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