Grenada - Caribbean Paradise

Vegetarian/vegan holidays on the tropical island of Grenada

Relax in luxurious style

Imagine eating by candle-light in the comfortable wood-panelled dining room, dark pine doors opening onto the colonnaded veranda. Imagine a feeling of colonial comfort and convivial company, complemented by linen napkins and a gentle breeze cooling the tropical night. This is a place to unwind, sink into deep sofas, stare out to sea or at the rainforest covered mountains, breathe in warm tropical air, float in the eco-pool, take the local bus to St George’s for a stroll around the port or visit white-sand beaches, lined with coconut palms.....

The Venue

A wonderful rambling planter’s house, built in 1925, set back in the green hills above the little port of St. George’s. Built in a classically Caribbean style to benefit from the cooling breezes of the Trade Winds, it has magnificent views over mountains, lush gardens with exotic fruit trees and huge seascapes of the Caribbean and Atlantic. - The 25m long, ‘eco’ pool is ideal for swimming lengths. Amazingly it has no chlorine, the filtration system works with a mild salt solution. For the first time we found we could swim in a pool without using goggles. - St. George’s is easily reached by car (5 mins.) or the regular local bus (15 mins). There are some wonderful secluded beaches, and many other places to visit, if you wish to be active.

The Hosts

Mark and Mary Hardy are friendly, caring hosts. Originally in the music industry, they moved from the UK to Grenada in 2001, and have worked hard to create the ideal place for a quiet, health-oriented holiday, on this spectacular island. They have a circle of lovely Grenadian friends, who often drop by for a chat, adding to the warmth and homeliness of this amazing place. Mary is an enthusiastic and knowledgeable gardener. The house is surrounded by nearly 3 acres of private land, which is beginning to sprout many wonderful tropical plants.

The Accommodation

The ensuite accommodation is of a high standard. Their two comfortable letting rooms have been simply and very tastefully decorated. The Dragon Room has an emperor-size four poster bed and stunning views to the north, south and west, from a large private balcony. The Peacock Room, has one giant four poster bed and a small day-bed, stunning views to the east, south and west and also from its own large private balcony.

The Food

Both Mark and Mary cook with great flair and creativity, using many local vegetables and fruit. They bake their own bread, make their own tofu and soya milk, and use the best quality ingredients, organically grown where possible. After a week of this we felt wonderful, as if we had had a natural detox. Menus are wholely vegan, simple, beautifully prepared and suit the environment and the season. Although we eat dairy products, the food was so good that we never missed them. Delicious breakfasts and dinners are included every day and are served either on the veranda, or in their huge airy dining room. Lunches are available for US$20/GBP10 per person. At dinner, choose to dine quietly on your own, or ‘en-famille’.

Typical Breakfast:

Muesli, granola, home-made soya milk, delicious local fresh fruit salad (mango, pawpaw, grapefruit, orange, star fruit, bananas), home-made wholemeal bread and jam, tahini, really fresh juice, coffee or selection of teas.

Typical Lunch

• Carrot and beetroot salad with cashew nuts
• Lettuce with fresh basil and rosemary
• Tomatoes with parsley
• Plantain with olive oil, garlic and lemon
• Fresh home-made bread
• Fresh mixed juice (e.g. grapefruit, orange, papaya)

Typical Dinners

• Pumpkin & ginger soup
• Tofu kebabs with bulgur & hot pepper sauce
• Selection of salads
• Pineapple compote
• Sweet potato soup
• Rice 'n' peas with stuffed peppers & a hot salsa sauce
• Selection of salads
• Mango sorbet

Eco Principles

Mark and Mary are working towards sustainable tourism and are always looking for new and innovative ideas. All fresh foods are seasonal, organic (where possible) and locally grown. They are establishing their own organic fruit and vegetable gardens. Rain water is collected from the roof and filtered into a 40,000 gallon holding tank, then further filtered when pumped, into the house. It is filtered a third time for drinking and cooking purposes. The swimming pool is filled with rainwater and the pH balance, cleanliness and safety of the water are maintained by an electrolytic/saline system, ensuring that there are no damaging chemicals to harm the environment or you! All toilets have a 'half flush' facility to minimise the use of clean water. Hot water is provided by solar energy.

Weather & Special Considerations

We found the climate in February very pleasant and warm, with lots of sun and occasional showers. The North-East Trade Winds help to maintain steady temperatures which are usually in the 70s and 80s F. The best times are the 6 months December - May. The climate June - November can be more humid. The main construction material of the house is caste concrete, which makes it very solid, helping to withstand the occasional storm and impermeable to termites (essential in the tropics). The recently built 25 meter pool is long and narrow, like two lanes of a regular pool, great for swimming lengths.

Prices:

*The daily rate per person is: US$166 or GBP83 per person per night, based on sharing a double room; minimum stay is 5 nights.

Booking both rooms together, 20% discount.

Single accommodation: for single occupancy, the price is double (i.e. the same as for 2 persons).

Suggested minimum stay is 5 nights. The price includes:

• Breakfast each day
• Three course evening meal each day, including drinks
• Daily housekeeping service
• Laundry service
• Airport transfers
• Local government hotel taxes

Payment: We accept cheques on UK bank accounts, or you can transfer funds direct to our bank account. A deposit of 20% is required to confirm. Full payment is required, if booking within 9 weeks of departure.

How to Book

These are 'independent breaks', ideally suited to friends, couples and families travelling together, and individuals who like to travel alone.

• Please contact us to confirm availability
• Please call, email or fax us and request a ‘Grenada booking-form’
• We will invoice you for your stay

Getting There

There are direct flights to Grenada from London Gatwick Airport on:

Mondays:	Virgin Atlantic (flights may switch to Thursdays)
Tuesdays:	British Airways
Sundays:	Excel Airways

Virgin Atlantic and British Airways Tickets are available direct or from a variety of agents.

For Excel airways tickets try:

• Golden Caribbean, Tel: 01342 316900, goldencaribbean@aol.com
• Just Grenada, Tel: 01373 814214, justgrenada@planos.co.uk

Apart from these direct flights, some guests have found alternative routes to Grenada, usually either with BWIA (via Trinidad) or BA or Virgin Atlantic (via Barbados). For visitors leaving Grenada there is a US$19/EC$50 departure tax per person, payable at the airport.

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