Inspiration
The Platinum Coast & The Spice Island
Experience the Caribbean at its most refined with a twin-centre escape that pairs Barbados' chic shoreline with Grenada’s warm, untamed charm.
Rum, reefs and rainforest retreats
Over 12 luxurious nights, you’ll explore two distinctive islands, each offering a different rhythm, style and story.
This is the Caribbean in high definition: turquoise seas, palm-fringed beaches and local flavours that stay with you long after your return.
- The Platinum Coast
- Barbados
- Grenada
Nici Davies
With over 30 years of expertise at Travelwise, Nici specialises in family adventures, luxury ski holidays and indulgent beach escapes. Her extensive knowledge of diverse destinations allows her to offer the perfect suggestion, even when you're not exactly sure what you're looking for.
The Platinum Coast, Barbados
Barbados’ iconic west coast is known as the Platinum Coast for good reason. With golden sunsets, coral-white sands and some of the island’s most exclusive resorts, this is the glamorous side of the Caribbean, yet always with a warm Bajan welcome.
Spend your days unwinding at your beachfront hotel, cocktail in hand and the Caribbean Sea just steps away. Take a catamaran out across the clear waters to swim with turtles, or explore the colourful reefs on a guided snorkelling tour.
Barbados is made for food lovers, and the culinary scene here blends laid-back beach shacks with award-winning fine dining. For something extra special, we recommend a tasting menu at one of the island’s renowned oceanfront restaurants, or a rum pairing dinner under the stars.
In nearby Bridgetown, uncover the island’s colonial past with a stroll along the UNESCO-listed streets, or browse the boutiques and markets for handmade keepsakes. For something a little different, visit Hunte’s Gardens, a lush oasis tucked into a rainforest gully, bursting with orchids, ferns and birdsong.
Some extra inspiration…
Catamaran cruise and snorkelling: Set sail along the Platinum Coast, stopping to snorkel over shipwrecks and coral reefs teeming with marine life. Keep an eye out for turtles gliding through the water.
Harrison’s Cave: Venture underground to explore this extraordinary limestone cavern system, complete with stalactites, waterfalls and crystal-clear pools.
Mount Gay Rum distillery tour: Discover the story behind the world’s oldest rum and enjoy a guided tasting overlooking the sea.
Island jeep safari: Head off the beaten track through sugarcane fields and up to dramatic coastal viewpoints on a guided island adventure.
The Spice Island, Grenada
A short flight brings you to Grenada: the quieter, greener, more soulful sister in this Caribbean duo. Often overlooked, this island is one of the region’s best-kept secrets, known for its spice-scented air, cascading waterfalls and untamed beauty.
Split your stay between two of the island’s finest hotels, each offering a unique take on barefoot luxury. Grenada’s boutique resorts are known for their relaxed sophistication – think: whitewashed villas, hammocks on the beach and stylish menus built around the day’s local catch.
Spend a morning exploring the cobbled streets of St George’s, often described as the Caribbean’s prettiest capital, with its rainbow-painted houses and Georgian architecture. Or head inland to the Grand Étang rainforest to cool off in freshwater pools beneath jungle waterfalls.
Beach lovers will be drawn to Grand Anse, where the sand stretches on for two unspoilt miles. You can also visit spice plantations, kayak through mangrove lagoons or and watch the sunset with a glass of chilled sorrel punch.
On Tuesday and Thursday evenings, join in with island life at one of the open-air beach barbecues, with live steel pan music, local dishes and dancing beneath the stars.
From Spice Trails to Waterfall Pools in Grenada
There’s a certain magic to Grenada that unfolds slowly, like the scent of cinnamon warming in the sun. Spend a day discovering the island’s lush, inland beauty, starting with a visit to a working spice plantation, where you’ll trace the journey of nutmeg and cacao from tree to table. Wander through rows of clove and turmeric plants, learn traditional drying methods and taste the island’s distinctive flavours at their source. Then, head deeper into the rainforest for a guided hike to the Seven Sisters waterfalls – a series of cascading pools hidden beneath the canopy. Take a dip in the cool, clear water or simply pause and soak up the sounds of the jungle all around you. It’s an experience that captures Grenada’s essence: raw, restorative and utterly unforgettable.
Some extra inspiration…
While in Grenada:
Spice plantation tour: Learn how nutmeg, cocoa and cinnamon are grown and processed on a working plantation, with plenty of tastings along the way.
River tubing adventure: Drift down gentle rapids through the rainforest, surrounded by tropical flora and birdsong.
Seven Sisters waterfalls hike: Take a guided walk through the rainforest to one of the island’s most spectacular waterfall cascades, with the option to swim in the natural pools.
Underwater sculpture park: Snorkel or dive through this hauntingly beautiful marine installation off the coast of Molinere Bay – a world-famous underwater gallery that merges art with conservation.
Talk to our specialists to start planning your trip
