Many travelers fail to think of Grenada as a stop for beach holidays, which makes it one of the best places in the Caribbean to visit and traverse, being one of the most tranquil places in the region, broadly untouched by hordes of tourists.
Grenada maintains spotless beauty thanks to the fact that it has widely escaped mass tourism. You will find off-the-beaten-path bays like Black Bay Beach, an isolated and hidden black beach near the Concord Waterfalls on Grenada’s west coast, unknown volcanoes, and most notably the world-renowned spice plantations and colonial homes.
This gorgeous island is commonly referred to as the isle of spice for good reason. Most of the world’s nutmeg, ginger cloves, vanilla, cinnamon, cloves, turmeric, and mace are grown in Grenada. Chefs and restaurants throughout the world depend on the spices of Grenada for culinary masterpieces and exquisite cuisine.
The spice plantation tour guides and archaeologists of the region are quick to share stories of the island’s sometimes-tumultuous yet adventurous past. Economically the region has relied profoundly on the spice plantations for quite a while. Once upon a time, during times of financial distress, spices were commonly used as currency a barter for crops, food, and even slaves. Much of the island’s culture and history is derived from the spice industry and the methods of local farmers to grow spices have remained mostly consistent throughout the centuries.
For this reason, Grenada isn’t complete without a visit to the Gouyave Nutmeg Factory. Nutmeg is the cash crop of Grenada and the Gouyave Nutmeg Factory is where visitors can test and buy tasty nutmeg jams and jellies, syrup, ice cream, and even medicinal ointments.
The marketplace is a St. George Caribbean market with a newly renovated spice market hall where shoppers can buy a combination of spices, vegetables, and fresh fruits while on holiday in Grenada.
In addition to its spices, Grenada is also recognized for the rum it produces. Rum distilleries produce profuse samplings of what is widely considered to be the world’s best rum. The longest operating rum factory in the world – River Antoine Rum Distillery – still works with a water wheel. Clark’s Court Distillery offers a wide assortment of rum products in the St. George district while St. David’s Westerhall Estate’s Rum Distillery takes visitors through the rum-making method in addition to hosting organic lunches and offering a blend of rum samplings.
With so much to do, and so many fascinating sights to take in, a holiday in Grenada is an ideal getaway for anyone wanting to witness the spice of life, while dodging the crowds of more famous Caribbean tourist destinations.
