You know when sometimes you find yourself sitting at your office desk with an eye in a vacuum and you only think about what you would like to see disappear the gray room where you are? If then there is air of spring in the air and the temperatures begin to rise, then it is impossible to curb the imagination and then closed or open eyes do not matter anymore: with the mind wandering are the most exotic among the maze of your dreams palm fronds from the wind, colorful cocktails on the beach and the turquoise sea you can imagine.
If you thought it was a dream without a name, you were wrong: the Paradise earth has a name, Martinique, Madinina or as they call the Caribbean Indians. A beautiful island in the heart of the Caribbean, the most famous of the Windward Islands, the Lesser French Antilles.
An island in the Caribbean but also European
Sometimes when the head is oriented towards so distant horizons, there is a little voice doubtful that begins to list all the red tape and costs for an overseas destination.
It needs a passport to go to Martinique? How much? As you take your visa? The answer is relaxing : it is an island of the beyond French sea and you can safely go with a simple identity card valid for foreign travel – not even remember that you change your cash in currencies other unpronounceable name, to Martinique is paid in Euros – not to mention that being French, the island enjoys a high standard of safety and health. In short, a trip to a world away without sacrificing the comfort of a living room made in Europe.
An island that enchants between sea and nature
And then come and the beauty of an island bewitching hits you in all its strength. A landscape that is divided between the rich tropical forest and the black sand beaches of the north and south golden lonely bays and dotted by islets – the happiness of every lover of water sports. The sea offers a special existential dichotomy, while in the east the coast overlooking the majestic Atlantic Ocean, west of the Caribbean Sea waves calm among the memories of sailing ships, pirates and buried treasure.
Just the sea will be the focus of your holiday and with the water at 28 ° throughout the year is not surprising. Largo swimming and snorkeling, protected handles the coast are true natural pools and a mask, fins and snorkel the seabed of Martinique will have no secrets: colors, marine life and so many emotions – simply stunning coral reefs on the Atlantic side and giant tortoises Anse Noire.
If you want to plunge into the sea in a different perspective that will allow to live to the pristine marine life of this little corner of paradise, you would not jump into one of many on catamarans tours, traditional yoles fishermen local or of kayaking along the coast. Besides surfing, kite surfing and windsurfing, but also diving and snorkeling.
Seductive in all seasons, Martinique shows generously in a slow sloping landscapes and idyllic contrasts that enhance each scene abundance and the natural wealth of florida island where it is always summer, and the trade winds enchant the air in a breeze refreshing that emphasizes the beauty of the sun on the beach, the colorful bougainvillea and roses allamande.
Where to stay in Martinique?
If you associate the idea of expensive luxury Caribbean hotel, you are right: it is. But in Martinique: Your exclusive resort ten stars but also comfortable cheaper lodging options that meet all tastes, needs and wallets. From bungalow honeymoon for two to the golden villa with private pool and butler included, from the vacation rental for a stay with family or friends to residences the kitchenette room, obviously passing through B & B on the beach and rooms for rent in people’s homes local. The largest common denominator is the emphasis on the great hospitality of the place, a relaxed tropical atmosphere that welcomes guests in palm trees, sky and sea.
Some advice?
- French Coco Tartane, four-star hotel surrounded by nature in alocationdreams with prestigious solutions for the most demanding guests that include bungalows with private pools. Friendliness, refined atmosphere but not luxurious and excellent local cuisine and international
- Le Domaine des Bulles Le Vaucli, a ecoresortparticular which is articulated in no time, unexpected spaces: a refuge in transparent nests for an accommodation facility unusual and ecological. 4 private spaces with air-conditioned comfort, relaxing in the green of a friendly nature that surprises even for special gastronomic offer in the private room space.
What to do in Martinique: Trekking, diving and water sports
A holiday, which is a continuous discovery of emotion and magic. Just get away from the beaten track, following the course of rivers in a canoe or embarking on wild paths in the Caribbean forests and mountain biking: enjoy the true nature of the island without fear.
Hikers will not want to miss the Mount Pelee, which from its 1,397 m, is undoubtedly the most famous volcano in the Caribbean , Martinique seems the entire project themselves into it to culminate in a morphologically exploits nature to discover a magnificent mountain – fauna, flora and geological history and folklore of the volcano par excellence in the Caribbean they trace the unique profile and the slow pace of your perfect stay.
What to see in Martinique: Worthwhile excursions
Take also the time to visit with calm the wide range of museums in Martinique , a small look on the diversity and richness of the island adventure story and modeled on the meeting of cultures in an age of great change – the mystery of pre-Columbian people, the dominant Spanish culture and the desire to stand up and live a strong local feeling.
The goodies you must see:
- L’Habitation Clément -in the countryside around François, among evocative of sugar cane fields, the Habitation Clement is the only “habitation” open to the public. A journey through time to discover the Creole culture of Martinique, between good rum and a farming community that lives in lucid, without age of 17-hectare park that surrounds it.
- The Baignoire de Joséphine: an endless sandy beach and deep waters and turquoise, crystal-clear turquoise waters in the bay near the du François and Thierry Oscar atolls. Exactly: do not forget the mask; diving enthusiasts will experience the beautiful underwater emotions.
- La Trace des Jésuites: a trek to the discovery of the island’s nature, one of the most beaten Martinique. Not very long, of medium difficulty is a short excursion into transience timeless rainforest amongst the lush nature, tree ferns, orchids, white rubber trees and the sounds of a world that emerges from history, geography and magic.
Sometimes on holiday, you are looking for a getaway from everyday life, from reality. What’s better then a temporary move away from civilization? You can do this by visiting the many small villages of Martinique, where between a glass of rum and a purchase in the workshops suggest that you find the time to stop in “pitts”, small arenas where you can watch cockfights and mongooses, real and their local rituals involving preparation ceremonies with music, color and Caribbean rhythms.
When he gets the moon, left drag by night is the time of a beguine, a mazurka or a zouk, a “vechio rum”, to be enjoyed after a colombo de cabri (dish of spiced meat), crab stuffed, accras (pancakes) and all the great courses of the local Creole cuisine menu .
Among the things to do in Martinique, it is impossible not to mention the Carnival. The carnival in the Caribbean Islands is part of the vast resources of a global carnival folklore; however, it permeated by European influences came in the centuries. The carnival celebrations begin on the first Sunday after Epiphany until today highlights on Tuesdays and Thursday’s fat.
The rums of Martinique
In the hands of a pirate with eye patch, in a glass on a table in a rough maison colonial hinterland or in a bar on five-star hotel beach, rum is the true symbol of the Antilles. A Martinique is produced Rum Agricultural starting from the distillation of the pure juice of sugar cane – absolutely different from the industrial rum which is produced from the distillation instead of molasses, a by-product of sugar production.
Since November of 1996, the agricultural rum of Martinique has been awarded the prestigious designation of origin (AOC), which provides for certain conditions and distillation rules according to the AOC lines which identify features specific to the type of barrel, maximum yield per hectare, country of origin, Rates of fermentation, distillation columns.
A trip to Martinique has one big drawback: the so-called Sore Antilles, a thought that snakes in the head and then explodes strong and pounding. An identity crisis of the series “I leave everything and I moved here,” alternating phases of mirages in the desert chaotic city in which they appear palms, crystal clear waters and coconut sorbets offered by women in colorful exotic clothes.
Sun, sea, breathtaking beaches and good rum: what else do to convince you?