Wednesday, August 26, 2020

Grenada (grih-NAY-duh)

Grenada Flag



"Spice Island"


Why visit Grenada?
Travelers seeking a distinctive culture to enjoy deep sea fishing, diving, fresh spices, hiking, history, mountain waterfalls, unspoiled landscapes, picturesque seaports, sailing, snorkeling, thick forest, water sports and white sand beaches.


At a Glance
  • Souvenirs to Buy: Baskets, chocolate, fudge, jam, jewelry, rum, spices, and stamps.
  • Local Cuisine to Try: Callaloo (soup). Coconut Drops (snack). Curry Goat (popular). Lambi (conch dish). Nutmeg Ice Cream (dessert). Oil Down (national). Pelau (chicken dish). Sweet Potato Pudding (dessert).
  • Local Drink to Try: Carib (beer). Cocoa Tea.

History
  • In 1498, Christopher Columbus arrived.
  • In 1520, named by the Spaniards.
  • In 1649, the French settled on the island.
  • In 1783, Treaty of Versailles, the French lost power to Britain.
  • In 1834, slavery was abolished.
  • In 1950, began working towards as a tourism destination.
  • In 1961, Bianca C (a 600 passenger Italian ocean liner) caught on fire and sank. The largest Caribbean ship wreck.
  • In 1974, became a sovereign state.
  • In 1983, with threats to American Medical Students at St George University, late President Ronald Reagan had forces from the United State and Regional Security System invade.


Levera Beach, Grenada Photo Credit: Elaine Brewer/Unsplash 



Fun Facts
  • Consists of the main island and six smaller islands south of Grenadine.
  • Provides an estimated 20% of the world's supply of allspice, cinnamon, clovers, ginger, mace and nutmeg.
  • It takes between 7 - 15 years for nutmeg to mature bearing any fruit. Production begins after twenty years. Nutmeg, is the seed of the tree and mace, is the reddish dry lacy covering of the seed.
  • Nutmeg is abundantly grown.

Special Holidays/Occasions
  • Annual Events: (January) Annual Spice Island Billfish Tournament, Grenada Sailing Festival, Port Louis Grenada Sailing Festival, (March) Carriacou Carnival, (April) Carriacou Maroon Festival, (May) Grenada Chocolate Fest, (June) Fisherman's Birthday Festival, (August) Carnival, Carriacou Regatta, Sailing Regatta, Spice Mas, & (December) Parang Festival.
  • Holidays: New Year's Day, Independence Day, Good Friday. Easter Monday, Labor Day, Whit Monday, Feast of Corpus Christi, Emancipation Day, Carnival, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, & Boxing Day.

Good to Know
  • Offers small rivers with waterfalls flowing from the mountains into the sea.
  • Situated on the southern edge of the hurricane belt.
  • Popular island day trips to Carriacou & Petite Martinique.
  • On Carriacou a fire truck meets all incoming flights.
  • Story telling is a tradition you may hear tales about, "Anancy", a trickster spider (originating from West Africa), "La Diablesse", the well dressed drive and "Ligaroo", the werewolf (both French inspired).
  • You may enjoy reading, Island in the Sun written by Alec Waugh.
  • To inspire your trip you may enjoy watching, Heartbreak Ridge (1986) and Island in the Sun (1957).
  • Known for the collectible postage stamps.
  • Home to five chocolate factories.
  • Daylight savings not observed.
  • Tourism industry is unevenly regulated and safety do not commonly occur. 
  • Possession, trafficking, or using illegal drugs are severe with fines and long jail sentences.
  • Most hotels and restaurants accept USA currency; change tends to be in local currency.
  • Consensual same sex sexual relations is illegal and punishable up to 10 years’ in prison.
  • Traffic moves to the left side of the road. 
  • Seat belts are mandatory, violators are fined 1,000 XCD ($400USD).


Photo Credit: Gary Stephen/Pixabay 


This international destination requires:
  • A valid passport with six months of validity upon return and one blank page for entry stamp.
  • Tourist VISA not required for visits under 3 months.
  • Required Vaccination from select countries. 

Hurricane Season is June - November. Usually impacted between July - September.

  • Coolest Season: January - February
  • Humid & Hottest: April - September
  • Peak Season: December - April
  • Shoulder Season: June - November

Your Must-See & Do
  • Historical Sites: Christ of the Deep, Duquesne Petroglyphs, Fort Frederick, Fort George, Leapers Hill & The Priory.
  • Museums: Carriacou Museum, Grenada National Museum & Rome Museum.
  • Popular Attractions: Annandale Falls, Blessed Sacrament Church, Carenage,  Concord Falls, Dougaldston Estate, Esplanade, Gouyave, Grand Anse Beach, Gouyave Nutmeg Processing Cooperative, Grenada Golf Course, Grenada Underwater Sculpture Park, Grand Etang National Park, Grenville, L'Anse Aux Epines Beach, Levera Beach, Magazine Beach, Melville Street, Morne Rouge Beach, Mount St Catherine, Mt Carmel Falls, Pearls Beach, Point Salines, Portici Beach, River Antoine Rum Distillery, Sauteurs, Seven Sisters Falls, Spice Island & St George.



Saint George, Grenada. Photo Credit: Richard Todd/Pixabay 



My industry designation earned as a Caribbean Specialist combined with our local connections with Cruise Lines, Tour Operators, Hotels, Resorts, Airlines, Villa Rental Companies, Adventure Travel providers and Limo companies will offer you Exclusive Benefits that you won't be able to achieve on your own. Such as: Complimentary Breakfast for Two Daily, Dining or Resort Credit, Spa Treatment, Airport Transfer, or other privileges. Even Room Upgrades, Early Check-In and Late Check-Out when available



Ready to embark on custom and personalized services, your journey begins with Louvet TravelYour one stop source: Accommodations I Air I Car Rentals I Cruises I Disney Excursions I Tours I Transfers I Travel Insurance I Villa Rentals


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"The world is a book, and those who do not travel read only one page" Saint Augustine

                                        All information deemed reliable but not guaranteed. Subject to change without notice. 

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