Go wild for flavour in the Caribbean island of Grenada

THE SPICE MARKET

It’s impossible not to get swept up in the heady scent of Grenada’s spice market on Market Square.

It’s like entering into a fog of cinnamon, vanilla, ginger, cumin – to name a few. Underneath a canopy it’s as if I’ve entered a giant spice car-boot sale.

Small bags of the purest spice powder, grown in the island’s fertile soil, are sold alongside homemade coconut soaps and oils that you would pay a fortune for in a health shop back home. The stall owners pitch a hard sale for the must-have spice, locally grown nutmeg.

The surrounding streets are lined with tables selling clothes and jewellery.

CLARKE’S COURT RUM

If you feel like a warm kick to your solar plexus then the local rum can do this with a single sip. High in the hills, tucked within the lush vegetation, you’ll find Clarke’s Court showroom, similar to the size of a large barn. Rows and rows of bottles line the walls.

Although the distillery is located on the south of the island, you can taste up to 16 varieties here (if you have the stamina). Rum is served in goblet-size taster glasses, from the commonly-known white rum to the slightly more forgiving passion fruit fl avour.

THE HOUSE OF CHOCOLATE

Located in St George’s, a small blue door leads you into a small one-room museum. Along the walls of this museum, is a timeline of Grenada’s chocolate history.

The best bit is that you can eat as much chocolate as you can handle in the café, or try their delicious homemade cakes and ice cream.

On a free short tour, I learn that 100 per cent chocolate can cure many ailments. It’s music to my ears so I buy a dozen 100 per cent cocoa bars, whose high quality is only produced in eight other countries.

FORT FREDERICK

Built by the French in 1779, sitting 700 feet above sea level, the Fort gives an idea of just how small the island actually is. The grey stone blends into the face of the steep hill.

After a walk through its grand arches the steps lead you through the solid stone walls. It is quite austere. There are no architectural frills here.

Sadly it is not in the best condition, thanks to the Americans bombing it in 1983.

Below sits the prison, a daunting concrete building also once a fort, yet boasting some of the best views on the island. Not that any of the inmates would know; their windows are barred. Beyond is a cluster of schools that are easy to spot thanks to their orange roofs and at the end is the university looking out to sea.

THE BEACHES

There may be more than 45 beaches on the island but the favourite with locals is BBC Beach. It is lined with palm trees and is a popular spot for paddle boarding and sailing.

After all that activity, La Plywood is the place to refuel with its great views from the roof. The water levels are low making it safe for a young family. If you want more of a buzz then the Grand Anse on the island’s south-east is the hub for tourists.

Here you will find Umbrella’sBeach Bar and Coconut Beach Restaurant. 

UNDERWATER SCULPTURE PARK 

For me this was my real life Sir David Attenborough moment.

Set in Molinere Bay, the Underwater Sculpture Park was built in 2004 by sculptor Jason deCaires Taylor. The 60 figurines that stand on the sea floor each tell a story of Grenada’s history.

It feels like an underwater Pompeii and because the area is marine protected, there’s a proliferation of fish including clown fish, eels and schools of jacks.

THE RESORT

Sandals (sandals.co.uk) is the island’s largest resort with more than 250 rooms. It sits on a private beach with its own watersports facility.

Every activity imaginable is available here such as night-time snorkelling, paddle boarding and sailing. The resort’s spa uses its own natural oils and is just the place for a pre-flight massage to help prolong the holiday.

And with 12 restaurants ranging from a steakhouse to sushi bar, you are spoilt for choice. There’s even a pub open until 2am. T

he resort is dotted across beautiful lawns and there are mini pools everywhere. There are also five larger pools, swinging chairs, hammocks and sunbeds and the best bit is that it is only five minutes from the airport.

GETTING THERE

Sandals Resorts (0800 597 0002/ sandals.co.uk) offer seven nights at LaSource Grenada from £1,889 (two sharing), all inclusive. Price includes return flights from London Gatwick and transfers. Grenada tourism: grenadagrenadines.com