MARTINIQUE
MARTINIQUE BEACHES
CARIBBEAN BEST
Martinique is an overseas department of France, with all the benefits of being part of the European Union, and combining this with the Caribbean culture, idiosyncrasy and music in an extremely beautiful environment, which results in probably the most elegant beaches in the world.
Martinique is big enough to have mountains, rivers, woods, and large flower gardens, and of course, coral reefs and impressive coves which stand out from the best Carribbean beaches. In fact, the famous Fort de France, situated on a lovely bay, and Caravelle peninsula are one of the most beautiful places on the island, offering more than 100 coves which make the south of Martinique an area with the best beaches for yachting.
Perhaps the best beach in Martinica can be found in Salinas, in the most southern part of the island, with its outstanding white sand, its lush vegetation and its incredible crystal water.
WHERE TO STAY AND WHAT TO DO
Martinique has a Wide range of French style hotels for international tourists, but you can also stay overnight on a yacht.
You can visit the museum Musée de la Pagerie, where Napoleonīs empress Josephine was born, and where you can see striking gardens and displays of the empressīs objects, like for example, her passionate love letters.
Or you can visit Saint Pierre ruins, formerly called "the Paris of the Caribbean", which used to be the capital of the island and which in May every year hosts a jazz festival to commemorate the devastating eruption of Mount Pelee in 1902.
Another important museum is Gauguin Museum, located in the house where the artist once lived and in the area where Christobher Columbus landed in 1502. An interesting activity is visiting the old rum destilleries in Saint Marie and Macouba, where you can taste this delicious drink, always taking into account that local rum is twice as strong as the export rum we are used to.
WHEN AND HOW TO GO
You can get there by plane, on a direct flight from Miami, Puerto Rico, Paris, New York or London, or from other cities, getting a connecting flight to Antigua or Barbados.
Martinique can be visited any time of year, but if you want to enjoy the world famous Carnival of Mardi Grass, you must travel in February or March.
2. Eleuthera (Bahamas)
3. Punta Cana (Dominican Rep.)
4. Martinique
5. Cayman Islands
6. Curacao
7. Grenada
8. Bermuda
9. Pearl Islands (Panama)
10. Varadero (Cuba)
