sales guide martinique

There are many residential hotels in the
south that offer rooms, studios and
apartments equipped with kitchenettes,
and there are private accommodations
rented directly from the owner. You
will also find gîtes (self-catering
accommodations) that have
been granted the imprimatur
of Gîtes de France or Clé
Vacances. In any case,
there are many charming
places to stay. Outside
of the resort areas,
the accommodations
are generally geared
to families. Another
agreable option, fermeauberges
(farm-inns),
are appearing more and
more around the island.
8/ Can you stay high
up in the mountains ?
Yes. Those who want to stay as close
as possible to the volcanic north can opt for
the Habitation Leyritz, the Domaine de Saint-Aubin or
the Domaine de Sainte-Marie. These are the few hotels
in the north of the island. Higher up in the mountains,
tourist accommodations are generallly apartments
or gîtes ruraux, rural self-catering places that you
can reserve through the Service Loisir Accueil of the
Martinican Committee of Tourism.
9/ What is the « Route de la Trace » ?
The « Trace » was built in the 18th century as a route
through the Pitons du Carbet. Anyone who does
not experience it will have missed one of the most
beautiful trails on the island. Sheltered beneath the
spectacular green canopy of the tropical rainforest, the
Route winds its way past the flanks of the Pitons and
the foothills of Mount Pelée. It runs a total of about 20
miles between Fort-de-France and Morne Rouge, and
is the point of departure for many other hiking trails. It
also offers several places of interest along the way, like
the famous Balata Garden.
Slaves»
- La Trace des Jésuites
- La Trace des Caps
- Trail from Grand-Rivière to Prêcheur
Contact information for PNRM (Natural
Regional Park of Martinique) :
Domaine de Tivoli,
BP 437
97200 Fort-de-France Cedex,
Tel. : 0596 64 42 59
Fax : 0596 64 72 27.
pnrm@wanadoo.fr
www.sasi.fr/pnrm.
11/ What are some
original ways to
explore the island ?
There are specialists who
organize coastal excursions in
quads and guided tours in allterrain
bicycles, for half a day or a
full day. Some particularly fun activities
include :
- Exploring mangrove swamps and islets in a
kayak
- Flying over the island in a helicopter or a seaplane
- Guided trips in 4x4 vehicles
- Horseback rides
12/ Are there activities to get the adrenaline
flowing ?
Yes. You can go canyoning in the north of the island,
accompanied by a trained guide. And there’s kitesurfing
on the Atlantic coast, where there is more wind, from
10/ Is the island well-developed for visitors
who are fans of « green » tourism ?
Absolutely ! Of all the islands in the Caribbean,
Martinique is one of the few that has much to offer
when it comes to green tourism, thanks especially to
its volcanic north blanketed with a tropical forest—
unique in the Caribbean region. With its well-marked
hiking trails, exceptional canyoning sites, routes
off the beaten path for 4x4’s, horseback riding, and
more, Martinique boasts a wide variety of ecotourism
activities. You can hike just about anywhere, even near
resorts. There are 31 trails that are maintained and
marked by the National Forest Office. Some of the
best-known trails include :
- Canal de Beauregard, called the «Canal of
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