Nestling in the Caribbean Sea, the island of Grenada has somehow managed to escape the mass tourism of its neighbouring islands. This relatively new holiday destination has much to offer the eco-traveller, with its varied landscapes including crater lakes, volcanoes, lush rainforests, beaches and coral. Grenada is known as the Spice Island of the Caribbean, because of the nutmeg and cinnamon, which has been grown since the 1780's, having been brought over by the English.
As you enter the harbour city of St George, you are struck by how strangely attractive it is. Built around the rim of a volcanic crater, its harbour is completely landlocked and it's quite possibly one of the most beautiful capitals in the Caribbean.
Other features include the many colonial influences in the architecture, which were brought about by the many changes that this Island had to endure. French provincial architecture stands shoulder-to-shoulder with Georgian stonework, however native heritage is still present when you notice the pastel-coloured wooden Creole houses snaking up the hillside.
A hectic scene greets the visitor on Saturday mornings in Market Square. It's a colourful hive of activity, enveloped in the tangy aroma of spices, where you run the gauntlet of street hawkers and farmers trying to sell you their bananas and mangoes.
Grenada has two smaller island dependencies, Carriacou and Petit Martinique, which can be reached by plane or by boat from Carenage, but by far the most alluring way of reaching Carriacou is by sailing into its natural harbour. Here you can experience the delights on offer, such as the Carriacou Regatta (held in August) and the African-influenced Big Drum Dance.
Print >