GORGEOUS GRENADA

Sun, spices and incredible beaches await on this Caribbean island

- RORY BUCCHERI

WHY GO?

Grenada may be last in the chain of the Windward Islands, but with its tempting cuisine and generous hospitality, it deserves to be your first-choice destination. Known as the spice isle of the Caribbean, it offers palm-shaded beaches and nature-filled activities, giving options for relaxation and adventure.

SPICES GALORE

A former colonial outpost, Grenada was used to grow tobacco, coffee and spices. Today, food producers from chocolate farms to rum distilleries still dot the island, and much of their amazing wares are on show at the spice market in St George's, the capital. There's row upon row of cinnamon, mace, cloves, cacao, turmeric, hibiscus and rum. Grenada's best-known export, nutmeg, was introduced from Indonesia and was once used as a currency between colonial nations.

For a typical taste of Grenada, try its national dish, oil down, made of callaloo (a spinach-like leaf), breadfruit, green bananas, chicken and pork or salted cod, all soaked in spice.