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Granada in Nicaragua is a wonderful base to spend several days. Just over an hour’s drive from Managua, Granada is a complete contrast to the busy Nicaraguan capital. Everything you find in Nicaragua – it’s volcanoes, lakes, colonial towns and friendly people – you find in or close to Granada. Over the last few years, a number of charming small hotels – with no more than two-dozen rooms – have opened to cater for the increasing number of people visiting the city. The town and surrounding areas of interest are still unspoilt as tourist destinations. On the edge of the town is Lake Nicaragua, which itself is dominated by the twin volcanoes on the island of Ometepe. There are 365 small islands close to the shores of Granada and some of these can be visited during a short cruise, best done in the early evening where you can see more birdlife. The lake can be overlooked by other attractions in the vicinity of Granada; the Mombacho Volcano Reserve and also the active Masaya Volcano which still emits a constant amount of sulphur. The neighbouring towns are renowned for their handicrafts including the pottery making town of San Juan del Oriente and all things Nicaraguan can be found at the large market in Masaya.