Month: June 2009

Holiday in Grenada

Posted by admin – June 24, 2009

If you are going on a package holiday tour of Grenada you are bound to discover that the Caribbean island is notorious for its spices and spice plantations. For this very reason it is known as the Spice Island of the Caribbean and is known world-wide for its nutmeg, cloves, ginger, cinnamon and allspice. Visitors to the island will no doubt be enticed by the sweet smell of various spices lingering in the air. The island’s spices are so popular that they are exported to other countries where they are used for many different purposes such as for use in patent medicines, top restaurants and beauty products.

With more spices in Grenada per square mile than anywhere else on the planet, it’s hardly surprising that spice plantations make up such a large part of the tourism industry. Not only do the spices taste good but many of them have healing properties which make them even more popular with tourists and locals. You can find anything from nutmeg oil which is good for aches and pains to clove which can help ease the pain of toothache.

When these Eastern spices were first introduced to Grenada they were a novelty to everyone on the island. Unfortunately though, the spice plantations were destroyed in the Orient but local plantation owners seized the opportunity and gradually the island’s spice industry was developed. The islanders are now very proud of their spices and are one of the world’s major suppliers of nutmeg and mace.

One of the attractions of your Caribbean holiday will be a visit to the working spice estates as part of your package holiday tour of Grenada. Two popular options are the Douglaston Spice Estate and the Gouyave Nutmeg processing station. Douglaston Spice Estate is a historical monument to Grenada’s past where most of the spices are grown and receive primary processing. The Nutmeg Processing Station is one of the largest nutmeg processing factories on the island and as the second largest producer of nutmeg in the world, Grenada accounts for about a third of the world’s supply. Tours are available to both of these plantations as well as many more sites as well.

Regardless of what kind of package holiday tour of Grenada you have chosen, make sure that you visit one of the spice plantations as it’s bound to be a talking point for the duration of your holiday in Grenada.

The Royal City of Holland

Posted by admin – June 6, 2009

The Hague is Hollands Royal City has a rich history and tradition. It is not the capital of Holland, although it is the seat of the government and has some wonderful architecture including the Houses of Parliament. The Hague is the traditional seat of Hollands royal family and has three beautiful royal palaces.

It has more square shopping metres than any other city in Holland. Down town boasts dozens of antique and art stores and upscale apparel and jewellery shops. The main pedestrian streets stretching towards the Grote Marktstraat and are always busy with shoppers. This is where the department stores are located, including V&D, Hema, C&D and De Bijenkorf.

The Hague has a varied nightlife, which follows the latest trends and changes constantly.

The Hague has a famous night in the whole of Holland it is the eve of Queen Beatrix’ birthday. The whole of downtown in The Hague becomes one big, swinging party with shows by various well-known bands, new musical talent and a festive fair around the Hofvijver pond. This night is called KoninginneNach.

It has two beaches one Scheveningen with the harbour buzzing with activity, while screeching seagulls hover around the fishing boats coming in. The other is the quiet seaside resort Kijkduin and is worth visiting. A romantic walk on the beach, followed by a nice meal in one of the small restaurants on the boulevard. Or, if you feel like doing something a bit more active, a bracing walk or cycle tour in the dunes.

The Prison Gate is the former prison of the Court of Holland. It was only for capital crimes like murder or forgery, or crimes against the monarch. Could end up in the Prison Gate. Lesser crimes were treated by the municipal court of law. The museum has an unique collection of punishment and torture devices that originate from different courts of justice of various Dutch cities.

The Hague and close region features some thirty museums. Mauritshuis is one on them. The mansion of Johan Maurits, governor-general of Dutch Brazil, Count of Nassau Siegen, arose in about 1640. The core of the collection consists of masterpieces from the Dutch Golden-Age, including excellent paintings by Vermeer, Rembrandt, Steen and Frans Hals. The works on permanent displays provide a magnificent panorama of Dutch and Flemish art from 15th to 17th century; from Flemish primitives to sun lid landscapes, from biblical characters to meticulous still lifes, and from calm interiors to humorous genre scenes.