Trinidad and Tobago Carnival, Lesser Antilles

Carnival is the quintessential expression of Creole culture, and Trinidad’s is acknowledged throughout the Caribbean as the mother of all carnivals, with Port of Spain at its heart. Bands and masqueraders begin their preparations a year in advance, and before Christmas things really start to hum. 

The final two-day explosion of color, music, and unbridled excess officially begins at 4 A.M. on Carnival Monday with the Jour Ouvert (Opening Day) parade, and comes to a head on Shrove Tuesday (Mardi Gras), the day before Ash Wednesday, which ushers in the solemn pre-Easter period of Lent. Tens of thousands take to the streets in extravagant and elaborate costumes, with groups as large as 3,000 following DJ trucks blaring out the island’s indigenous calypso music. Introduced to the Caribbean at the end of the 18th century by the Roman Catholic French planters, the celebration shifted from its European emphasis after the emancipation of slaves in 1838, when the largely African urban underclass took to the streets. Raucous rivalries evolved into the heated steel-band competitions of today, in which “pan” bands 100 musicians strong per-form nonstop in a riotous celebration of King Carnival. Each band has a headquarters, or panyard, where rehearsals and preliminary playoffs are worth searching out. To heighten your island experience, visit Veni Mange (“come and eat”), where Allyson Hennesy—the talk-show Julia Child of Trinidad—and her friendly and flamboyant sister, Rosemary Hezekiah, prepare the best lunch on the island, overseeing both the kitchen and a gallery of local art set in a typ-ical Creole home. The offspring of parents who were of English, Venezuelan, African, and Chinese descent, the charming, ebullient sisters will guide you through a quintessentially Trinidadian feast that might start with traditional callaloo-pumpkin soup (which, according

Trinidad & Tobago vacation and Carnival

If you’re seeking an escape from winter weather, there’s no better place for a white sand Caribbean holiday than Trinidad and Tobago, where Christmas is celebrated in traditional fashion and the festive Carnival season officially begins December 26 and continues into February.

The dual-island nation of Trinidad & Tobago is located in the southeastern region of the Caribbean, and is renowned for its distinct blend of culture, eclectic cuisine and an assortment of eco-adventure activities.

Trinidad and Tobago’s holiday celebrations are rooted in a combination of influences from all over the world. British, Spanish and African traditions have blended with Caribbean customs to create a unique atmosphere. In Trinidad, one of the holiday practices left on the island by the Spanish is the door-to-door caroling known as “parang.” Carolers, known locally as paranderos, sing spirited Spanish tunes at festivals and outside homes on Christmas Day. A new generation of parang, known as soca parang, has recently emerged, combining the carols with Trinidad’s native soca music to give the music a contemporary twist.

On the sister island of Tobago, festivities crank up the week before Christmas as groups of musicians stroll from house to house playing the bottle and spoon, cuatro and guitar while singing classic calypso carols. The groups often collect money for churches or charities.

Travelers also can sample dishes and treats traditionally served during the holiday season. Fruitcake and sorrel, a drink made from the hibiscus flower, are yuletide favorites on both islands, while other holiday foods include pastelles (steamed cornmeal pie filled with meat), garlic pork, pigeon peas and baked ham. Libations include ginger beer and ponche crema, an egg and cream-based drink similar to eggnog. Popular on Tobago is a cornmeal pie filled with raisins and pumpkin, while another holiday staple is “heavy bread,” lightly kneaded dough made with coconut milk and traditionally baked in a dirt oven.

Trinidad and Tobago Carnival

The general consensus is that in Trinidad and Tobago there are only two seasons: Carnival, and getting ready for Carnival. The 2013 Carnival season officially begins on December 26 and continues full-speed until festivities culminate on the streets of Port of Spain, February 11-12. Carnival is a time when locals and visitors do what they love–dancing, dressing up in amazing costumes and playing music.

Many popular hotels offer special Carnival rates, but reach capacity early so travelers need to plan in advance. The following hotels welcome Carnival visitors, with all rates are shown in U.S. dollars.

Coblentz Inn Boutique Hotel: Located in the epicenter of the Carnival festivities, each room at the Coblentz Inn Boutique Hotel opens a window onto the islands’ diverse heritage. With rates starting at $1,875 plus tax for five nights based on double occupancy between February 6-13, Coblentz Inn offers 17 rooms, each featuring a private kitchenette and individual style–no two rooms are alike. For more information, visit http://www.coblentzinn.com or call 868/621-0541.

Crowne Plaza: Conveniently located near Queen’s Park Savannah, the Crowne Plaza Trinidad features 243 rooms and two restaurants, including the Caribbean’s only revolving restaurant. Between February 8-13, the hotel is offering nightly Carnival rates of $314 plus tax, based on double occupancy with a minimum stay of three nights. For more information, visit www.cplazatrinidad.com or call 868/625-3366.

Monique’s Guesthouse: Established by Monica and Michael Charbonnè in 1975, Monique’s is a family-owned and operated hotel that offers guests spacious accommodations and warm Caribbean hospitality in a relaxed atmosphere. On minimum bookings of five nights between February 8-12, visitors can take advantage of the hotel’s Carnival special that includes daily breakfast.  Monique’s Carnival rates start at $1,200 plus tax for five nights, based on double occupancy. For more information, visit www.moniquestrinidad.com or call 868/628-3334.

The Chancellor Hotel and Conference Center: Located within comfortable walking distance of Queen’s Park Savannah and the heart of the Carnival celebrations, the Chancellor Hotel and Conference Center offers guests stylishly contemporary rooms with warm local accents. Guests who book a minimum of five nights from February 6-13 receive complimentary breakfast at a nightly rate of $250 inclusive of tax, based on double occupancy. For more information, visit www.thechancellorhotel.com or call 868/263-0883.

Trinidad and Tobago: Cultural capital of the Caribbean

Trinidad is considered the “cultural capital of the Caribbean,” and is home to the world-famous Carnival and birthplace of the steel pan drum. Tobago, sister island to Trinidad, is the quintessential Caribbean island with secluded beaches, quaint villages, private villas and award-winning eco-attractions that include Main Ridge Rainforest, the oldest protected reserve in the western hemisphere. Whether it’s a winter getaway or an escape to Carnival, Trinidad and Tobago are ideal destinations.