Martinique, "Island
of Flowers"
by clay
larroy
Traveling can
be an important part of your life, whether for business or for pleasure. Take
time each day to alleviate stress while traveling or
vacationing and you will thank yourself for it when you get back home. With all
the chaos, jet-lag, partying and other excitement of travel comes a whole lot
of stress on your mind and body. By the time most vacations are over, another
one is needed to recover so taking a few minutes each day to rejuvenate will
make it easier for you to resume your normal life when it's all over. When you want to
plan a vacation contact me!
With croissants and palm trees, all
perched near a live volcano, Martinique is the definition of a refined
French-Caribbean island – fashionable and elegant, with an abundance of
flora. Filled with ruins and monuments, Martinique has been French, with a
few interruptions, since 1635, and as an overseas department of France (since
1946), it revels in French history and savoir-faire. A leading destination for
European vacationers, it offers gorgeous beaches, great food and a variety of
accommodations - small, medium and resort.
Tourism is
important, but so are banana farming, cane raising, and the rum business. With
two world-class monarchs among its progeny - Napoleon's empress Josephine, and
Aimé Dubuc de Rivery, who was kidnapped at sea and made Sultana Validá, mother
of Turkey's Sultan Mahmoud II - the island delights in historical oddities. Its
many small museums focus on curiosities such as banana farming and ancient
island civilizations.
The outdoorsy
- especially hikers and horseback riders - will find plenty of guided
adventures among the steep, lush hillsides. Novice boaters are warned off the
choppy Atlantic side; windsurfers and board surfers will welcome the
challenges.
Things To Do
Family Attractions – From sightseeing trains to the
Butterfly Gardens and Mangofil, Martinique has much to offer families. There’s
even a U.S.-style water park called Aqualand featuring water slides, wave pool,
and young kids play area complete with its own pirate ship.
Ecotourism – Martinique’s natural wonders,
headlined by majestic Mount Pelée, inspire awe and wonder among eco-travel
enthusiasts. Two-thirds of the island is designated as protected parkland,
affording visitors a wide range of nature-themed vacation adventures – hiking
the island’s 27 well-marked trails, kayaking, canyoning, horseback riding,
enjoying a 4x4 tour, and more.
Cultural
Heritage – Birthplace of the famed poet, Aimé
Césaire, Zouk and Napoleon’s bride, Empress Josephine, Martinique boasts a rich
cultural heritage kept alive in the island’s 25+ museums and exciting annual
festivals.
Rhum – The Rum Capital of the World,
Martinique is home to 12 brands, each produced utilizing a unique rhum agricole
method yielding blends comparable to fine cognacs. Martinique rhums are the
only rums to carry the exalted Appellation d’Origine Contrôlée (AOC)
designation formerly reserved for the finest wines. Free tasting is available
at all of the island’s distilleries.
Scuba Diving – The best-kept secret in
Caribbean diving, Martinique offers abundant marine life, historic shipwrecks
and healthy reefs. The highlight is Diamond Rock, an offshore island with a
deep undersea cavern.
REFERENCE
SITES
“Live in the sunshine, swim the sea, drink the wild air.”
– Ralph Waldo Emerson
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