Palm trees and turquoise-blue seas make Martinique ideal for snorkelling, diving or just lazing about on pristine beaches in the shade. Oh, and there are coconuts, too. Martinique has everything you could possibly imagine on a Caribbean holiday.
The Lesser Antilles Island of Martinique -- or what France calls the "Île aux Contrastes" -- has plenty to offer. Bring a pair of hiking boots, as the terrain leading from the beaches into the mountains and valleys varies considerably.
At only about 44 miles in length and 318 miles in width, Martinique features lush rainforests and sheer cliffs in the north, pristine beaches and desert landscapes in the south, sheltered Caribbean bays in the west, and crashing Atlantic waves in the east.
Part of France
Colonization by the French in 1635 brought slavery and civil war. Fast forward to the 21st century, and Martinique is now a French overseas department about 4,000 miles by air from Paris. Its currency is the euro.
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Though French is the island's official language, residents prefer to speak Creole. Champagne is imported, unlike the national drink called Ti' Punch, which is made of rum, green lemons and cane sugar.
As in France, baguettes are common, but almost every dish is seasoned with "colombo," a mixture of roasted and crushed spices such as turmeric, coriander, black pepper and mustard.
Bèlè, a music rooted in slavery, can be heard in bars and restaurants.
Martinique features no fewer than 100 sandy beaches and over 125 miles of hiking trails. Popular coastlines include the Plage des Salines, which features coconut trees and white sand.
Volcanic world heritage site
Climbing the dormant Mount Pelée volcano is one of the most popular hikes for visitors to the island. Martinique's landmark towers over the island at an altitude of 4,500 feet. "Its ascent is legendary," says Gilles Vicrobeck, president of the Martinique Hiking Committee.
The "Grande Dame," as the islanders lovingly call it, attracts hikers from all corners of the globe thanks to panoramic views of the island and the surrounding seas.
The volcano last erupted on May 8, 1902, and destroyed Saint-Pierre, the former cultural and economic capital, and killed 30,000 people. The ruins in the rebuilt town in the valley commemorate the eruption -- one of the deadliest of the 20th century.
Mount Pelée and the Pitons of Northern Martinique were designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2023, making the volcano even more popular. Three trails lead to its summit. The easiest is the Aileron trail, which starts about half a mile from the Morne-Rouge parking lot. The Sentier de Grande Savane hiking trail from the village of Le Prêcheur is slightly more strenuous.
Of the three, the Morne-Macouba trail is the toughest, as the 3,500-feet ascent takes eight hours and requires the use of rope passages. The starting point is either in Macouba or Grand'Rivière. Unfortunately, the view from the top often is hazy, as clouds from the Atlantic Ocean tend to cling to its eastern flank.
Hiking in a savannah
Hiking enthusiasts also should head for the Savane des Pétrifications on the Sainte-Anne peninsula in southern Martinique. This landscape of cacti and bizarre rock formations, leftover from a lava-covered forest, is unlike the lush vegetation elsewhere in Martinique. Finding shade will probably be the only difficulty on a hike.
The 250-feet Rocher du Diamant or diamond rock rises out of the sea in the southwest of the island. You can take a boat trip to discover its colonial past. During the Napoleonic Wars, the British built a fort on the uninhabited island. The surrounding waters are good for diving and snorkeling, but take care as the currents can be treacherous and the underwater world is only for those with experience. Boats are not allowed to dock here.
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