Holidays in Grenada

• Scents of spices wafting in the air
• Thick rainforested interior
• Postcard-worthy beaches
• St George's is one of the Caribbean's most handsome capitals

Lush rolling hillsides sprinkled with vibrant tropical flowers as far as the eye can see. Scents of nutmeg wafting through the air. The calls of traders selling their wares at bustling weekend markets so thick with the smells of spices you can almost taste them. In short, Grenada is a delight for all of your senses.

A birds-eye view of Grenada is a real treat for those in search of an untamed paradise for a luxury holiday, its volcanic mountainous landscape swathed in emerald rainforest and mangroves, flecked with the bright colours of bougainvillea and oleander. It’s known as the ‘Spice Island’ for good reason and the plantations that patchwork its verdant interior – cinnamon, nutmeg, clove and ginger – read more like the essentials of a Creole cook’s larder.

While the sweet-smelling surroundings will leave a lasting impression, this is the Caribbean and Grenada doesn’t disappoint in the beach department either. Soft sands are abound, with the finest found along Grand Anse – justifiably one of the best beaches in the Caribbean and only steps from the charming capital of St George’s. Here, cheerful locals greet you as you wander its gorgeous Georgian architecture and colourful market – a sign its famous spices are never too far away…

Imagine flinging open your balcony or terrace doors for an unspoiled view of powder-soft sand or a lush hillside, married to the delicate scents of nutmeg, cinnamon and cloves? Well, this is what staying in Grenada is like. Its luxury resorts guarantee the most paradisal of Caribbean scenes with the beautiful smell of Grenadian spices drifting through the air.

While Grenada does have a dry season (January-May) and a wet season (June-December), it is an island well worth visiting at any time of year.

The dry season virtually guarantees sunshine, averaging temperatures around 28°C. Come the end of March, four species of turtle (hawksbill, leatherback, loggerhead and green) nest on Grenada’s north coast until the end of June. If you love a party like the Grenadians do, then pay a visit in May and June, when it hosts both a Chocolate Festival and Music Festival.

The rainy season might sound like a bad time to go on holiday but it’s generally good. Tropical showers rarely last more than an hour at a time and barely every day, even if they are more frequent than in the ‘dry’ half of the year. While not immune to hurricanes, Grenada sits south of the common cyclone path during the traditional hurricane season so it dodges a large portion of them. August sees Grenada’s greatest celebration, Spicemas Carnival, where steel pan orchestras, calypso bands and soca competitions entertain local and visitors alike.