Grenada, dubbed the 'Spice Island' because of its impressive production of nutmeg, mace, cinnamon, ginger and cloves, is a heady mix of idyllic tropical rainforests, valleys, terraced gardens and rivers that fall away to white-sand beaches, bays and craggy cliffs. St George's, the beautiful capital, gives Grenada a small-town character, with a dash of dynamic sophistication. Its harbour, known as a Carnenage, is one of the prettiest in the Caribbean.

Best time to visit

All year round.

Essential experiences

Swimming at glorious Grand Anse beach; taking the ferry over to lazy Carriacou island; walking around tiny Petit Martinique island; diving through the Grand Etang National Park; splashing about on the undeveloped sands of Bathways Beach.

In a few words, Grenada is

''the Spice Islands', the invasion led by former US president Ronald Reagan, Grand Anse beach, the Bianca C Shipwreck and smuggling.

Did you know?

Grenada produces one third of the world's nutmeg and that Scottish heritage on the island of Carriacou is evident in Highland-style cottages and traditional Celtic methods of boat building.