beautiful beaches; some are very secluded others are equipped with life guards, concessionaires and modern facilities. Some beaches boast white sands, shallow bays and calm blue waters, others have shallow reefs for snorkelling and some are more exposed to ocean swells.
Marriage Requirements The amended Marriage Act of 1996 makes it possible for non-resident couples to get married in as little as three days with a Special Marriage License. To acquire a special license you must meet the following requirements.
Both parties must be non-residents of Trinidad and Tobago.
They must reside in this country three days before getting married.
If divorced, the original or notarized copy of decree absolute must be presented.
If widowed, please bring the original death certificate.
Proof of name change where name differs of documents.
Persons under the age of 18 must have documented consent from a parent or legal guardian.
Documents in languages other than English must be accompanied by certified English translations.
The licence costs US$55 (TT$337.50) and the fee must be paid in cash at the Inland Revenue Department, Scarborough. Find out more at The Tobago House of Assembly’s Department of Tourism (http://www.visittobago.gov.tt)
