This island, often celebrated for its natural beauty and culture, hosts one of world’s most famous and exuberant Carnivals in the world.

Rio de Janeiro in Brazil is not the only place where you can experience an amazing carnival filled with music, colourful parades, dancing and incredible street food. The Trinidad and Tobago Carnival, also known as the ‘mother of all carnivals’, takes place every year over two whole days on the Monday and Tuesday before Ash Wednesday, the first day of Lent.

This year, the carnival is taking place from Monday, March 3, until Tuesday, March 4. While Rio de Janeiro’s carnival is largely focused on samba music, Trinidad and Tobago’s is characterised by steel drums and a steel pan band competition, Calypso and Soca music – a style of music which was born in the dual-island country. The carnival originated during the time of slavery on the island when slaves, excluded from the masquerade balls and festivities of the white plantation owners, created their own parallel celebrations with drumming, dancing, and masquerading.