Choosing a holiday together is rather like trying to get into a double hammock. All that planning and team work is a lot harder than it looks. The trick is to find a destination that offers enough activities (and inactivities) to keep both of you happy. Cue steel band drum-roll and enter Grenada…
On the beach Grand Anse, Grenada's most celebrated beach, is on the south of the island. And it only takes one glimpse to send thrills up and down any beach bunnies' spine. The vanilla-sugar-sand is fringed with lush coconut palms and there are pools of shade under the twisty seagrape trees. This is the spot to suck in your stomach and perfect your Ursula Andrews impression. You'll feel every bit as glamorous as the sun glistens on the translucent sea and champagne waves sparkle and fizz on the shore.
Sporty types can get their kicks on Grand Anse too. Aquanauts are watersport specialists and can be found about halfway down the beach. They hire out sea kayaks and run snorkelling trips, whale-watching trips and diving courses. Or, if your energy levels are up to it, take a tip from the locals and run a couple of lengths of the beach in the cool of the early morning.
Capital charm
Across the bay from Grand Anse lies St Georges, the prettiest capital in the Caribbean. The town sums up the spirit of the island, with its old fashioned elegance and quirky little touches, like the old red phone boxes down by the harbour. Wander though the streets and you'll get a genuinely warm reception from the locals. St Georges is somewhere you can really relax and soak up the atmosphere. There are some excellent souvenir shops if you want to pick up a memento or head for the bustling spice market in the heart of town. Nutmeg, cinnamon and cloves are all grown on the island and there are lots of gift baskets for sale. After all that shopping, cool down in a local café and watch the world meander by. The Nutmeg café has a sparkling view of the harbour and is a firm favourite with locals and visitors.
Caribbean culture
If you want to explore a bit more of the island and its culture, take a guided tour. The Grenada Board of Tourism offer fantastic trips around the coast and into the rainforest, where you'll get a chance to swim at the foot of a waterfall. You'll visit a fragrant spice plantation and a rum distillery, where the gaspingly-strong sample will put a smile on your face for the rest of the day. Lunch is at a graceful old plantation house. You'll get the chance to taste traditional home-cooked West Indian dishes such as rice and peas and curried fish. Then, just when your taste buds think things can't things can't any better, you'll head off for a quick tour around the Grenada Chocolate Company. The tiny solar-powered enterprise makes organic chocolate that's exported all over the world and the aroma alone is enough to sweep you off your feet.
Island romance
After all that exploring, why not treat yourselves to a couples massage at Spice Island's very own spa or head to the bar for a cocktail and watch the sunset turn the Caribbean from blue to gold. Then take a stroll along the beach and try out one of the double hammocks. There's nothing quite like watching the stars come out as you swing together underneath the palms.
Spice Island Beach Resort
is right on the shore of Grenada's beautiful Grand Anse beach. An Oleander Garden View Suite costs from £370 per night on an all-inclusive basis during peak season. For more information, call 001 473 444 4423 or visit www.spiceislandbeachresort.com
Getting there
XL Airways offer return flights to Grenada for £259. For more information, call 0870 1690 169 or visit www.xl.com
Grenada Board of Tourism For island tours and tourist information visit www.grenadagrenadines.com or email grenada@representationplus.co.uk
