Hidden Gem of the Caribbean by Gabriele Scholes (video clip)

HIDDEN GEM OF THE CARIBBEAN

Grenada is known as the ‘hidden gem’ of the Caribbean, or you may have heard of it as the Caribbean’s Spice Island. It has everything you’d expect to find on a Caribbean Island, lovely beaches, lush green plantations, friendly people, nice towns to visit, interesting markets, a thriving spice, rum and chocolate industry and the added benefits of hotels and restaurants to suit all budgets and tastes… and all of these with vistas and views to enjoy the sparkling Caribbean sea!

I love flying to the Caribbean! It’s a daytime flight. Time to relax, watch a couple of films or get immersed in a good book. You arrive with time to unpack and freshen up, before enjoying dinner in the warm balmy evening outdoors. Don’t stay up too late that first night though, as you’ll be up early next morning to watch the sunrise, sipping a tea, or a fresh orange juice!

I stayed at the True Blue Resort for the first two nights and had dinner at Le Phare Bleu. This is a treat, lovely food, and tables on the beachfront overlooking the yacht in the harbour. In the evening the restaurant is romance personified as you watch the beautiful sunset!

True Blue is the perfect location for venturing out and taking to sailing. Their hotel rooms are superbe, but if apartment style accommodation is more to your liking, they have plenty, with full kitchen and self-catering facilities.

One of the most famous hotels in Grenada is The Calabash – and I was thrilled to have a cooking demonstration at its famous Rhodes restaurant even more so when we were allowed to eat it all! Calabash is very special: beautiful suite accommodation, some with and some without pools, and luxury Jacuzzi baths. You can have breakfast served on your own patio or balcony, and the beach is lovely.

Spice Island Resort is another famous Grenada Hotel – its setting is right on Grand Anse Beach. It has a lovely pool, bars and restaurants and beachfront suites with all amenities, and comfy beds to die for!

There are lots of unusual activities to try in Grenada as well – like River Tubing!
One evening we tried our luck at Crab Racing. If you feel energetic then the Powerboat Eco tour is for you! There is an amazing Underwater Sculpture Park, where we all snorkelled and enjoyed the clear views and colourful fish.
Continue your day at an interesting Craft and Spice Market and lunch at The Aquarium! What a perfect day!

Take another day for a tour of the island. The National Parks have beautiful waterfalls and fabulous vantage points. There’s time to visit the nutmeg and chocolate and rum producing factories, which make Grenada so famous.

Make sure St George is on your visiting list. It’s Grenada’s capital and has a famous Saturday market. From there drive up to Forts George and Frederick. The views are just incredible. And you can try some proper home style cooking at Patrick’s!

At the end of it all, a beautiful Sunset Sailing Trip. Out to sea in a catamaran, with music, drinks or a glass of champagne, and watch the sun go down. Does that capture your imagination?

There are so many things to do in Grenada but of course, in true Caribbean Style you could choose to do nothing at all! Just sit in the sun or enjoy the comfort of your beautiful room – languish in its lavish luxuries, flat screen TVs, sound systems and gorgeous bathrooms.

Or, all you might need for your perfect holiday could be a walk along a quiet beach, a swim in the warm sea and a cocktail in a pretty shaded spot!

So come to Hallmark Travel and I can help you find just that place… or email me gabriele@hallmarktravel.com

Meet me in the Gallery!