Of all the French West Indies, Martinique is the most French, beginning with its capital, Fort-de-France. It is truly France in the Tropics, and we're talking Gauloise cigarettes and gendarmes directing traffic. You can even expect French brusqueness on occasion.

Martinique is one of the Caribbean's most beautiful islands, with its white-sandy beaches and lush rainforests. It is part of the Lesser Antilles and the island is only 1,088 sq. km.

The terrain is mountainous, especially in the rainforested northern part, where the volcano Montagne Pelée rises to a height of 1,397m.

The irregular coastline of the island has five bays, dozens of coves, and miles of sandy beaches. Almost a third of the island's year-round population of 360,000 lives in the capital and largest city, Fort-de-France.

The climate is relatively mild, with the average temperature in the 24°C-29°C range although at higher elevations, it's considerably cooler. The island is cooled by a wind the French called alizé, and rains are frequent but don't last very long. Late August to November is the rainy season. April to September are the hottest months.

The early Carib peoples, who gave Columbus such a hostile reception, called Martinique the "island of flowers," and it has remained so. The vegetation includes hibiscus, poinsettias, bougainvillea, coconut palms, and mango trees. Almost any fruit can sprout from Martinique's soil, including pineapples, avocados, bananas, papayas, and custard apples.

Bird-watchers are often pleased at the number of hummingbirds, and visitors can also see mountain whistlers, blackbirds, and mongooses. Multicolored butterflies flit about, and after sunset, there's a concert of grasshoppers, frogs, and crickets.
 

To visit the Martinique Tourism website, please click here.

To inquire about, or book, a Martinique vacation, email me anytime.

Win back your vacation from Travel Professionals International this fall. All 7 day sun or cruise vacations

booked with TPI and our participating partners are eligible to win up to $3500 back!

Book a sun or cruise vacation before 31 Oct 2011 with a participating partner for your chance to win.

Click here for the details  

In my mission to provide excellent client service to every one of you, I've always been careful not to grow too fast.

It's now time to add a few more clients to my 'roster' and I need your help to do that.  And, of course, there will be rewards!

For every referral you send to me that books a trip (corporate or leisure), you will receive a $10 Tim Hortons gift card.

In addition, you will receive one entry into a draw for a $250. Visa gift card.

So here are the 'rules'!

First, somebody must tell me prior to booking about the referral.  Either make sure your friend tells me that you referred them, or you contact me and let me know!

Next, it must be a new client for me.  Past clients who have been referred and book again during the contest don't count!

There are no limits on the number of entries into the draw.  The more referrals you send that book, the more chances you have to win.

Referrals must book prior to 31 Oct 2011.

The draw will be held 01 Nov 2011.  Notification will be made shortly after the draw and congratulations will be in the November Newsletter. 

Contact me anytime!