Welcome Back to our New Blog Series (and to its new Friday home): Jamie’s Destination “Do”s and “Don’t”s, where our favorite Travel Planning Aficionado shares her wealth of knowledge and experiences about traveling the world! After every trip to a new destination, Jamie gives us her perspective as both a traveler, and a travel advisor, through a quick but comprehensive list of what to do or not do at each vacation location!
Since, as many of you who follow along know, Jamie recently returned from her tropical escape to Grenada, today’s blog will be all about her time on The Spice Island!
So Let’s Go to Grenada! But First…
Table of Contents
Jamie’s Destination “Do”s and “Don’t”s for Grenada
Top Favorites and Jamie’s “Must-Do” Experiences
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Tour the Island!
One of the best parts about the Caribbean having so many islands to visit is how uniquely different one island is from the next! The culture and distinct vibe of Grenada is different from any other island, and absolutely should be explored. The history of Grenada is so interesting to learn, especially while touring the Forts that played such a huge role in the island’s past. Pro-Tip: make sure your tour stops at the Rum Factory, where you should definitely taste the included samples!
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Visit the Spice Market
No trip to Grenada, The Spice Island, would be complete without a visit to the Spice Market, of course! Spices are such a part of Grenadian culture that they even created an annual event to celebrate their rich ancestral traditions, called Spicemas, which happens every August. Even without the celebration, going to a Spice Market will awaken your senses, allow you to understand the process of making spices, and also illustrate why Grenada is known as The Spice Island, after all. And, although cacao isn’t really a spice, don’t miss a visit to the House of Chocolate Museum, either!
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Dine at Butch’s Chophouse
If you are staying at Sandals Grenada, be sure to make at least one of your dinner reservations at Butch’s Chophouse (since Sandals is All-Inclusive, of course dinner is included with your stay, but you do often still need to make a reservation). The steak is amazing, as is all the food they serve, which is inspired by local flavors. Plus, the ambiance is fantastic, the perfect mix of elegant and cozy.
Top Tips that Jamie Learned Along the Way
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Go Snorkeling!
Grenada is known for its dive locations almost as much as it’s known for its spices, so going snorkeling and/or scuba diving while in Grenada is not something you should miss! The reefs are an incredible sight to see, but if you scuba dive, be sure to check out the unique underwater sculpture park, a dive location that has drawn divers from all over the world. Pro Tip: If possible, you might want to bring your own gear, at least for snorkeling. Although resorts and diving excursions will provide equipment, having your own is always more comfortable.
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Spring for a Room Upgrade
When you plan a vacation to be in a place with the bluest waters in the Caribbean, you’ll want to be in a room that has great views of those waters, and also of the mountains rising in the distance on the horizon. Having a room with a view, or even better, a balcony with a view, really does make a difference in a place like Grenada, where gazing at the ocean while relaxing in the comfort of your own space can do wonders for rejuvenating the body and soul!
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Take a Sunset Cruise
It goes without saying that sunrise and sunset are the most beautiful times of day, and, since not many of us would opt to get up before the sun rises on a relaxing vacation, sunset is the time to capitalize on the gorgeous landscape offered by the Caribbean. And the best way to take in the pinks, oranges and purples of the sunset sky is on a boat ride through the glistening waters! Many places, including All-Inclusive Resorts, offer Catamaran rides at sunset, or you could even take an excursion on a private yacht at sunset!
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Visit the Waterfalls
Grenada is home to a plethora of cascading waterfalls, which you can get to by taking excursions around the island. Some tours focus just on waterfalls, while others build in more experiences along the way; depending on where you’ve already explored, you can decide which tours offer what you want most, and get to see some classic Caribbean waterfalls!
Top “Must-Don’t”s, or Things Jamie Would Do Differently
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Don’t Miss Out on the Culture
While relaxing at your resort is an essential part of a restful vacation, wherever you go, experiencing the local culture is where the real transformative part of travel happens. Exploring traditions different from your own, learning from people whose life experiences don’t mirror yours, and discovering the history of an unfamiliar place are the things that open our minds and enrich our lives. Experiencing life in a different way than we do everyday is not just fun and exciting (though it is those too), it’s also so necessary, especially in our world today, in order to find ways to embrace the differences among us.
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Don’t Skip an Authentic Boat Tour of the Island
Although some resorts have included boat tours that sail around Grenada, you might want to venture out of your resort for this one. While a leisurely float is probably a more accurate description of the “boat tour” that’s included with some resorts, if you really want to see Grenada from the vantage point of the water, Jamie suggests opting for a sail with an agenda of sights to see to get a better experience.
And…That’s a Wrap on Jamie’s “Do”s and “Don’t”s of Grenada!
Ready to Plan?
Now that you have Jamie’s Expert Tips for Visiting Grenada, are you ready to plan all the “Must Do”s for your next Caribbean Vacation? Contact your Love of the Magic Vacations Travel Advisor today or email hello@LOTMV.com
Looking for more of Jamie’s Destination “Do”s and “Don’t”s?
So far, we have:
Jamie’s Destination “Do”s and “Don’t”s: Paris and Disneyland Paris
Jamie’s Destination “Do”s and “Don’t”s: Italy
Jamie’s Destination “Do”s and “Don’t”s: The Disney Wish
A new list comes out the Friday after Jamie returns from her latest trip!
And don’t forget to check out our Inspiring Itineraries as well, featuring a Perfect Plan for your next vacation, and highlighting a new destination each month!
Contact your favorite Love of the Magic Travel Advisor or email hello@LOTMV.com to start planning today!
