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For an experience in the Caribbean both calming and cultural, why not head down to St. Martin? As the smallest island in the world ever to have been partitioned between two different nations (the French and the Dutch), this 37-square-mile island offers the rarest and richest of opportunities to bask in both endless sunshine and cultural diversity.
American Airlines began offering daily, nonstop flights from John F. Kennedy International Airport to St. Martin’s Princess Juliana International Airport Nov. 17. The flights use a Boeing 757 aircraft, with 20 seats in business class and 166 seats in economy. Flight 667 departs from JFK at 7:59 a.m. and arrives in St. Martin at 1:09 p.m.
The Sonesta Maho Beach Resort in St. Martin.
Upon arrival, take a taxi to the French side of the island (the border can hardly be perceived, and both islanders and visitors alike cross back and forth without even knowing they’re entering a new country) and find yourself in Marigot, the capital city of French St. Martin. Perhaps the most French in spirit of all the cities in the Caribbean, Marigot resembles a French market town complete with streetside cafés and bistros ideal for people-watching, as well as luxurious boutiques and elegant shops with the latest fashions.
Visit the open-air Marigot market for a chance to sample freshly caught fish and local produce, spices and tropical fruit. Stroll to the southern end of Marigot for a brief education in the island’s history at the St. Martin Museum, where artifacts dating back to 1800 BCE and ceramics from 550 BCE can be found alongside a detailed history of colonial life on the island, including the progression from plantations and slavery to modern development.
Then climb to the top of Fort St. Louis, the largest historical monument on the island, for a panoramic view of Dutch St. Maarten and the stunning sea surrounding it. From this vantage point, you can choose one of the country’s great beaches for a quick dip to cool down after your climb. The beach at Grand Case is an excellent choice, and there are some savory barbecue stands located nearby with some of the best food on the island (the stands are called “lolos” by locals).
After lunch, head on over to the Dutch part of the island, St. Maarten. In the capital city of Philipsburg you’ll find plenty of duty-free shops nestled among arcades and courtyards crammed with flowers. Even if shopping is not your passion, the traditional West Indian architecture alone warrants a walk through the charming town. Front Street, one of the town’s two main thoroughfares, features sites of more historical import, including the court house and the Simartin Museum. At the eclectic museum, the contents of a British shipwreck can be found alongside artifacts from the natives of the island, the Arawaks.
After a brief orientation in Philipsburg, climb aboard the Lord Sheffield, St. Maarten’s sophisticated pirate ship. A square-rigged sailing vessel armed with black powder cannons, the Lord Sheffield is a unique way to get a tour of the island from a distance or go for a snorkel or a sunset sail. If a smaller, private boat is more your speed, consider renting your own boat and exploring the largest landlocked lagoon in the Caribbean, certainly the most unique geographical feature of St. Maarten.
After such an adventurous day, return to the French side of the island to relax on Orient Beach. Often referred to as the “French Riviera of the Caribbean,” this beach offers plenty of places to enjoy a frozen drink and relax in a lounge chair while staring out into the sea. Most of the best restaurants on the island line this mile-long beach, so consider one of the many fine dining options for a leisurely (and fresh) meal by the sea, often involving freshly grilled fish and local vegetables in season.
After dinner, take a stroll up to Paradise Peak, the highest point on the island. There are two observation decks on the 1,400-foot-tall Pic Paradis, and at night, the island glitters with electricity like fireflies and boats at sea provide a magical light show. From the top of the mountain, you can have a long think about where you’d like to relax the following day. After all, no trip to St. Martin is complete without a day of lounging on one of the many quiet, protected beaches or coves and doing absolutely nothing at all.
