Inspiration for your own tailor-made trip
Sainte-Anne - Fonds-Saint-Denis - Le François
100% customisable for you
Your adventure to the distant island of Martinique begins today. Head to the airport, whizz through security and enjoy a glass of bubbly in the airport lounge as you await departure. Your flight to the capital of Fort-de-France will take around 14 hours via Paris, meaning you have plenty of time to enjoy a good movie or two.
After touching down on Caribbean soil, collect your hire car and drive one hour to the coastal village of Sainte-Anne. Your home for the next three nights is a traditional Creole guesthouse with lovely facilities, including a pool, restaurant and tropical garden. Spend the rest of today relaxing and settling into island life with some traditional food and a sundowner.
After a delicious breakfast and a slow-paced morning at your cottage, head out to the historic An Mao Heritage site, a lush two-and-a-half acre park that was once a refuge for former slaves. The park was designed by Pierre-Yves Panor, a poet, novelist and ardent protector of Martinique's heritage. We recommend taking a guided tour to delve into the fascinating history of the men and women who forged their own destinies after the abolition of slavery.
Spend today experiencing the beauty of some of the finest beaches in the Caribbean. Stroll along the volcanic sands of Anse Noire, search for sea turtles in warm waters, set sail around Marin Bay or doze off under the shade of a coconut tree on Salines beach. We also recommend heading to the vibrant Diamant market to sample delicious tropical fruits and accras (Caribbean fritters).
Today you’ll swap the coastline of Sainte-Anne for the dense greenery of Fonds-Saint-Denis. Journey two hours to the north of the island and settle in for three nights in an 18th-century colonial house that’s been transformed into a quaint guest house. Everything reflects the tropical setting, from the outdoor swimming pool and lush gardens to the homemade Creole delicacies cooked to perfection. Spend the rest of today making yourself at home before succumbing to the comfort of your room for a good night’s sleep.
Perched at an altitude of 1,300ft, Fonds-Saint-Denis is a charming little village spread out over the steep slopes of the Pitons du Carbet mountain range. The town is the starting point for picturesque trails that wind through the forest and today you’ll embark on one of our recommended trails at your own pace or head out on a private hike in the north of the island.
Spend this afternoon discovering the town’s treasures, such as the 19th-century church or the Morne des Cadets observatory, which watches over Mount Pelee using one of the largest seismographs in the world. And finally, for those who struggle to peel themselves away from the white-sand beaches of the coast, a short 30-minute drive lands you on the idyllic Caribbean coast.
Today, explore the wealth of natural wonders surrounding Fonds-Saint-Denis: feel the thrill of tightrope walking while wondering along the Beauregard Canal, an irrigation system built by former slaves; take a trip to the volcanological and seismological observatory to check out the activity of Mount Pelee?Volcano; have a picnic and a swim deep in the jungle at Salt du Gendarme waterfall; or indulge in a tasting session at an agricultural rum distillery.
Your road trip across Martinique continues today with a one-hour drive through verdant valleys to Le Francois. Your home for the next three nights here is a quintessential Creole guesthouse nestled between the southern beaches and northern forest. The rest of today is yours to spend as you please – we recommend simply relaxing and soaking in the atmosphere of this heritage home: take a stroll among the banana trees of the tropical garden, worship the sun from the comfort of a poolside deckchair and tuck into the gourmet dishes cooked up in the on-site restaurant.
Head out onto the waters off the coast of Grand and Petit Macabou this morning for a day of sailing and fishing in the company of a local fisherman-guide. The aim of today is to try your hand at the ancient technique of catching fish on the surface of the water by surrounding them with a large net called a senne. After bringing up the catch of the day, settle in for a delicious feast of grilled fish with all the classic trimmings. If you’re not feeling too full, make the most of being in the heart of the ocean and enjoy a spot of swimming. Your guide can even help you find some sandy expanses that emerge from the sea, sometimes several hundred feet from the coast.
Rise and shine, it’s your final full day in the heart of the Caribbean and there’s not a moment to waste. From the comfort of your hire car, head out and visit any last spots on the island you haven’t yet experienced. Discover the deserted beaches of the Caravelle peninsula, sail among the Robert islets, enjoy some local water sports in the bay or visit the Habitation Clement, one of the most beautiful sugar plantations in the Antilles.
Sadly, the time has come to bid the tropical landscapes of Martinique a warm farewell and embark on your journey home. After a lazy morning at your tropical retreat, hop back into your hire car for the final time and drive 30 minutes back to the airport in Fort-de-France. Your flight back to the UK will take around 11 hours with a layover in Paris, so you’ll spend tonight on board and touch down on home turf tomorrow.
Everything in this itinerary is entirely customisable, down to the smallest details. Here are some more suggestions of what could be included
Each of our trips is entirely tailor-made with originality, quality and cultural immersion in mind. Our team of destination specialists will craft itineraries based on your tastes, using their first-hand knowledge and the help of our in-country team of Concierges and guides. All trips are accompanied by a wide range of additional services, including a 24-hour helpline, the Original Travel app, fast-track airport services and much more.
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We work with you to build an ultra-personalised holiday itinerary with your choice of accommodation, experiences and activities
All of our holidays include little extras designed to make a big difference to your trip, from fast-tracking you through airport check-in and security to our network of local Concierges
