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AREA GUIDES lESSER ANTIllES PART III BY VICTORIA HEAD Do you have a sister or brother that's really lively? That's Trinidad! Some think of the Caribbean as a laid-back paradise of piña coladas and poolsides. Trinidad challenges that status quo and breaks the mold. Chart your own adven- tures in Trinidad; since it is a multiracial, multicultural society both islands are home to events and festivals all year round. Port of Spain is Trinidad's bustling capital city and is filled with a myriad of art galleries and restaurants. Now there is also a quiet side to Trinidad which offers gorgeous, sandy beaches along the North Coast; the perfect atmosphere for seclusion, rest and recre- ation. The more serene of the siblings, Tobago is home to the oldest protected rainforest in the Western Hemisphere. It really is the last of the unspoiled Caribbean. The South (Windward) Coast is washed by the dark green Atlantic and is lined with vibrant fishing villages, while the North (Leeward) Coast provides Tobago with some of its finest beaches. One of the most interest- ing places to visit in Trinidad and Tobago is the La Brea Pitch Lake. Located approximately 90 minutes from Port-of- Spain, the Pitch Lake in Trinidad is the largest of three natural asphalt lakes in the world. Trinidad and Tobago provides many types of accommodations to suit every traveler, no matter what the budget. Most of these facilities provide some meeting space for the business minded. The main airport is Piarco International Airport in Trinidad. Known as "The Spice of the Caribbean," Grenada entices with the sweet scents of nutmeg, cinnamon, gin- ger and vanilla, which waft on the breeze. There are more spices in Grenada per square mile than anywhere else on the planet. Grenada's capital, St. George's, is known as the most picturesque city in the Caribbean. Rich in English, French and West Indian history, St. George's is filled with beautiful well-preserved examples of French and British Colonial architecture. This small nation consists of three islands: Grenada, Carriacou (pro- nounced Carry-a KOO), and Petite Martinique (pronounced Pitty Mar-ti- NEEK). Grenada is by far the largest of the three islands. Spice Island Beach Resort in Grenada is a favorite for business travel- ers and is known for designing meetings for Caribbean-Bound Groups and Executive Retreats. The 64-room Spice Island Beach Resort offers an ideal meetings venue and is an elegant hide- away with an unmatched level of accom- modations. In the US, American Airlines services Grenada with direct flights from Miami and connections via San Juan and Puerto Rico to Grenada's Maurice Bishop International Airport. Air Jamaica serv- ices Grenada with direct flights from New York. Curaçao is the largest and most popu- lous of the three so called ABC islands (Aruba, Bonaire, and Curaçao). It can be said that Willemstad, the capital of Curaçao and the Netherlands Antilles, is one of the richest cities in the world in terms of culture and diversity. Its her- itage is both European and African – representing more than 50 nationalities. Although the island is a mix of cultures, African descendents make up the major- ity. You will hear Dutch, Spanish, and English being spoken – as well as a local language, Papiamentu, a colorful Creole dialect. Willemstad provides visitors with duty-free shopping and almost all of the stores are located within an eight-block radius and most of the downtown area is closed off to automobiles. Curaçao also C A R I B B E A N R E G I O N A l Trinidad and Tobago, known for it's colorful Carnival Grenada Nutmeg Black Meetings & Tourism December 2009: www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com Photo Credit: Trinidad and Tobago Tourism Board Photo Credit: Grenada Tourism Board 72