Perfect Island Getaways from 1,000 Places to See Before You Die: The Caribbean, Bahamas & Bermuda by Patricia Schultz

Author:Patricia Schultz [Schultz, Patricia]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Workman Publishing Company
Published: 2011-01-14T18:30:00+00:00

A Lush, Fragrant Spice Island with Scenic Allure

ST. GEORGE’S HARBOUR AND GRAND ANSE BEACH

St. George’s, Grenada, Lesser Antilles

This postcard-perfect horseshoe-shaped port—actually the crater of an inactive volcano—is one of the most scenic in all the Caribbean, flanked by early 18th-century forts and hugged by the Caribbean’s most authentic and raffishly charming port town, St. George’s. A cheerful hodgepodge of West Indian and French colonial influences, it is known for its “fish scale”-roofed rainbow-colored homes climbing the steep, green hills behind it. The crescent-shaped waterfront district, the Carenage, is the colorful commercial hub of the naturally landlocked inner harbor.

Grenada is both lush and fertile, making it an extravagant producer of spices since nutmeg took off in the 1850s—today the Spice Island produces more than one third of the world’s supply of nutmeg. Stop by the daily open-air market (especially on busy Saturday mornings) to listen to the turbaned ladies sell their fragrant cloves, bay leaves, cinnamon, and nutmeg, along with colorful piles of pawpawa (papaya), red and gold mangoes, and exotic vegetables.

This 21-by-12-mile island boasts one of the Caribbean’s lushest rain forests in its mountainous interior. Grand Etang National Park, named for a picturesque lake or “big pond” formed from a volcanic crater, is a trekker’s paradise, with wild nutmeg, long-tailed monkeys, and powerful, picturesque waterfalls. Trails range from an easy 1.25-mile excursion to the Seven Sisters, a dramatically beautiful group of seven waterfalls, to more serious treks.

Grenada attracts snorkelers and divers with its unique and magically captivating Underwater Sculpture Park—65 works of art installed underwater in Molinere Bay, off the island’s west coast. It also has one of the world’s best wreck dives—the 600-foot luxury liner Bianca C., hailed as the Titanic of the Caribbean, sank in 1961 and can be easily reached by recreational divers.

St. George’s is not recommended for action seekers or casino devotees, but beach lovers need look no further than nearby Grand Anse, south of town. This 2-mile curve of perfect sand is the most famous of the island’s 45 beaches, with gentle surf that sets the scene for a wide variety of water sports. Most of the island’s best hotels are on or near Grand Anse, including the island’s gold standard, Spice Island Beach Resort. This stylish all-inclusive breaks the mold, with eco-friendly design, a salt water pool, and 64 suites with jacuzzi.

For creative local cuisine, amble across the road to the airy terrace of La Belle Creole restaurant in the Blue Horizons Cottage Hotel. Sunset views accompany family-recipe classics like chilled lobster mousse, cream of tannia soup, or veal à la Creole. Listen to steel drums on Fish Fridays in Gouyave, a 30-minute wonderfully scenic drive up the coast, where the fresh, spicy fish served by local vendors is some of the island’s best.

Nonresorty and sophisticated hostelries have been popping up around the island, led by the Bali-inspired Laluna with 16 thatched-roof cottages nestled into the hillside next to a pristine white beach not far from St. George’s. Nearby, the offbeat Aquarium Restaurant sits right on the beach but built back into the forest.

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