Grenada is a beautiful island in the Caribbean, rich in history and culture and combined with beautiful beaches, stunning lush mountains and idyllic waterfalls. It’s one of the friendliest places I have visited – the locals are so proud of their island and are keen to share their passion with you. Grenada is the perfect destination for those who are looking for a little bit more from their getaway. To give you a little taste of what it has to offer, here’s how you can spend a day on the ‘Spice Island’ – although I’d implore you to stay longer!
After a refreshing sleep and a hearty breakfast at Calabash Luxury Boutique Hotel & Spa, we visited Annandale Falls – a 30-minute drive away. It’s a beautiful waterfall surrounded by lush ferns and dramatic boulders. Some of the thrill-seeking locals will dive from the top of the rocks for a small fee but we decided to take a dip into the refreshing water instead – rumour has it that the magic water will make you look 10 years younger!
After turning back our body clocks we headed to Saint George’s, Grenada’s colourful capital with its vibrant buildings scattered up the hillside overlooking the pretty marina. Take a stop at the market where you can try fresh fruit and vegetables and buy some local spices to take home. We also found a great rum shack and asked for an ‘Under the Counter’ rum – a punchy spirit infused with a secret blend of spices which is kept under the counter for special occasions!
Cocoa is widely grown in Grenada and is one of its biggest exports, along with nutmeg and banana. From Saint George’s, you can take a short walk to the House of Chocolate museum, where the passionate staff will give you a demonstration of the bean to bar process. They also have some great chocolates to try – the chocolate rum is delicious!
We then climbed to the top of Fort George, which currently houses the Royal Grenada Police Force but was originally built by French soldiers. Plaques show the important landmarks and cannons still located here and the views of Saint George’s are amazing from the top of the fort. Make sure you bring your camera!
Next, we boarded a boat and sailed along the Grenadian coastline, while the crew pointed out different spots on the island. We then anchored alongside Grenada’s Underwater Sculpture Park and swam among its installations, including the most prominent sculpture, a circle of children holding hands. This was cast from local children and represents the adaptability of children as the coral grows on them in their new environment. After exploring more of the underwater park, we sailed back with a glass of bubbly as we watched the beautiful sunset.
After all that action, we had worked up quite an appetite! We dined at Rhodes Restaurant located at Calabash. You can dine here even if you’re not staying and it’s definitely worth making a reservation. It has an elegant fine-dining setup positioned under a pretty pergola. It’s perfect for a romantic dining experience and the food is fresh and bursting with flavour.
After dinner, if you’re still not ready for the night to end then head to the West Indies Beer Company, a fun and lively brewery just a short walk from Calabash. It has one of the widest selections of real ale and cider in Grenada, with some great music playing late into the night and a friendly Caribbean atmosphere.
Feeling inspired? Get in touch with one of our Caribbean specialists today!
