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Archive for May 28th, 2008

St. Martin attractions on-land May 28

St Martin attractions on-land

There are many stunning locations on the Caribbean ‘Desert Island’ of St Martin. There are wonderful coves and bays, as well as long unbroken stretches of stunning snow white sand. Dramatic cliffs and tropical jungle hideaways, there is so much to see and do it can easily fill up a whole vacation.

Below is a brief guide to some of the highlights that this tropical retreat has to offer the first time visitors or the multitude who would not consider anywhere else as a yachting vacation heaven.

Orient Beach is considered ‘the’ spot for the well dressed and well tanned to be see and be seen while visiting St Martin. Well to do locals, and tourists alike make their way to Orient Beach to take in the sights and pleasures of this little piece of paradise famed for its liberal attitudes towards bathing attire.

This beach can also offer unrivalled water sports opportunities and facilities. There are a number of high quality eating establishments that exhale all manor of exotic fragrances. This clothing optional beach does not have a tacky or tasteless atmosphere, more a sophisticated French Riviera feel.

Marigot Fort Louis encapsulates a one hundred and fifty berth marina, and benefits from easy direct access to the sea. This has made it a magnet for the internationally diverse yachting crowd that gathers on the island for some of the big races that are held around its shores.

On the Dutch side of the island, the boats are forced to navigate the difficult Simpson Bay Bridge, which only opens twice each day. Simpson Bay also provides a full service marina that has no less than 120 slips, which can accommodate sumptuous yachts with lengths of up to 60m.

Anse Marcel conceals a small harbor and a very attractive short beach, which can be easily found next to the Marina Port de Lonvilliers. Many yacht charters operators ply their trade from this popular little marina. Along the edge of the marina there are many lively little stores offering all kinds of local wares. As well as some extremely inviting sidewalk restaurants and continental style cafes.

Marigot Port La Royale is a busy marina found towards the leeward side of the island. It boasts a shopping area and many quaint little restaurants and cocktail bars. There is also a bi-weekly open-air market on the wharf.

Diving is a major attraction all over the island, with stunning coral formations, clear sandy bottoms and large wrecks dotting the coves and bays, all around its shores. The waters are crystal clear offering excellent visibility even on any rare cloudy day.

The island offers first class villa’s for those who did not bring their own yachting accommodations to this enchanting Caribbean hideaway.

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St. Barts, exclusive tropical playground May 28

Villas de vacances à louer à Saint Martin and Saint BarthThe first frost of winter often brings about dreams of Caribbean vacations, and the desire to get away to a sundrenched desert isle can start to play on the mind. There are a large number of Caribbean island’s, many of which have a strong British, Dutch or French flavor, left over from their colonial past.

Many people have their own personal favorite Caribbean getaway retreat, many choose there island because of the slick Madison Ave advertising campaigns, that promote them as the ultimate Caribbean getaway destinations.

Perhaps because of its very strong French influence the tiny Caribbean nation of St Barts has avoided such brash invitations to visit this tropical paradise. St Barts is the kind of place that has grown steadily in popularity almost entirely due to positive word of mouth from past visitors.

The islanders have avoided mass tourism by avoiding mass advertising; they are far more interested in quality when it comes to tourists, rather than quantity. Many return home from the island singing enthusiastic praises about this incredible vacation location. Then these are the same people who complain when other visitors want to enjoy their hidden, little piece of paradise.

St. Barts is sometimes referred to as the Monte Carlo or St. Tropez in the Caribbean, this is possibly an insult to this stunningly picturesque eight square mile slice of another world. The truth is that St. Barts probably has far more to offer than its Mediterranean sisters.

Unlike these bustling and overdeveloped French cities, growth on St. Barts has been strictly controlled in an eco-friendly manor, for many years. Even before anyone had every heard the phrase. Construction has been strictly limited, with a distinct lack of unattractive condo complexes, and mega hotels.

to be found on the island including villas defiantly fall under the bracket of ‘luxury class’. With no prefabricated ‘build ‘em cheap- sell ‘em fast’ ugly high rise construction, permitted anywhere on the island.

Even the normal life blood of most Caribbean islands, the cruise ship, is allowed only limited access, with numbers very strictly controlled to avoid the ‘day trip’ feel that changes the face of tourism on many of the West Indian islands.

St. Barts has chosen instead to offer the highest quality vacation to a smaller number of lucky visitors. These privileged few can partake of the 20 stunning beaches that circle the island, separating the land from the crystal clear, azure blue tropical warm seas.

Many people visit the island just to experience its incredible scuba diving opportunities along the Coral reefs located just off shore. Others want to laze the day away on the snow white beach, sipping on a fruit cocktail. Many come for the huge variety of designer goods available at bargain prices on this duty free island.

What ever your reasons for wanting to visit this undiscovered paradise island, it is sure not to disappoint even the most jaded traveler. St. Barts has so much to offer any visitor that demands quality, and the best that money can buy, in an exotic tropical playground.

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