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Our E-newsletter - Exclusive for the Canadian Media
Welcome to the August edition of the monthly Grenada Board of Tourism e-newsletter. This issue features news regarding Grenada experiences by land and sea, bird watching opportunities on the Spice Island, a last call to enter for an exciting Grenada vacation giveaway, and an authentic tropical cocktail recipe.
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From majestic mountaintops to beautiful coral reefs: Experiencing the heights and depths of Grenada
The rich culture, majestic scenery and clear blue waters of Grenada provide tourists with an abundance of activities. Guests will find themselves overwhelmed with the variety of adventures that await them on both land and sea.
Land exploration can begin with the beautiful city of St. George's. Established at the beginning of the 18th century by the French, St. George's is considered one of the most picturesque cities in the Caribbean. The local merchants, elegant boutiques and robust food fare invigorate the French-influenced architecture and horseshoe shaped harbour. The West Indian and Creole inspired cuisine combined with local fruits and spices will tantalize the taste buds of the most sophisticated palates.
>> read more
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Grenada: A Birdwatcher's Paradise
With over 8,616 known species of birds around the world, bird watching has becoming one of the fastest growing sports in North America. The variety of subject and portability of equipment makes bird watching an ideal hobby to take on vacation. Avian enthusiasts visiting Grenada will be enthralled by the rare tropical species that make the island their home.
>> read more
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Cool down with a Tropical Cocktail
Coconut and pineapple are the ultimate tropical drink combination. There's no better way to cool down during the hot summer days than with this refreshing recipe:
Piña Colada
- 1 1/2 cups coconut milk
- 1 1/2 cups pineapple juice
- 1/2 cup pineapple tidbits
- 13 1/2 oz (385 mL) evaporated milk
- 1/4 cup light rum
- crushed ice
- pineapple slices for garnish
Combine coconut milk, pineapple juice, pineapple tidbits, evaporated milk and rum. Blend until smooth. Add ice and blend until creamy. Pour into tall glasses and decorate each glass with pineapple slice.
* For non-alcoholic version, simply remove rum.
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Have you always wanted to win a Grenada vacation? Last call for entries to the 'Spice it up in Grenada contest'
This is a last call for entries to the 'Spice It Up In Grenada' contest on
www.travel-travel-travel.com. Entries are due by August 31, 2006. The contest features an amazing grand prize consisting of:
- Round trip airfare from New York to Grenada compliments of Air Jamaica.
- Week long rental of an automatic, air-conditioned 4X4 vehicle, courtesy of David's Car Rental.
- Dinner at La Luna and the Beachside Terrace Restaurant at The Flamboyant Hotel, and lunch or dinner at La Sagesse Nature Center, surrounded by some of the island's most picturesque scenery.
- An island tour with Kennedy Tours highlighting Grenada's history and culture, and a fun day with Spice Kayaking & Eco Tours.
- The prize package also includes an Arawak Islands gift basket, a gift box from Grenada Chocolate Company, The Joys of Healthy Cooking in the Caribbean cookbook and The Rough Guide to the Caribbean guidebook.
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Grenada gets set to host Cricket Classic Festival
From October 5th to 12th 2006, Grenada will host the Grenada Cricket Classic Festival. Visitors to the island can enjoy the traditional game of cricket against a colorful festive background. Guests will be able to hobnob with international cricket stars at a variety of local festivities. Cricket Classic events include a pre Classics party at True Blue Bay Resort with live music, a post Classics party at the Aquarium Restaurant, and a beautiful sunset cruise.
For further information, visit www.grenadagrenadines.com
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Where to find the Grenada Board of Tourism
Please contact Karen Stephenson to find out about future events and trade shows in which the Grenada Board of Tourism will be participating. Karen can be reached by phone at 416-595-1339 or via e-mail tourism@grenadaconsulate.com
How to get to Grenada from Canada
Air Canada Vacations offers a non-stop flight from Toronto to Grenada from December to April (visit www.aircanadavacations.com). Air Canada and BWIA operate regularly scheduled flights from Toronto and Montreal to Barbados or Trinidad with connections on LIAT and Caribbean Star to Grenada. GG Tours and Titan Tours will operate a charter service during the summer and over the Christmas/New Year's period (www.ggtours.ca and www.titantours.com). Air Jamaica operates regular direct frights year round out of JFK in New York City.
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From majestic mountaintops to beautiful coral reefs:
Experiencing the heights and depths of Grenada:
The rich culture, majestic scenery and clear blue waters of Grenada provide tourists with an abundance of activities. Guests will find themselves overwhelmed with the variety of adventures that await them on both land and sea.
Land exploration can begin with the beautiful city of St. George’s. Established at the beginning of the 18th century by the French, St. George’s is considered one of the most picturesque cities in the Caribbean. The local merchants, elegant boutiques and robust food fare invigorate the French-influenced architecture and horseshoe shaped harbour. The West Indian and Creole inspired cuisine combined with local fruits and spices will tantalize the taste buds of the most sophisticated palates.
No Grenada land adventure would be complete without enjoying a hike on one of the island’s many beautiful nature trails in the Grand Etang National Park. Eco-tourists and outdoor enthusiasts alike will be impressed with the accessible, well-marked trails that explore the individual Ecosystems of the island. Visitors looking to enjoy a comfortable stroll that is suitable for the whole family can take the 15-minute Morne La Baye Trail., which starts directly from the Visitor Centre and proceeds along level ground to a clearly that reveals a panoramic appreciation of the surrounding terrain.
Those who are up for more of a challenge can enjoy the untamed, steep pathways of the St. Margaret’s Trail, which takes close to two hours to complete. Grenada offers a variety of hiking trails suitable for all skill levels. To learn more about Grenada’s hiking adventures, visit www.grenadagrenadines.com/hike.html
Visitors interested in learning about the environment and wildlife of Grenada are encouraged to visit the island’s many conservation areas. St. David's is home to one of the Grenada's most spectacular nature centers - La Sagesse. La Sagesse is composed of three beaches and lush flora with towering coconut trees and small estuary pockets, where salt water and fresh water meet. The mixing of salt and fresh water attracts a variety of tropical fish and birds, making La Sagesse one of the best places in Grenada to enjoy wildlife.
The calm turquoise waters surrounding Grenada are perfect for a variety of water activities. The island of Carriacou, Grenada's sister island, is famous for its snorkeling and dive sites. Water enthusiasts of all levels will marvel at the beautiful underwater gardens, tropical fish and undisturbed coral reefs that surround Carriacou.
More technical divers can explore the Bianca C, which is the largest shipwreck in the Caribbean. Popularly referred to as "the Titanic of the Caribbean" competent divers speak admirably of its stunning pull as a premier dive option. In addition, the vast reefs and numerous dive sights that surround Grenada allow aquanauts to explore without being crowded by other divers. Generally, divers can enjoy a solitary expedition or book a group tour with one of Grenada's many dive shops.
Visitors that prefer a shallow water experience can participate in a variety of in-land water activities. Concord Falls not only offers a spectacular waterfall view, it provides tourists with a refreshing swimming hole. Thrill seekers can enjoy a half-day of river tubing adventure in the rapids of the Balthazar River. Active adventurers can take a kayaking tour of some of Grenada's more secluded harbours, mangroves and rivers.
The year-round safe anchorage provided by the northern latitude of Grenada has created a bountiful boating community. Visitors can enjoy chartered yacht tours, or catch a warm breeze while aboard an elegant sailboat. The hospitable marine community of Grenada offers boating lessons and a variety of specialized tours. Sport-fishers can book a charter and enjoy a full or half day of fishing. The waters around Grenada are home to some of the most spectacular game fish in the Caribbean including sailfish, tuna, billfish and blue marlins.
For tourists interested in observing the marine life, Grenada offers whale-watching tours. The tropical waters play host to a variety of native and migratory whale species. Year-round visitors can catch a glimpse of dolphins, pygmy right, melon-headed, pygmy killer, pilot and sperm whales. From November through May, tourists are treated to such aquatic marvels as the humpback, Sel and killer whales pass though on their annual migration.
Another notable visitor is the rare Leatherback Sea Turtle. Each year from May through September, these prehistoric reptiles make an arduous journey from their feeding grounds in North America to their breeding grounds in the Caribbean. Grenada plays host to over 150 nesting females who bury their eggs on its warm shores. Visitors can view the turtles on Levera Beach, one of the most important conservation areas, but are asked to respect conservation efforts to protect the turtles.
From the majestic mountain views of Grand Etang to the unexplored beauty of the coral reefs, Grenada remains one of the most diverse and unspoiled islands in the Caribbean. For more information on Grenada land adventures, visit www.grenadagrenadines.com/explore.html
For more information on Grenada water adventures, visit www.grenadagrenadines.com/sail.html
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Grenada: A Birdwatcher's Paradise
With over 8,616 known species of birds around the world, bird watching has becoming one of the fastest growing sports in North America. The variety of subject and portability of equipment makes bird watching an ideal hobby to take on vacation. Avian enthusiasts visiting Grenada will be enthralled by the rare tropical species that make the island their home.
The various Eco-systems and lush vegetation of Grenada make it the perfect habitat for a range of birds. Spectacular raptors such as the Gree-Gree and the Hook-Billed Kite can be seen swooping down from atop the towering mahoganies of the Mount Qua Qua Trial. Graceful herons fish patiently in the crystal clear waters of Grand Etang Lake, while brightly plumbed wonders, such as the Antillean Crested Hummingbird, can be spotted among the many tropical blooms.
The Grenada Dove, the national bird of Grenada is possibly the most exciting and rarest avian native on the island. The subtly coloured specimen is very elusive in its natural habitat, but can be distinguished from its surroundings by its pale blue shimmering crown.
Though the Grenada Dove has been listed on the critically endangered species list for several years, Grenada conservation authorities have stepped in with a breed and release program. This program will ensure an increase in breeding pairs in the wild, and preserve the Grenada Dove for the enjoyment of future generations. The Grenada government has created strict guidelines in regards to forestry and habitat protection. New policies stress the importance of managing forests in order to maximize their contributions to both environmentally sound social and economic development.
One-ninth of Grenada's land mass is dedicated to national parks, natural sanctuaries and wildlife centers. Birders and Eco-tourists visiting Grenada will be inspired by the many nature-friendly hiking trails placed throughout the various Eco-systems. Eco-adventurers can take a gentle walk along the lush Morne La Baye trail or enjoy a more rugged hike along the untamed paths of the St. Margaret's trail.
The unique, unspoiled biodiversity of Grenada makes it the ideal place for birds and birders alike. For more information, visit www.grenadagrenadines.com/softa.html
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