Martinique Travel Guide
Martinique lies in the Caribbean in the Northernmost of the Windward Caribbean group. The easiest and fastest way to travel around Martinique is by hire car, with plenty of availability being found at the airport. Anyone that's left their driving license at home though can jump on the local bus, called taxi collectives, the fares are cheap and tourist routes go from Fort-de-France and Saint-Pierre. Martinicans are obsessed with the sweet, syrupy rums produced by the island's 11 rum distilleries. These distilleries make some of the world's best-fermented sugarcane liquor. Martinique boasts the only rum carrying France 's prestigious Appellation d'Origine Controlee (AOC) label.
Before Columbus discovered the island in 1502, the Caribs called it Isle of Flowers and floral it has remained up to this day. You will find frangipani, wild orchids, hibiscus and neon-bright bougainville all over the place.
The capital city of the island is Fort-de-France a very stylish and sophisticated city. This fascinating culture is laid out against a backdrop of graceful Caribbean beauty. Lush unspoilt rainforests gives you an excellent hiking opportunity. South of the city you find many excellent beaches, be careful if you have young children. There are some beaches that allow nudists. Mont Pelee is in the north of the island. The volcanoes buried the old capital city, St. Pierre under lava and ashes back in 1902. With a height of over 4,000 feet it is the highest point of the island. English is widely spoken but it is a plus to know at least high-school French. There are wonderful subtleties in island culture - such as the tying of special knots in Martinican head coverings. A single knot is said to mean "my heart is taken," two knots means "my heart is available," and a triple knot can mean "I am spoken for, but you may still have a chance."
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