Grenada excursions an off-the-beaten-path experience

ST.

ST. GEORGE’S, Grenada – From its position at the far southern tip of the Windward Islands chain, Grenada offers visitors a distinctive, off-the-beaten path experience as well as a combination of activities, attractions, and historic sites that are hard to find in any other port of call.

The Grenada experience begins when a cruise ship pulls into port and passengers get their first glimpse of the Caribbean’s most beautiful natural harbor, which is accented by the vibrant red and orange rooftops of the island’s 300-year old capital, St. George’s. The Port of St. George’s can accommodate large cruise ships, able to berth up to two vessels simultaneously at the Melville Street Cruise Terminal. A third vessel can berth at the northern end of the main quay, and a fourth can anchor in the outer harbor, with passengers brought ashore in tenders. Located on the downtown waterfront of the capital, the Port provides excellent bus and taxi transfer of passengers to waiting tours.

Passengers can walk through the Sendall Tunnel to enter the heart of St. George’s, a city overflowing with history and architectural treasures. Stroll along the famous Carenage, the oldest and most picturesque part of St. George’s, and view the Christ of the Deep statue. Exploring the quaint cobblestone alleys; visiting the craft shops, boutique stores, and art galleries; and experiencing authentic Grenadian cuisine at one of the many cafes and restaurants in St. George’s is a perfect way to spend the day.

Known as the “Spice Isle” for the myriad exotic spices that perfume the island, passengers can walk over to the Market Square, which is just a block inland from the cruise terminal. Visitors will be enchanted by the scents of nutmeg, ginger, peppers, cinnamon, turmeric, and a host of other spices fresh from picking and processing.

For the active visitor, Grenada offers everything from snorkeling and diving to hiking and more. Snorkel or dive the world’s first Underwater Sculpture Park. Dive a multiplicity of shallow shipwrecks and colorful reefs. Trek into the island’s lush rainforests or visit one of Grenada’s extinct volcanoes in the Grand Etang Forest Reserve and Lake. Travel back in time by visiting one of the island’s active plantation estates or take a guided tour to one of the rum distilleries and the Gouyave Nutmeg Processing Station.

For beach lovers, Grenada offers 45 pristine beaches that are guaranteed to fulfill the need for a day in the sun. Passengers can take a 15-minute water taxi ride to the world famous two-mile-long Grand Anse Beach and enjoy a variety of water sports, soaking up rays on the white powder sand or liming at one of the beach bars.

The Grenada Discovery Train, a little trolley inspired by a 1960s steam locomotive, takes visitors on a 35-minute tour through the narrow streets of St. George’s making a total of 6 stops along the way. Visitors can get off at historical landmarks such as the Roman Catholic Church, Fort George, and others. The train provides passengers with free admission to some attractions before the tour ends at the cruise terminal.

Senator Hon. Brenda Hood, Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry of Tourism, Civil Aviation, and Culture, and Ms. Nicole Moultrie of the Grenada Board of Tourism (GBT), will be representing Grenada in Booth 3206 at the Seatrade Cruise Shipping Convention in Miami, March 11-14, 2013.

Recognized as the “Spice of the Caribbean,” Grenada boasts some of the Caribbean’s most beautiful beaches, delectable cuisine and spices, a tropical rainforest, and a wide range of fun-filled activities such as diving, snorkeling, hiking, fishing, and sailing. Romantic, natural, and authentic, all of nature’s best gifts can be found in Grenada.

Grenada is a proud member of the International Council of Tourism Partners (ICTP). The destination was listed by National Geographic Traveler, among the “Best of the World 2013” as one of the 20 Must See Places in 2013. In March 2012, the island’s Underwater Sculpture Park was recognized as one of the “Wonders of the World – Earth’s Most Awesome Places” by National Geographic. It was also cited for having both the “Best Wreck Diving” and the “Best Advanced Diving” in the Caribbean/Atlantic region by Scuba Diving magazine in the 2012 Reader’s Choice Awards. Grenada was recently recognized as one of the Top 25 Destinations in the Caribbean in the TripAdvisor’s 2012 Travelers’ Choice Awards.

For more information about Grenada, please contact the Grenada Board of Tourism at 1-473-440-2279/2001, e-mail [email protected], visit http://www.grenadagrenadines.com, or connect on:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/discovergrenada
Twitter: http://twitter.com/discovergrenada
Flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/grenadagrenadines
YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/grenadagrenadines

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Avatar of Linda Hohnholz

Linda Hohnholz

Editor in chief for eTurboNews based in the eTN HQ.

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