If you're itching to escape, the Caribbean island of Grenada is a mellow and relaxing spot for some serious to-hell-with-the-laptop-cell phone-Blackberry (even TV) downtime.
A major source of nutmeg, cinnamon, ginger and cloves, Grenada - dubbed "the Spice Island" - has more spices per square mile than anywhere else in the world. It's also one of the Caribbean's most lush islands, with its mountainous interior and volcanic origins. And the best thing about Grenada: somehow this nutmeg-scented island has remained untouched by major tourism. It’s the real-deal kick-back Caribbean vibe.
Hire a boat and sail to Carriacou or Petite Martinique for the day (Grenada’s sister islands), take in some of the best diving in the Caribbean (there are more than thirty dive sites and the biggest shipwreck in the region – the Bianca C). Alternatively, Adventure Jeep Tours will take you river tubing or trekking in the rainforest. Or simply bask on a secluded beach. Bathway Beach, a white-sand idyll on the northeastern tip of the island, is perfect for a lazy day and a picnic of barbecued chicken.
Our favorite place to chill out: Laluna, a Little Italy outpost right on the beach. The sixteen Balinese-style cottages have spectacular views and the hotel’s Calabrian owner imports fresh food and wine from Italy, meaning there’s always olives, pasta, prosciutto and the like available. Grab a glass of Prosecco under the palms or some of Laluna’s snorkeling gear and take to the waves – the undersea spectacle in these diamond-clear waters is unmissable.
Our tip: get to Grenada before the rest of the world does. You won’t miss the Blackberry!
