Joan Thistle talks about another of her favourite destinations: Grenada
Welcome to the Spice of the Caribbean! Grenada (known as the island of Spice) is a place where untouched beauty meets the warm people satisfied and happy with a simple way of life; this island offers a lifestyle pure and authentic. One of the first things you’ll notice upon arriving in Grenada are the local’s willingness to socialize and help you; they are approachable and will embrace you, making you feel at home on your spice island holiday. You will quickly learn Grenada has something for everyone - beautiful endless beaches, adventure, romance, culture, entertainment, fresh delicious food, chocolate, spices and so much history.
This charming island features more then 45 pristine beaches filled with countless opportunities for adventure, snorkeling, or relaxing under an umbrella while the gentle waves serenade you. My favourite is Grand Anse Beach, but Morne Rouge Beach and Magazine Beach are close runner's up! The beaches on this island are public and there are no nude beaches in Grenada.
If you’ve always imagined yourself exploring the warm waters of the Caribbean Sea, then Grenada is the perfect vacation destination for you. Sailors return to the island repeatedly for the ultimate yachting experience. For the diving enthusiast, why not indulge in the underwater sculpture park, enjoy the colorful coral reefs and spectacular shipwrecks. Or, if you prefer, Grenada is perfect for kayaking, wind surfing and paddle boards. Grenada is a paradise for sport fishing; it offers everything from chartered deep sea excursions to international fishing competitions and the annual Spice Island Billfish Tournament.
Calypso is the native music on the island, although around the island you will hear a fusion of parang, reggae, dance hall and pop from cars, buses, store fronts, restaurants, and even through the windows of people’s homes, especially during festival seasons.
2016 events you won’t want to miss:
Grenada sailing week – January 28th 2016 – Grenada sailing week will introduce sailors to the very best sailing that Grenada has to offer. The sailing week combines the warmth and charm of Grenada with great conditions to create this annual event.
Pure Grenada Music festival - April 5th, 2016 – if you love music you won’t want to miss six days of pure music! The festival will feature local bands alongside international artists such as Joss Stone, Madison Violet (Canadian) and Etana, Steel Pulse, Eddie Bullen, Zara MacFarlane, Andy Narrell, Hendrix Ackle and much more.
Grenada Chocolate Festival – May 13, 2016 – Celebrate chocolate Grenadian style and indulge yourself in a unique experience with pure, delicious organic chocolate and learn about the old fashioned and ethical way to grow organic cocoa. Thrill your taste buds on a journey of authentic chocolate and learn about chocolate tempering, molding and truffle making. Learn how artisans hand-make, small batches from tree to bar chocolate is created.
I can vouch that the Grenada Chocolate Company was a delightful surprise - organic chocolate made from the Grenadian Coco Beans…my goodness did I over-indulge here! I did make room in my suitcase for a case of these delicious award winning chocolate bars; my two favorites were the crunchy nib-a-licious and the salty-licious all made of 100% organic coco. When I got home I quickly learned how to make fabulous chocolate mousse from this chocolate to share with my family. Also, while there, don’t forget to try their home-made ice-cream and deserts.
If you are planning a destination wedding, Grenada will fulfill your dreams for your special day. The choices are endless, you can easily exchange your vows on a boat, a quiet pristine white sandy beach, under a gentle swaying palm tree, in a flower forest, near a waterfall, a church, a posh resort, a planation home...the choices are endless. Grenada is known throughout the world as one of the most peaceful and idyllic islands for a wedding or honeymoon. Weddings are legal in Grenada; you must be on the island 3 days prior to your special day.
Grenada is sure to be an unforgettable culinary experience with options of formal dining, casual bars, and roadside vendors; there is an endless variety of fresh seafood enhanced by Grenadian herbs and spices. I was thrilled to find Bruno’s restaurant at the Cabier Ocean Lodge, this restaurant specializes in Caribbean food infused with a European flair; food is prepared with fresh local ingredients with reasonable prices. The Belmont Estate was another great dining choice; this restaurant is without walls and is set in the country. The Beach House in St Georges is a famous seafood restaurant and of course I couldn’t resist the lobster dinner while enjoying the ocean views!
Gouyave Fish Friday - my goodness this was such a fun evening! Gouyave is known as the town that never sleeps, it’s located on the west coast. This is an entertaining evening, filled with amazing seafood, music and locals selling their goods. The food is fresh, inexpensive and prepared before your eyes. You can have a great meal with a couple of cold beers for around 10.00 USD. Lobster, shrimp and various fresh fish, right out of the water is prepared in a variety of ways. Dress casual with comfortable walking shoes and check out all the stalls before deciding on what to eat. As you know I am a seafood food junky when I'm in the Caribbean, so I was in my full glory with the endless seafood choices!
Where to stay
Grenada offers something for every budget; from small attractive guest houses to 5 star all-inclusive resorts; accommodations will have distinctive island flair that is unique to Grenada. Most of the resorts will offer a mix of amenities from water sports to exotic spa treatments, beach clubs to tennis courts. There is always something for everyone.
I would love to customize your next Grenada holiday package for you, your families and friends with hassle-free flights from all major gateways in Canada with great connection times and accommodations for every budget. Please contact me to arrange your next Caribbean dream holiday - I look forward to making your dream destination an extraordinary experience!
CLICK HERE TO CONTACT JOAN!
Call Joan Toll-Free at: 1-800-661-2454 ext. 6846
Or email her at joant@uniglobeone.com
VIEW JOAN'S TOP PICKS TO GRENADA