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Martinique

For Christopher Columbus, who discovered the island in 1493, Martinique was ‘the most beautiful country in the world’. It is then no surprise that tourism is the biggest industry in this spectacular island. Every year, thousands of tourists flock to Martinique to rejuvenate in its impressive volcanic landscape and its equally exquisite sand beaches surrounded by sugar, palm, banana and pineapple plantations.

Martinique's French and Creole heritage is reflected in its cuisine, customs and languages. The people of the island swear by its music and no one leaves the island without tasting its speciality, the rum, considered to be amongst the best in the world.

Things to see and do in Martinique

• Fort-de-France: Wander through the winding streets of the delightful capital of the island. There is the park of La Savanne in the centre of the town where there is a statue of Napoleon’s Empress Josephine, who was a native of Martinique. Her home, La Pagerie, is one of the greatest tourist attractions of the town. Joséphine's birthplace, La Pagerie, now a museum, houses an impressive collection of her mementos.
• Musée Départemental: The museum's collection provides an insight into the predominantly Arawak and Carib Indian prehistory of the island.
• Cathedral of St-Louis: The main attraction of this late-17th-century cathedral is its Roman-style bell tower.
• Water activities: Swimming, sailing, scuba-diving, snorkeling, waterskiing, and spearfishing are the popular water activities on the island of Martinique. There is an aqua-festival, a sailing event held each year around the Bay of Robert.

Dining in Martinique

For many Caribbean islands are a tropical paradise with stunning beaches, aqua blue waters, splendid attractions and warm hospitable people. But ask the visitors the about the greatest attraction of Martinique and the answer would be its culinary delights. Martinique is very, very French and the same is obvious through its love affair with good food.

Many stores in Martinique close from noon to 2:30 for a leisurely lunch and dinner is in itself nothing less than a gastronomic adventure. Martinique offers one of the widest choices of restaurants in the Caribbean with the number touching 150.

Most restaurants and eateries offer both French cuisine and Creole dishes though there is an impressive mix of African, Indian, European and Caribbean flavors also on the menus.

Entertainment and nightlife in Martinique

There are a dozen interesting nightspots, piano bars and late night discos in Fort-de-France and out of town around the island. You can check out Le Zanzibar and Le Calebasse cafe both in Marin and St. James Jazz Club in Jambette just outside town. You can also find information about the latest happenings and events in the newspaper "France-Antilles".

Martinique also has a gambling casino, Casino de la Batelière Plazza, in Schoelcher.

Golfing in Martinique

The main golf course is the Martinique Golf and Country Club. The 18 hole golf course was built in the year 1976. There is an year round golfing season here. Facilities include clubhouse, bar, dressing rooms, and tennis courts.

Other golf courses worth checking out are St. Lucia Golf Resort & Country Club in Saint Lucia and Sandals Regency La Toc Golf Resort & Spa also in Saint Lucia.