| If you are looking for the true French Experience but | | | | Francois). Lamentin International Airport is very |
| prefer to enjoy it in tropical climes, consider Martinique. | | | | convenient to the major vacation locales. |
| More so than its French neighbors, Guadeloupe and St. | | | | In which location you should stay depends on the type |
| Barts, Martinique is the social and cultural center of the | | | | of vacation you prefer. If history and charm are to |
| French Antilles. | | | | your liking, Fort-de-France might be your choice. The |
| The reasons to vacation in Martinique are far more | | | | city dazzles with New Orleans-style iron grille work, |
| than its French ambience. The exotic island contains | | | | flowers and fascinating people of Creole descent. But, |
| beautiful sandy-white beaches and lush rainforests. Its | | | | you probably will not want to stay in Fort-de-France if |
| people, the Martiniquaise, are both charming and | | | | you prefer a beach vacation. You would need to hop |
| elegant. | | | | on a ferry to get to the sand and sea. |
| Martinique's terrain is mountainous, especially in its | | | | If a relaxing vacation is your preference, you might |
| northern rainforests, where the volcano Mantagne | | | | want to book accommodations in Pointe du Bout, |
| Pelee rises to a height of 4,582 feet. As you travel to | | | | across the bay from Fort-de-France. Pointe du Bout is |
| the island's center, the mountains are smaller, with | | | | the site of Martinique's major hotels. It's also a |
| Carbet Peak's summit reaching 3,897 feet. Martinique's | | | | destination for tennis, water sports and, in nearby Les |
| southern portion has hills, known as mornes, that peak | | | | Trois-Ilets, a Robert Trent Jones-designed golf course. |
| at just below 1,400 feet. | | | | However, while the beaches of Pointe du Bout have |
| Martinique's shape is irregular, with five bays and | | | | white sand and are clean, they tend to be small, which |
| dozens of coves. Martinique's western shore faces | | | | makes them crowded. |
| the Caribbean, and its eastern edge borders the | | | | A better option for beaches if you are staying in |
| Atlantic. About a third of the population of 360,000 | | | | Pointe du Bout is driving or taking a taxi just south to |
| resides in Fort-de-France, the capital and largest city. | | | | Anse Mitan, where the beaches are large and less |
| The island almost always feels mild, with year-round | | | | crowded, and the water is crystalline. |
| temperatures of 75 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit. It's kept | | | | Though the largest resorts are in Pointe du Bout, the |
| cool by a tropical breeze called alize. Rain showers | | | | best places to stay are scattered throughout the |
| are frequent, especially during Fall, but last mere | | | | island. For families, the kid-friendly Hotel Carayou in |
| minutes. | | | | Pointe du Bout is a terrific choice. The historic |
| Vegetation is bountiful in Martinique's lush rainforests, | | | | Habitation LaGrange in Grand-Rivere at the island's |
| including hibiscus, poinsettias, coconut palms, | | | | north end is stellar. The Cap Est Lagoon Resort & |
| bougainvillea and mango trees. Fruits sprouting from | | | | Spa near Le Francois on the Atlantic side is |
| the island's soil encompass pineapples, bananas, | | | | Martinique's finest property. |
| papayas, avocados and custard apples. | | | | Pointe du Bout has a smattering of decent restaurants, |
| Flavorful food plays a big role in Martinique's | | | | such as La Villa Creole and Le Pacha. Martinique's |
| personality, and excellent Creole cooking goes along | | | | most honored dining spots are in the Cap Est Lagoon |
| with Creole customs and traditions that still flourish. | | | | Resort & Spa near Le Francois. They are a duo |
| Other cuisines represented in fine restaurants are | | | | made up of the informal Le Campeche for lunch, |
| French and Caribbean. | | | | specializing in Creole, and the romantic Le Belem at |
| In addition to Fort-de-France, Martinique's vacation | | | | dinnertime, offering French and Antilles fare. |
| spots are Pointe du Bout, The South Loop (comprised | | | | Martinique dream vacations are easy to book on the |
| of Le Diamant, Ste-Luce, Le Marin and Ste-Anne) and | | | | Internet. Companies such as Travel Impressions will |
| The North Loop (consisting of Le Carbet, Montagne | | | | guide you through building your dream trip. If you prefer, |
| Pelee, Grand-Riviere, Le Marigot, Trinite and Le | | | | you can create your own custom holiday. |