By
Rebecca Gibson |
Sailing into the picturesque St. George’s Harbour gives cruise guests their first taste of the adventure that awaits them in Pure Grenada, Spice of the Caribbean. Often hailed as one of the most beautiful harbours in the world, St. George’s Harbour has Georgian architecture and a colourful charm that entices every cruise passenger to explore all that the island of Grenada has to offer, including white-sand beaches, lush rainforests, mountains and scenic ridges, all within minutes of each other.
Cruise guests have a choice of more than 40 beaches on the island, the most famous of which is Grand Anse. This sheltered two-mile expanse of white sand is home to some of the island’s finest hotels and most interesting dining venues and bars. They can also head to the nearby Grand Anse Craft and Spice Market to browse local craft items to take home as souvenirs or gifts for their family and friends. A visit to Grand Anse also provides cruise visitors with the chance to fully immerse themselves in island life by connecting with locals and learning more about Grenada, all while watching the sunset with a mojito in hand.
Grenada is affectionately called the Spice Isle because of the abundance of spices found there, including nutmeg, cinnamon, turmeric and clove. Many of the island’s traditional dishes are infused with these spices, but cruise passengers who want to learn more can take a ‘Savour the Spice’ tour. Participants will discover the local culinary flavours or visit the Gouyave Nutmeg Station to see how the spice is hand-processed for export.
The Caribbean is known for its flavourful rum and Grenada is no different. Three world-renowned rum factories offer tours and tastings of products like sorrel and chocolate rum liqueur. Cruise guests wanting a rum tour with history and adventure should visit The River Antoine Rum Distillery, which is home to the oldest functioning water wheel in the Caribbean
However, Grenada is not just famous for its rum. The island also has five factories that produce chocolates infused with local spices and other ingredients. Some of the producers offer ‘bean to bar’ tours where cruise guests can get a behind-the-scenes look at the ethical organic chocolate-making process before purchasing their own artisan chocolates to take home with them. Cruise guests visiting in May will also be able to attend an annual festival celebrating the sweet treat.
Grenada also offers multiple options for adventurous cruise guests who want to discover the island’s natural landscape in an unusual way. One option is a dune buggy tour that will take guests past breathtaking vistas, quaint towns or off-road through forests and other areas. In addition to taking in the scenery, those on the tour will be able to stop off at one of the 15 waterfalls that are hidden across the island. Popular options include Annandale Falls, which is just a short walk from the main road, and Concord Waterfall, which is also easily accessible with transportation.
Meanwhile, cruise travellers who want to explore on foot can find Grand Etang National Park at the centre of the island. The natural forested landscape surrounds Grand Etang Lake and offers excellent hiking paths for people of all capabilities.
This article was first published in the Autumn/Winter 2019 issue of International Cruise & Ferry Review. All information was correct at the time of printing, but may since have changed.
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