Famous for its fragrant spice trees and rare tropical flowers, Grenada is a beautiful, picturesque island located in the South Eastern Caribbean Sea and is commonly referred to as the Spice Island of Grenada. Sighted in 1498 by the famed Conquistador Christopher Columbus during his discovery of the New World, the island was at first called Conception before becoming Grenada.
Colonialised ultimately by the French, the Spice Island of Grenada was eventually ceded to the British in 1763 and became a Crown Colony in 1877. Comprising also the Grenadines – a chain of more than 600 Windward Islands which are both part of this idyllic island nation and neighbouring St Vincent, notable islands include Carriacou and Petit Martinique.
Divided into six quaint parishes named after famous saints, the capital St George is located in St George Parish and enjoys the reputation of being perhaps the most picturesque city in the Caribbean. Located on a horse-shoe shaped harbour, the pastel coloured buildings with their traditional red roofs offer an impossibly attractive vista.
In Grenada, you'll discover markets, spice plantations, flamboyant hotels, stunning beaches such as Grande Anse and colourful coral reefs and much more. It's no wonder why package holiday tours to Grenada are so popular.Being of volcanic origin, Grenada's soil is extraordinarily fertile. Growing more spice per square mile than any other island on earth, Grenada is referred to as the ‘Spice Island'.
Typical spices grown here include cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg and cloves. In addition, cocoa and banana trees grow in prevalence. Heady ginger, vanilla and nutmeg aromas are known to fill the air. Indeed, the Spice Island of Grenada supplies 20% of the world's nutmeg crop. Such is its importance that there is a nutmeg on Grenada's flag.
Spice plantation tours are a popular attraction on the island. Although colonial French influences are less apparent here in Grenada, the Gaelic influence is present in Grenada's cuisine which is a heady melange of French, Indian and African flavours. Food can be well-seasoned and spicy with a real nod to the Creole cuisine of New Orleans. Chow down on seafood; calaloo and oildown, a tasty meat, vegetable and coconut stew which is also Grenada's national dish.
The food goes down even more effortlessly with a cold Carib beer in hand. Music and festivals also play a big part in Grenada. Soca, reggae and calypso are the order of the day at Grenada's annual carnival. For a holiday you will always remember a package holiday tour to Grenada staying in a flamboyant hotel is absolutely perfect.
If you take a trip to Concord Valley it is unlikely that you will be able to resist using up all the film in your camera. Home to three remarkable waterfalls known as the Concord Falls, this journey is the perfect combination of energetic exercise as you reach your target and absolute relaxation as you admire the views and enjoy a swim. The first stage is easily accessible by road whereas the other two can only be reached by foot. However they are well worth the hike and it is doubtful you will ever forget such stunning scenery.
As the Spice Island of Grenada is one of the premier yachting centres in the region, sailing is an experience you definitely shouldn't miss out on. You can chose whether to go out on your own, with yachting crews and can even have lessons if you've never sailed before or fancy brushing up on your skills. If you prefer to sit back and leave the sailing to someone else, why not partake in one of the day or evening cruises available from various local tour companies. You can fall in love with the dolphins and whales or cruise up Grenada's outer islands to Carriacou and Petit Martinique.
Scuba diving in Grenada rewards divers of all standards with coral gardens, wrecks including the fine Bianca C and reef walls teeming with marine life. The seas are temperate and for the majority part, visibility is between 10-30 metres. Stingray, barracuda and giant hawsbill turtles are a common underwater sight. With everything you can do on the Spice Island of Grenada it's not hard to see why package holiday tours to Grenada are so popular.
In Grenada, enjoy great food, sunshine, aquatic pursuits, day excursions to locations such as Grand Etang Lake and National Park and the spice plantations, flamboyant hotels, relaxing calypso rhythms and mingling with the local Grenadians. Enjoy a different Caribbean holiday in Grenada – the spice island.
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