by Nicola Ashton

"Win a 7 night stay at the eco-chic Hotel Mocking Bird Hill, Jamaica, with ecobookers.com! For more information and your chance to win, simply click here and register your details. All entries must be in by 9th January 2008.  Good luck!"

As the cold weather sets in and the days become shorter, it's easy to find yourself day-dreaming of sunnier climes. Summer already seems a long time ago and it's even longer until we see it again, so who could blame you if your thoughts are already on next year's holiday? And if it's a tropical island you're imagining, you can't get much more picture-perfect than the Caribbean!

Although many areas of the Caribbean have been taken over by mass tourism, and all the trappings that go with it, it's still possible to find unspoiled beauty, away from the crowds.

Dominica

Take Dominica, for example. On this self-proclaimed 'nature island' there's not a fast-food chain or international hotel in sight, and while tourism is important to the island's economy, the focus is firmly on eco-tourism. Dominica as a holiday destination may not be what you'd think of as a typical Caribbean get-away – it is less about the beaches and more about the rainforest, waterfalls and culture – but it makes for a stunning escape nonetheless. The Morne Trois Pitons National Park, a designated World Heritage site, is a beautiful tropical forest, home to outstanding natural attractions such as the twin waterfalls of Trafalgar Falls and the Emerald Pool. A visit to one of the small rural villages, away from the capital of Roseau, will show you a traditional way of life, where the local people grow their own fruits and vegetables in their gardens and dry cocoa pods on their porches to make cocoa tea.

A friendly family-run tour company, Jungle Trekking & Safaris work with small rural communities to offer a range of day trips around Dominica, where you can learn about the culture and traditions, hike to the waterfalls and bathe in the rivers.

For accommodation, there are a wide range of eco-friendly options available, including the 3 Rivers Eco Lodge  near Rosalie, 3 Rivers Eco Lodgethe Tamarind Tree Hotel in Salisbury and the Picard Beach Cottages & Wellness Eco-Resort in Portsmouth.

Jamaica

Alternatively, you could head to a better-known Caribbean Island, but find yourself an eco-friendly corner. For example, Jamaica is a stunning island, from the sandy tropical beaches to the distinctive Blue Mountains, but tourism often comes in the form of all-inclusive resorts. Explore a little further and you will find rugged coastlines, lush tropical rainforests, flowing rivers and cascading waterfalls. Get away from the popular tourist traps such as Montego Bay and there are some smaller towns worth a visit such as Falmouth, with its great plantation houses, or the charming Port Antonio with its beautiful harbour.

It is overlooking Port Antonio that you will find Hotel Mocking Bird Hill, an environmentally friendly luxury boutique hotel, nestled in the foothills of the Blue Mountains and minutes away from the beach. After a day of exploration, relax in your hammock or arrange for a massage before discovering creative Caribbean cuisine at the hotel's romantic Restaurant Mille Fleurs, with spectacular views overlooking the harbour.

Trinidad & Tobago

Another option is the twin-island nation of Trinidad and Tobago. On the picturesque island of Tobago you will find beautiful sandy beaches lined with palm trees, and clear, blue waters where you can snorkel or scuba dive out on the coral reef. However, unlike many other Caribbean Islands, Tobago is largely undeveloped. Tobago's rainforest is the world's oldest nature reserve and the island has won tourism awards as an eco-destination. Stay in an eco-friendly accommodation such as the Beachcomber Cabins at Bacolet Point or the Adventure Eco Villas, situated on a twelve-acre nature reserve and organic farm.

Trinidad, on the other hand, is a much larger island with a wide variety of spectacular natural sites to explore – rainforests teeming with birdlife, sandy beaches where giant leatherback turtles come to nest, the Devil's Woodyard Mud Volcanoes set amongst old teak woodlands, the Pitch Lake in La Brea, one of only three tar lakes in the world, as well as caves, waterfalls and swampland. In addition to all of this, Trinidad has a rich cultural heritage to discover. For help arranging cultural tours, excursions to some of the natural wonders of the island, or for information on helping out with rainforest or sea turtle conservation, contact gail@exclusivetourstnt.com or visit www.gailsexclusivetours.com.

With these fantastic eco-friendly options available, what more excuse do you need to get booking that dream getaway!