A LOOK AT THE ISLANDS
ST. MARTEEN
It is the smallest island in the world to be divided between two sovereign states, France and the Netherlands. The French part is the northern one and the capital is Marigot. Sint Maarten, in the southern area, belongs to the Netherlands Antilles and its capital is Philipsburg. You can move freely from one part to the other, a simple monument marks the border between the two territories and this has favored its fascinating mix of cultures: Creole, French, Dutch and English.
St. Martin is the ideal place for sailing and for those who love diving, thanks to the splendid seabed and a protected marine reserve where whales and dolphins come to reproduce. You can also venture into nature, following the paths of the ridges or the coast on foot, on horseback or by mountain bike, to discover the vegetation and landscapes of the island such as the amazing Ferme aux Papillons, a famous butterfly farm, the Paradise Peak at 424 m high!
Restaurants, boutiques, lively stalls selling tropical products, fruit, vegetables, fish, spices and local handicrafts, enliven the whole island. While away from the city there are breathtaking beaches and bays, some of which are renowned as Orient Beach, a small Saint-Tropez, or the quiet Long Beach. Baie Rouge is the ideal place for snorkelling and the islets off the north-eastern coast are unmissable: Green Cay and Île de Pinel, true paradises.
ST.BARTH
St-Barth is the smallest of the islands in the archipelago. But how wonderful! With its 25 square kilometers, a century of Swedish sovereignty and a population descended from Norman and Breton colonists, St-Barth is known for the heavenly nature and the sweetness of life that reigns on the island. Its landscape is a succession of savannahs, hills and valleys covered with pastures and dotted with pretty little houses in pastel shades. Along the coast, twenty magnificent beaches bathed by blue waters.
Gustavia, a free port, is the small capital, a paradise for lovers of luxury, who moor prestigious yachts along the port that offers a wide choice of high-fashion shops, gourmet restaurants, art galleries and monuments.
ANGUILLA
Anguilla is the northernmost of the Leeward Islands and owes its name to its long and flat shape. It is small and populated by few inhabitants, but the 33 white beaches scattered along the 56 km of its coast are among the most beautiful in the Caribbean. The turquoise waters and coral islets invite you to swim, snorkel and dive.
There is no risk of getting lost on the island because there is only one main road - The Main Road - from which branches off to beaches and bays. In Road Bay, the restaurants on the beach offer typical local dishes, while the quiet and picturesque port is the ideal place to spend a relaxing evening.
In Crocus Bay, a less frequented bay surrounded by imposing cliffs, you can explore the caves by kayak. Its clear and calm waters make it perfect for a stop of relaxation and adventure.
