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\t\t\t\t\t\t\tMartinique is truly a little bit of France in the Caribbean. It exudes a distinctly French feeling in the excellence of its cuisine, the chic of its women, and the beauty of its language. Yet Martinique has a cachet all its own, an endearing West Indian warmth and friendliness in its personality, a special spice in its music and dance, its local dishes, and its way of life. It is an island with style.<\/p>\n
\t\t\t\t\t\t\tWater sports abound all around the coastline and superb hiking trails can be found inland. Those looking to enrich themselves about the island's culture will be enthralled by the many ruins and historical monuments, museums and old plantations. And of course there are plenty of beaches to spend a lazy afternoon on. An array of hotels, resorts and inns can be found. The Créole and French dishes promise wonderful gastronomical discoveries. Throw in great shopping and a lively nightlife and you are sure to have the vacation of a lifetime. <\/p><\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n
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\t\t\t\t\t\t\tIf you are thirsty, freshly squeezed sugarcane juice<\/b> is always a delicious and refreshing choice. The local beer is Lorraine<\/b>. Imported French wines<\/b> usually accompany a meal. The connoisseurs say that the rum from Martinique is the best in the world. There's white rum, old rum, and many fine liqueurs<\/b>, such as coconut punch, passion fruit punch, orange punch. Local cocktails include Ti Punch and Planter's punch<\/b>. In December it's time for the Shrubb liqueur<\/b>, made from the dried peels of oranges and tangerines, sugarcane syrup, and white rum.<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n
\t\t\t\t\t\t\tMartinicans devote much interest to music. Live concerts at bars, jazz clubs, piano bars and festivals are a great place to enjoy the island's rhythms. Traditional sounds and dance include Beguine, Zouk, Bel air and Laghia<\/b> (traditional dances inherited from Africa). Christmas carols fill the air during the holiday season. The annual Festival of Sacred, Popular and Profane music<\/b> in December is unique. <\/p>\n
\t\t\t\t\t\t\tPaintings and sculpture<\/b> by native-born Martiniquais or artists who have moved to the island can be found at galleries. Paul Gaugin<\/b> lived and painted in Carbet before moving to Tahiti.<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n
\t\t\t\t\t\t\tThe island measures 80 km by 35 km, respectively. The land rises gradually from the coast toward the center and northern parts of the island. It is in the north that we find the two peaks of the Carbet and Mont Pelée, a dormant volcano that is the highest mountain on the island at 1,398 m. This part of Martinique is also a legendary tropical rainforest. In the center of the island, the Lamentin Plain, made up of small, rounded hills and enclosed valleys, slopes down toward the south. <\/p>\n
\t\t\t\t\t\t\tIts administrative and political structures have been identical to those of the French Departments. Fort-de-France is the administrative and commercial capital of the island.<\/p><\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n
\t\t\t\t\t\t\tA magnificent 18-hole Robert Trent Jones Sr. course, the Golf de l'Impératrice Joséphine<\/b>, is at Trois Ilets, 1.6 km from the Pointe du Bout resort, 32 km from Fort-de-France. <\/p>\n
\t\t\t\t\t\t\tOf all sports on Martinique, one of the best organized is hiking<\/b>, and with so many natural treasures – a tropical rain forest, a world-famous volcano, alpine peaks (or pitons) and rocky hills (or mornes), and wide stretches of virgin beach. Mountain biking, horseback riding<\/b> are other ways of exploring the land. Many tennis courts<\/b>, most lighted for night play, can be found all over the island.<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n
\t\t\t\t\t\t\tDollars can be exchanged in the many banks and change offices. Banks ATMs are available throughout the more populated areas of the islands. All major credit cards and traveller's cheques are accepted in the capital. Smaller shops in towns don't always accept them so it is a good idea to always have a certain amount of cash on hand.<\/p><\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n
\t\t\t\t\t\t\tInternet and e-mail is available in most hotels or Internet cafes. There are 11 local stations and most large hotels offer cable tv.<\/p><\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n
\t\t\t\t\t\t\tUse good judgement, take advantage of the safety deposit boxes provided by the hotels, avoid wearing expensive jewellery and carry your wallet or camera discreetly. Hotel rooms and rental cars should be locked. Avoid walking alone at night.<\/p><\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n
\t\t\t\t\t\t\tCandied fruit, coco bars, douce-lettes<\/b> (a speciality made from coconut, milk and sugar) all make great treats to give as gifts or enjoy by yourselves. One must bring back a bottle of Martinican white or old rum<\/b>, or one of the fine liqueurs (coconut punch, passion fruit punch, orange punch<\/b>).The Shrubb<\/b> is a delicious and very fine liqueur, made from the dried peels of oranges and tangerines, sugarcane syrup, and white rum.<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n
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