Summer holiday sizzlers in the Caribbean

With a myriad of islands, each with its own heritage, culture and personality, the Caribbean remains a popular destination for holidaymakers. Whilst the high season runs from December to May, there’s plenty to do and see during the summer months too, from carnivals and cricket to turtles and trekking through rainforests.

With some excellent bargains from long-haul tour operator Tropical Sky, there is plenty to entice visitors to these beautiful laid-back islands. Such as:

Cricket & Calypso In Grenada
Known as the “Spice Island” as it is a high producer of nutmeg, cinnamon and cloves, Grenada offers more than just beautiful beaches with its Grand Etang National Park, a rainforest surrounding a breathtaking volcanic lake. Trails are well marked for hiking and walking the area, whether for a 20-minute stroll or day-long treks.

Cricket fans will enjoy the new national stadium in the capital of St George’s, which plays host on 27 and 29 June to two One Day International cricket matches between The West Indies and Australia.

Whilst in August, visitors can participate in the annual carnival, which offers a feast of music, dancing, calypso and street theatre. The island’s biggest party culminates with the Parade of the Bands on 12 August through the streets of St. Georges.

In June, stay for seven nights and only pay for six at the newly re-opened LaSource for £1,199 per person. The price with Tropical Sky includes accommodation on an all-inclusive basis, flights from London Gatwick with XL Airways, one complimentary spa treatment each day in the Oasis Spa, all taxes, surcharges and resort transfers. Certified divers are entitled to one complimentary dive per day during their stay.

Turtle-y Tobago
Sitting outside of the hurricane belt, Tobago enjoys the best of the Caribbean weather. Visit in mid-July and enjoy the two-week long Tobago Heritage Festival which celebrates with fiestas of music, song, dance and cuisine.

Visitors in June and July will benefit from seeing nature in its truest form as it’s the end of turtle nesting season. A morning walk along Turtle Beach or Courland Bay will reveal the discarded shells of the baby Leatherback, Hawksbill and Green Sea turtles that have hatched and made their perilous way down to the sea.

The best turtle hatching viewpoint can be found at Turtle Beach by rex resorts, as all rooms face towards the sea, so guests can sit on their balcony and have the very best views for watching the turtles at one with their environment. Prices with Tropical Sky from June to October start from £679 per person and include flights from London Gatwick with XL Airways, resort transfers, taxes and surcharges.

Schools Out In Barbados
With a warm climate tempered by cooling trade winds, Barbados, the most easterly of the Caribbean islands offers the perfect weather for activity-based family holidays. From 5 – 29 August, children can book into the annual Barbados Sports Camp, which offers free coaching in football, cricket and netball at the University of West Indies sports ground, near Bridgetown.

Sporting heroes Sir Geoff Hurst, Alan Hansen, Gordon Greenidge and Mike Gatting will be among the coaches at this year's camp. They will join former footballers’ Peter Shilton and Mark Bright, cricketers’ Gladstone Small and Desmond Haynes and a host of England's netball stars with the aim of encouraging children to expand their sporting skills.

August also sees the end of the four month long Crop Over Festival, which culminates with singing, dancing and music in an all-day parade finale across Bridgetown

Perfect for families, the all-inclusive Almond Casuarina is available throughout August from £999 per person. The price with Tropical Sky includes flights from London Gatwick with XL Airways, resort transfers, surcharges and taxes.

Set in ten acres of tropical gardens along the white sands of Dover Beach, the newly refurbished resort combines its natural surroundings with sophisticated accommodation, gourmet cuisine and facilities to suit couples and families alike. Children can join in the fun at the kids’ club and activities include snorkelling, kayaking, tennis and three pools.

For more information on all of these offers visit Tropicalsky.co.uk.