Home & Away with Robert Walshe
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Holiday Hotspot – St Martin/St Maarten- Caribbean
If you associate the Caribbean with a laid-back atmosphere, a tranquil beach and a quiet sunset, then you haven’t been to feisty St. Martin and St. Maarten. The islands manage to pack a lot into just 87 sq. km., including 37 beaches, two distinct cultures and some of the Caribbean’s best dining and duty-free shopping. St. Mar-
tin, which makes up the islands northern half, is part of France. Small, low-rise hotels overlook sandy beaches and candlelit restaurants run by Paris-trained chefs. It’s the perfect setting for a romantic dinner for two. St. Maarten, the island’s southern half, is an autonomous country within the kingdom of the Netherlands. Livelier than the French side of the island, it’s the sort of spot where high-rises, casinos, nightclubs and brash bou-
St Martins famous airport on the beach.
tiques & shops compete for your attention. On both sides of the island – which most locals simply call St. Maarten, for convenience – there are narrow roads that twist up and around dormant volcanoes. At the most scenic viewpoints, there are small rest stops and even parking lots for travellers to stop and take pictures. If you’re the outdoorsy type, choose from just about every warm-weather sport imaginable, including snorkelling, scuba diving, hiking, mountain biking, sailing, golf, tennis, kayaking, zip lining and sailing. If you prefer to relax, the island has plenty of beaches. It’s easy to find a lounge chair where you can spend days reading a book as the surf rolls in at your feet. Orient Beach (part nude) is the equivalent of Ibiza. Here there is beach bar after beach bar with party after party if that tickles your fancy! St. Maarten is also one of the Caribbean’s top dutyfree shopping destinations. You’ll find most boutiques grouped along narrow Front Street. Merchants sell everything from loose diamonds, luxury watches and elegant
(074) 9131018 jewelry to linens, cameras, fragrances, rum and designer fashions. The waterfront food market in Marigot is open seven days a week, but on Wednesdays and Saturdays, clothing and souvenir sellers join the mix. Many offer a selection of brightly hued sundresses, beach shirts, fridge magnets and beaded jewellery. Count on spending about 30 minutes to St. Martin Be aches. an hour enjoying the spectacle. Parking can be tight so try the lot in front of the tourism office, just east of the market, if in the category of “charming you’re having trouble. St Mar- establishments”. The two oftin is also rapidly developing ficial currencies on St. Martin and becoming a cruise port are the Euro on the French of call for the Eastern Carib- side and the Florin (Nethbean so avoid the crowds on erlands Antillean guilder or ship days! The Island offers a florin) on the Dutch side. US wide choice of accommoda- dollars are also accepted tion, from four star resorts to across the island. The best charming boutique hotels or time to visit is May and June authentic guest houses, each or between November and one with its own unique fla- mid December. These sevour and breathtaking loca- lect weeks are times when tion. With a Caribbean-style hotels advertise their best decor and an average capac- rates. Summer and early fall ity, almost all properties are are not good for a vacation;
www.keeshotel.ie
many hotels close in this off-season and there’s a chance of hurricanes. Also avoid visiting in peak winter months if you can. www.stmaarten.com Robert Walshe is a travel broadcaster with Q Radio Network and Travel Editor for River Media newspaper titles across the island of Ireland. He is also a regular contributor to the Irish News travel section www. robertwalshe.com