[grap6b]

Can anyone provide me with first hand information about the Martinique islands? I would like first hand information, not those i can read from travel guides. or the previous informations I get from this forum. I want something fresh and anecdotal. Thanks so much! if you provide at least one. God bless you!

[Anaksagor]

I only know that a famous painter Paul Gauguin left his family went to this island to paint. There he painted his famous canvas, don't remember how it's exactly called, there are two girls on the painting.
So i suppose that it is really a special place.

[Jed]

Several years ago we went to Martinique, and this was my report:

"We went with ABC tours and stayed a week at hotel Bakoua, which was supposed to be the nicest place on the island. It was only fair - the rooms were small by our standards. It was a "motel room". There was not enough room to put a chair to sit and read. And other rooms were smaller. The beach was acceptable. We were so disappointed that we made a reservation to stay one night at Layritz Plantation which we heard was great - but it was awful, and we were happy to get back to Bakoua.

Road signs were awful - we got lost many times.

The best beach was Grand Salines - a very good beach with shade -which was about an hour drive from Fort de France.

The people were very nice - helpful, friendly, even in the very small towns. But if you do not speak French reasonably, you will have a hard time.

There really isn't anything which I would say don't miss. F de F is a few small crowded streets. The museum was good but small. St Pierre and Mt Pelee were unremarkable. The banana plantation and rum distilleries were not worth going out of your way.

Food was fair.

If you want to go somewhere, go to St. Pierre, Mt. Pelee, and Layritz Plantation. At least you will see what's there, and see most of the northern half of the island. Or go directly to Grand Salines beach which is the other way."

FYI - ABC still flies directly from JFK to Martinique.