Recommend April 2013 - (Page 85)

total of four artful, wickerful suites and no restaurant in a sprawling, neo-Spanish colonial (from $495, off-season). And in December 2013, the long-dormant LaSource on Pink Gin Beach will reopen as a 200-unit Sandals resort, the ﬁrst in Grenada. martinique: olde charm, new flights Is Martinique terra incognita to most Americans because (a) it’s not an English-speaking island, or (b) there haven’t been any scheduled, nonstop ﬂights from U.S. gateways since 2008? Judging by the success of Cancun and the Dominican Republic, the answer is probably “b.” We’ll soon know that for sure, too, because starting this month, American Airlines begins weekly nonstop ﬂights between Miami and Fort de France. “These new ﬂights represent a major step in Martinique’s development into a primary Caribbean vacation destination for U.S. travelers,” says Karine Roy-Camille, commissioner of the Martinique Tourism Authority. “Interest in Martinique has been growing among U.S. travelers...and now, with American Airlines offering convenient direct service, Martinique stands poised to charm U.S. travelers.” In fact, the island is so determined to expand its presence in North America that it will host CTO’s 2013 State of the Industry meeting. Like Grenada, Martinique offers plenty to love beyond its beaches. This is another one of those islands where the population still farms and ﬁshes, and where the lush, mountainous interior provides a stunning setting for hikers and nature-lovers; not for nothing is Martinique known as the “Island of Flowers.” The RAMSAYTHE CAUGHT HELL IN KITCHEN HERE most famous hike is the climb to Mount Pelee, a live volcano in Martinique National Park, but the 12.4-mile trail between Le Precheur, the northernmost town on the Caribbean coast, and Grand Riviere, a ﬁshing village on the island’s northernmost Atlantic tip, is a classic, because it passes by various vegetation zones, rivers, undeveloped beaches, and yes, ﬂowers. Like Burgundy or Brittany, Martinique is an ofﬁcial Region of France, so it has excellent medical facilities, drinking water, and cultural institutions. In fact, those cultural institutions, combined with a rich history, makes this one of the best sightseeing destinations in the Caribbean. Clients can visit the house where the future Empress Josephine lived (Museum Pagerie at Les Trois Ilets), a plantation home from the 1700s with period furniture and a display of some unexpectedly passionate love letters by Napoleon. And where else but on Martinique can people visit the ruins of a Caribbean Pompei: St. Pierre, the former capital city, which was destroyed in minutes when Mount Pelee exploded in 1902. In Fort de France visitors can see Les Grands Ballets Martiniquais, two splendid cathedrals, a magniﬁcent tiled library (Bibliotheque Schoelcher), the Museum of Archeology and Prehistoric Martinique, countless New Orleans-style historic buildings, and multiple forts. As you’d expect of a French Region, the restaurants are ﬁrst-rate, too, with many serving ﬁne French wines. Beyond wine, visitors can sample what is indisputably the best rum on earth. The Saint-James Distillery offers tastings and a rum museum, while in the south, Musee Meet Terri Ramsay. She enjoyed the beach, golf, spa, and restaurants. “I had an amazing experience. I must say the staff was friendly, welcoming, attentive and kind. “The food in the resort was absolutely amazing, especially the dinner in the buffet. Kali’na’s also offered excellent food, and was very fancy. I enjoyed dining outside, in front of the pool, in the daytime and at night. The pool was my favorite place to sit – very beautiful.” Come experience the “True Caribbean”. 13% Commission on all bookings made by May 31 for travel through December 18, 2013 Reservations : 1-866-353-6222 • Email : Reservations@MagdalenaGrand.com • MagdalenaGrand.com The “Ramsay” used in this advertisement is not intended to identify or refer to any person other than Terri Ramsay who is shown in the photograph at the top of this advertisement. MAG-13-125 TravelTradeAd-Ramsay - RecommendMag.indd 1 82-87 CB Martinique.indd 85 3/11/13 5:50 PM april 2013 85 3/20/13 8:54 AM http://www.MagdalenaGrand.com http://www.MagdalenaGrand.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Recommend April 2013

Editor's Notes
The Islands of Tahiti
Hotel Desk: Song Saa Private Island, Cambodia
Tour Talk: Islands in the Sun
A Med Escape: Greek Isles & Cyprus
Set Sail
The Seychelles' Private Island Resorts
Portrait of Israel
Booking 2 on the Isles: Easter Island & Galapagos
Island-Hopping in Mexico: Cozumel, Isla Holbox & Isla Mujeres
The Pulse of Poipu, Hawaii
Florida's Islands: Amelia, Captiva & Sanibel
The Real Caribbean: Grenada & Martinique

Recommend April 2013