Classic Caribbean – St. Maarten to St. Maarten

Sint Maarten, part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, is a country on the southern part of a Caribbean island shared with Saint Martin, a French overseas collectivity. Its natural features span lagoons, beaches and salt pans. The capital, Philipsburg, has cobblestone streets and colorful, colonial-style buildings lining its Front Street shopping area. The port is a popular cruise-ship stop.

Charlestown is a historic waterfront neighborhood with Irish-American roots. The Freedom Trail climbs streets lined with brick townhouses and clapboard triple-decker homes to the Bunker Hill Monument, site of a key Revolutionary War battle. The 1797 U.S.S. Constitution warship and its museum are in the Charlestown Navy Yard. Main Street’s traditional pubs and stylish restaurants draw young professionals and families

Roseau is the capital of the Caribbean island nation of Dominica. It’s on the southwest coast and known for its 18th-century Creole architecture. Its cobblestone Old Market, formerly a slave auction site, sells crafts and fruit. It’s next to the Dominica Museum, with exhibits on the country’s natural and cultural history. The Dominica Botanic Gardens showcase tropical flora and native Sisserou parrots.

Die Zwillingstürme der Pitons, zwei vulkanische Gipfel, die über 730 Meter in die Höhe ragen, sind das Merkmal St. Lucias, eine Insel mit üppig grünen Tälern, riesigen Bananenplantagen und brodelnden Schwefelquellen. Lebendige Riffe, die ungefähr 40 km lang sind, machen St. Lucia zu einem Paradies für Taucher und Schnorchler. Der Pigeon Island Nationalpark, eine 16 Hektar große Insel, die durch einen Damm mit dem Festland verbunden ist, war einst ein Versteck für Piraten.

The Îles des Saintes, or Les Saintes, are dependency islands of Guadeloupe, a French overseas territory in the Caribbean. The main island, Terre-de-Haut, is known for Pain de Sucre Beach’s coral-rich waters and palm-lined Les Saintes Bay. Overlooking the bay is 19th-century Fort Napoléon, with a museum and cactus garden. Trails cross the volcanic landscape of Terre-de-Bas Island, home to tranquil Grand Anse Beach.

Basseterre, dessen unwiderstehlicher Hintergrund die smaragdgrünen Hügel von St. Kitts sind und das von elegant georgianischer Architektur durchzogen ist, ist eine der besten der kleinen Hauptstädte der Karibik.

Gustavia is the main town and capital of the island of Saint Barthélemy. Originally called Le Carénage, it was renamed in honor of King Gustav III of Sweden.

Sint Maarten, part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, is a country on the southern part of a Caribbean island shared with Saint Martin, a French overseas collectivity. Its natural features span lagoons, beaches and salt pans. The capital, Philipsburg, has cobblestone streets and colorful, colonial-style buildings lining its Front Street shopping area. The port is a popular cruise-ship stop.