CaribbeanTravel.com Directory - (Page 122) THE ISLANDS OF Your Vacation Begins the Moment You Board US 1.800.523.5585 | UK 0.208.570.7999 | www.AirJamaica.com THE BAHAMAS isle of spice and VARIETY renada’s unspoiled beaches and serene, relaxed atmosphere make it ideal for clients who truly want to “get away from it all.” There are more than 40 pristine white-sand beaches in Grenada and nine black-sand beaches such as Black Bay, with its silky black volcanic sand. Grenadians have a lively, exotic culture rich in folklore, mostly reflecting the country’s African roots, which manifests itself in the annual weeklong Carnival in August and numerous other festivals and celebrations throughout the year. Active travelers will find much to do and explore, from diving and yachting to national parks and historical sightseeing, highlighted by centuries-old forts and spice estates. The latter are a must to any visitor who wants to understand the essence of Grenada, where there are more spices per G square mile than any other place on Earth. The air is filled with the aromas of nutmeg, cinnamon and other delightful scents that leave no doubt for visitors that they are on “The Isle of Spice.” Must-sees include the Douglaston Spice Estate in Gouyave, St. John, where most of the spices still receive primary processing in a 200-year old barracon (storage house) that was part of the original plantation buildings, and the Plantation House at St. Patrick’s, a grand 18th century stone building. A number of centuries-old rum distilleries also welcome visitors. DIVING, ECOTOURISM, HISTORY Thanks to a visibility of 60 feet to sometimes 100 feet, divers of all levels of experience can explore the deep with the help of expert dive operators based in the islands. Because Grenada and its sister islands do not cater to mass tourism, the reefs, wrecks and coral remain unspoiled and largely unexplored. In addition to every kind of coral imaginable and numerous species of colorful reef fish, Genada’s waters offer 10 shipwrecks to explore — most notably the Bianca C., a 600-foot-long Italian liner that sank near the coast in 1961. Grenada is also a haven for fishing and yachting enthusiasts. GRENADA GEOGRAPHY: Located in the eastern Caribbean, Grenada is the southernmost of the Windward Islands and lies 100 miles north of Venezuela and 12 degrees north of the equator. The State of Grenada, which includes Carriacou and Petit Martinique to the north, contains 133 square miles. Grenada itself is 12 miles wide and 21 miles long, with the capital city of St. George’s and most tourist facilities located on the southwestern tip of the island. The highest point is Mount St. Catherine at 2,756 feet above sea level. LANGUAGE: English. POPULATION: 102,000 approx. (2001 Census). CLIMATE: Average daytime temperatures range from 24ºC/75ºF to 33ºC/91ºF, tempered by the cooling trade winds. The nights are cooler. The lowest temperatures occur between November and February. It is cooler in the hills. Driest season is January to May. Rainy season is June to December. TIME: EST +1. GMT -4. 122 www.caribbeantravel .c om http://www.AirJamaica.com http://www.caribbeantravel.com
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