Grenada wins Eighth Gold Medal at RHS Chelsea Flower Show

27 May 2010

Grenada’s pavilion at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2010 has won a coveted Gold Medal, the eighth to be awarded to the Caribbean island’s pavilion since 1998. The theme for this year’s winning exhibit, called ‘The Spice of Life – A Grenada Garden’ and created by Grenadian-born Suzanne Gaywood was inspired by the vibrant private gardens all over the island which burst with colour and fragrance year-round.

 

The colourful tropical plants, flowers and spices flown in from the island to recreate a traditional Grenadian homestead complete with sun-dappled veranda surrounded by blooms and spices attracted celebrities including Susan Hampshire.

 

Commenting on her team’s success, Suzanne Gaywood said: “We have organised the Grenada exhibit at Chelsea for the past 13-years and it is always a thrill to win a Gold Medal. The pavilion is a showcase for Grenada and encapsulates the lush flora and abundant spices that fill the sea breezes with their delicate fragrances. I’m delighted for each of the growers and gardeners involved and thank them for their hard work and dedication.”

 

Her Excellency Glynis Roberts, Minister for Tourism, visiting from Grenada, said: “We are delighted that Suzanne and her team have won their eighth Gold Medal. RHS Chelsea Flower Show is the ideal way to show off the quality, variety and beauty of the vibrant blooms growing in Grenada, and a great way to inspire people to visit the island.”

 

The High Commissioner for Grenada, H.E. Ruth Elizabeth Rouse was also at Chelsea and commented: “Chelsea is the ultimate gardening event and the exhibit created by Suzanne and her UK and Grenada team provides an authentic and inspiring vision of the Isle of Spice.”

 

All connected with the pavilion express their gratitude to the 2010 sponsors, namely: The Grenada Board of Tourism, Lanwades Stud, Peter de Savary (Port Louis and Mount Cinnamon Beach Hotel), SeaFreight Line, The Horticultural Society Of  Grenada, & Individual Society Members, Coyaba Beach Resort, John and Joan Buckenham, John & Fay Miller, Reg & Trish Scarlett, British Airways (Grenada), and Cécile La Grenade.

 

Special thanks are also due to the individuals in Grenada and the UK without whose commitment and hard work the enduring success of the Grenada pavilion would not be possible: Catherine John, Kim Henry, John Criswick, Albert St Bernard, Suzanne and Peter Gaywood, Brian and Sue Cumming, Dave and Jane Weedon, Ivor and Gill Brearley, Kester  Worme and Florence Richards.

 

In October this year, Suzanne Gaywood will escort the first specialist guided tour of Grenada’s gardens and spice plantations providing an opportunity for UK travellers to discover for themselves the exotic flowers and spices that have inspired her winning team over the years. The seven night Gardens & Spice Plantations Tour of Grenada is available exclusively through Golden Caribbean (020 8328 0645) and includes return flights, accommodation and unprecedented access to gardens, nurseries and plantations from £999 per person.

 

RHS Chelsea Flower Show remains open to the public until Saturday 29 May 2010.

 

For more information on Grenada, visit www.Grenadagrenadines.com.

 

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Chelsea Award-Winning Grenadian Gardening Guru Launches First Specialist Garden Tour

17 May 2010

Grenada’s gardens are set to welcome their first group of green fingered guests this October.  They’ll be the first to explore the Caribbean island’s exotic flora with a new seven night guided Garden and Spice Plantation Tour from Golden Caribbean (020 8328 0645) from a tidy £999pp including flights.

Offering insights as the group explores eight private and public gardens, nurseries and plantations will be Grenada-born gardening guru Suzanne Gaywood, whose Grenada exhibit at The Chelsea Flower Show has attracted 12 awards, 7 of them Gold, over 12 years, including Gold  at last year’s show. Gaywood sources blooms for her winning pavilions from several of the gardens and nurseries on the tour.

Renowned for its lush landscape and verdant tropical rainforest, Grenada offers enthusiasts rare orchids and palms, exuberant flowering shrubs, trees, and scented spice groves. The Garden and Spice Plantation Tour, designed for just twelve travellers, offers unprecedented access to Grenada’s most colourful and fragrant gardens including Hyde Park Gardens – home to dozens of rare orchid species; The Bay Gardens – populated with over 5,000 plant species across garden and forest; and Smithy’s Garden – studded with mahogany trees and located 1,000ft above sea level.

Garden and Spice Plantation guests will learn about the historic capital of St George’s and the heritage of the island’s indigenous peoples with local historians. They’ll have ample time to join in the festivities in  the fishing village of Gouyave and discover the island’s bustling markets, pristine beaches and mouth watering cuisine.

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Notes to editors:

Golden Caribbean offers this new, fully-guided Grenada Garden and Spice Plantation Tour with Suzanne Gaywood from the 6th-13th October from £999 per person including: return economy class flights from Gatwick; taxes; seven nights accommodation including breakfast; and guided access to eight gardens, nurseries and plantations. Based on two adults sharing three star accommodation. Four and five star properties  are available and additional activities including a day trip to sister island Carriacou can be arranged. Places are limited and subject to availability.

Itinerary:

Day 1: Fly from Gatwick to Grenada and savour a sunset cocktail at check-in.

Day2 : Discover historic capital St George’s with a local historian and writer then visit Hyde Park Gardens to see rare palms, cycads, crotons, heliconias, bougainvillea and other tropical plants.

Day 3: St Rose Nursery, where many of the flowers and foliage used at Grenada’s Chelsea display are grown, then explore the tropical Grand Etang rainforest before lunch at Belmont estate, producer of organic cocoa, and traditional celebrations at fishing village Gouyave’s Fish Friday festivities.

Day 4: Escorted visits to five-acre Sunnyside Gardens and the lush Smithy’s Garden to meet local Horticulture Society and Orchid Circle members.

Day 5: Optional day visit to Carriacou, sister island of Grenada.

Day 6: The Bay Gardens, home to over 5,000 plant species, and the private Gemrose Eden or Laura Herb & Spice garden not normally open to the public.

Day 7: Free day to explore the island; optional visit to LaSagesse Nature Centre and Restaurant.

Day 8: Overnight flight departs Grenada.

About Suzanne Gaywood

Over the past 12 years Suzanne Gaywood’s Grenada exhibit at the Chelsea Flower Show has won 12 awards:

·         Gold (2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2007, 2009)

·         Silver-Gilt (1999 2000, 2006, 2008)

·         Silver ( 1998)

·         Click here for details of the 2010 pavilion and Grenada’s gardens.

Grenada Board of Tourism set to reveal plans at Unite Caribbean

17 February 2010

The Grenada Board of Tourism hosted an informal forum attended by the UK-based representatives of the Caribbean island’s accommodation this week. The team, headed by Director, Sharon Bernstein offered representatives from hotels, resorts and villas an outline of proposed activity and anticipated closer relationships with the UK representatives including regular meetings.

Grenada expects to unveil its activity portfolio at Unite Caribbean in London next month, including details of key tour operator partnerships and a calendar of tour operator and travel agent fams.

Bernstein said: “Our strategy is a response to changing buying patterns and will include investment in the bridal and dive markets which we believe set Grenada apart. Regular representatives forums and improved communications will help ensure we work as one team to market these key areas, as well as Grenada’s flora and fauna, sporting events and cruise tourism.”

Contact the Grenada Board of Tourism team at grenada {at} eyes2market.co(.)uk and find out more at www.Grenadagrenadines.com

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Online Travel Research Easier as WorldReviewer.com adds travelguru.tv Destination Videos

15 February 2010

Award-winning holiday ideas website World Reviewer (www.worldreviewer.com) now offers first-hand broadcast quality video reports on destinations from Barbados to Spitsbergen provided by travelguru.tv (www.travelguru.tv), making online travel research easier.

World Reviewer features dozens of video reports by travelguru.tv presenters including USA specialist Kathy Arnold exploring Boston, travel editor David Wickers captivated by Catalonia and Wish You Were Here…? presenter John Carter seeking winter sun in Malta.

World Reviewer founder James Dunford Wood said: “We’ve made it even simpler to make well-informed holiday decisions with our extensive and growing video library of high quality expert-led destination reports, supported by our thousands of travel experiences reviewed by specialists.”

travelguru.tv managing director, Cathy Bartrop, added: “Our professionally shot first hand video reports breathe life into the online research process. The combination of World Reviewer’s high quality editorial content, broadcast quality video and great value holiday offers from trusted specialist operators provides an unrivalled one-stop resource for discerning travellers looking for qualified recommendations and honest advice.”

Once inspired, visitors can enquire about specific offers or seek assistance with tailor made travel plans by calling travelguru.tv consultants on 0845 602 9833.

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Notes to editors
Travelguru.tv, launched in January 2008, is the video based website providing a unique combination of inspiring travel video reports presented by respected travel experts and exceptional holiday offers from a selection of the UK’s specialist tour operators.

Worldreviewer.com, a part of the James Media Group, founded in October 2007 by James Dunford Wood and James Blackwell, makes the experience of finding ideas and planning holidays fun, offering the latest technology to provide inspirational and authoritative travel advice that is visually appealing and practically useful.

Grenada - latest news on flights, festivals, hotels

4 February 2010

NEWS UPDATE FROM GRENADA

 

4 February, 2010

2010 marks the 300th anniversary of the completion of Fort St George, the imposing edifice that commands unrivalled views over capital St George’s and the Caribbean Sea. Full details of anniversary celebrations available soon at www.Grenadagrenadines.com

 

The 29-beachfront room Kalinago Beach Resort   (www.kalinagobeachresort.com) opens in mid-February on peaceful Morne Rouge Bay surrounded by almond trees. A short drive from the capital St George’s, the resort is an ideal wedding location. Double rooms from £48 pppn.

 

Mount Hartman Bay Estate (www.mounthartmanbay.com) has just opened the Cave House and Folly, with just eight suites. Built into the hillside on its own private peninsula, this Gaudiesque property boasts its own beach protected by coral reefs, a dining room that opens up on two sides to terraces, and an internal waterfall. From £730 per suite per night.

 

In mid-February, Horizon Yacht Charters and Management (www.horizonyachtcharters.com) opens an office at Camper and Nicholsons Port Louis Marina (www.cnportlouismarina.com) in St George’s offering yacht charter, management and brokerage at the well protected, in water location.

 

Le Phare Bleu Marina & Resort (www.lepharebleu.com) – with its unique restored Swedish Light Ship restaurant Västa Banken – is the focus for the second annual South Grenada Regatta (www.southgrenadaregatta.com), 26-28 February, set to attract sailors from around the world. Mark Banthorpe recently joined as Executive Chef from Spice Island Beach Resort and has created a romantic pre-dinner sundowner area on the top deck as well as revitalising the menu with contemporary dishes using local ingredients. 

 

Dive Grenada (www.divegreanda.com) is part of the ‘renaissance’ of Grenada’s Underwater Sculpture Park that starts with a brand new sculpture designed and produced in Grenada and set to be installed in February.

 

The Grenada Classic Yacht Regatta (www.grenadaclassicregatta.gd) brings lovingly-restored yachts from around the world for three days’ racing, 4-7 March, setting off from Bel Air Plantation (www.belairplantation.com) to Prickly Bay, with a regatta party at True Blue Bay Resort’s (www.truebluebay.com) Dodgy Dock bar, one of the hottest spots on Grenada.

 

  

British Airways (www.ba.com) increases flights from London Gatwick to Grenada from one to two services per week on 28 March 2010, operated by Boeing 777 aircraft with three-class configuration. Winter flights operate via Antigua, departing Tuesdays and Fridays; summer flights operate via Barbados, departing Tuesdays and Sundays.

 

Petite Anse (www.petiteanse.com) offers nine sea view chalets and two deluxe suites, ideal for honeymooners, on the northern coast of Grenada. New British chef Jamie Morpeth is creating fresh and locally sourced menus including fish specialities.

 

La Luna (www.laluna.com) is offering a Vinyasa Yoga Teacher Training Course with 200-hour certification, 9-24 April. Led by yoga teacher Michelle Maue, lessons are held in La Luna’s spectacular beachfront yoga pavilion from 7am to 7pm daily and encompass Ashtanga, Iyengar and Vinyasa. Places are limited; from £3,025 pp inc. course and accommodation.

 

The Carriacou Maroon & String Band Music Festival, 23-25 April, offers the chance to hear first hand the traditional ‘maroon’ – an expression of gratitude for harvest and praying for successful planting. The three-day festival on Grenada’s sister isle comprises of traditional songs, dance, drumming and fresh street food.

 

Lime Tree Lane (www.limetreelane.com) is organising a seven night culinary tour in April embracing three dinners at Rhodes Restaurant, time to explore the food markets of St George’s, an introduction to cooking with Grenada’s spices – including cinnamon, nutmeg and allspice - dinner at Mount Hartman Bay Estate…and more. From £2,599 pp including flights, accommodation, tours and meals.

 

Grenada will once again wow the crowds at the Chelsea Flower Show, 25-29 May. In 12 years, the island’s Grand Pavilion has won seven Gold Medals with Grenadian-born, Essex-based Suzanne Gaywood’s designs showcasing the best of the island’s luxuriant flora. Inspired, explore the rainforest around the Grand Etang Forest Reserve, high up in the mountains boasting towering mahogany and giant gommier trees as well as ferns and tropical flowers. Lizards, frogs, exotic birds, armadillos and Mona Monkeys abound.

 

 

 

DISCOVER MORE ABOUT GRENADA, CARRIACOU & PETITE MARTINIQUE AT WWW.GRENADAGRENADINES.COM

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