dossier

Exploring the French Caribbean

WHERE YOU STAY - DAY BY DAY

Jardin Malanga ***
Trois Rivieres, Days 1-6

The Jardin Malanga is a historical plantation house that was built by a local banana plantation owner in the 1920s. The 7 hectares of tropical gardens that surround the hotel today were once given over to banana production (although there are still some banana trees in the garden along with mango, guava, star fruit and other trees and flowers). Breakaway guests normally stay in the log cabins, which have been built in the garden, just opposite the main house. The three cabins each have two double bedrooms (with king size beds) and private terrace with hammock and patio furniture. The two rooms have completely separate entrances via patio doors but if you are staying with friends, it’s possible to unlock the interconnecting door so that you can access each other’s rooms internally. All rooms have air conditioning and fan. The décor is in keeping with the cabin feel to the accommodation; expect dark wooden furniture contrasted by the brightest white linen and complimented by the vases of tropical blooms on the bedside table. In the bathroom, there is a shower over bath, and hairdryer.

Day 1   Arrive on Guadeloupe

Arrive at Pointe-à-Pitre airport, where you collect your rental car . Then an easy 75min drive to your hotel.

Day 2   Three Cabret Waterfalls  10km/6mi

A relaxing day exploring Basse Terre’s cascading Cabret waterfalls. A stairway of three thundering falls descend from their source on La Soufrière volcano, which forms a jagged backdrop to the day. Yellow warblers swoop overhead, as the Cabret River gushes through rainforest thick with ferns, ruby heliconia and tree vines on its journey to the tranquil Caribbean waters at Capesterre-Belle-Eau.

Day 3   Les Saintes  5km/3mi or 7km/4mi

You arrive at Terre de Haut’s harbour where colorful fishing boats sway gently in the sheltered bay. A coastal cacti-fringed path winds towards Pompierre Bay and to the Napoleonic Fort where iguanas bask in the sunshine. Time to relax on the palm-fringed sands or take a dip in the sea before heading back to Jardin Malanga.

Day 4   North Basse Terre  10km/6mi

Today you explore Guadeloupe’s agricultural heartland where fields of sugar  cane blanket the rolling landscape and pure white egrets speckle the panorama. Nearby Plage des Amandiers provides a tempting spot for a refreshing dip in the sparkling Caribbean waters.

Day 5   Marie Galante

For a relaxing day take the early morning ferry (small cost, pay locally) to Marie Galante, an island paradise of turquoise waters, swaying coconuts and sun kissed sands. Walking through mango, almond and guava trees, you descend to beautiful Plage de Moustique, the air fragrant with white frangipani for lunch. Alternatively, we provide walking notes for the more energetic to hike La Soufrière.

Day 6   Grande Terre’s Coastal Paths  4km/2mi or 7km/4mi

First to Pointe de la Grande Vigie viewpoint, spectacular views of Antigua and Montserrat on the horizon. An inland path bright with pink oleander and trumpet trees leads to Pointe du Souffleur , where Atlantic breakers crash against the jagged volcanic cliffs. Then along the coast to Porte d’Enfer lagoon, for a late afternoon swim then back to your hotel for your final delicious dinner at Jardin Malanga. 

Day 7   Transfer to Martinique

After a tropical breakfast, take the coastal road back to the airport for your 40min flight to Martinique. It’s an easy 25min drive to your beautifully located Plein Soleil just outside Le François.

Hotel Plein Soleil ***
Le François, Days 7-11

The gorgeous Hôtel Plein Soleil is a small 3 star family run hotel, which is discreetly situated near to Le François on Martinique’s eastern shores. This 16-room villa-style accommodation offers stunning views over Thelmont Bay. It is small and intimate, with exceptional service and eye to detail. The hotel is set in its own grounds, with the reception and restaurant in the main building. The rooms themselves are situated in 3 creole style, brightly painted villas. Each room has its own separate entrance. The hotel only has double rooms but all are ensuite (shower only) with ceiling fan and hairdryer. There are different categories of rooms; however all are very Creole in style – extremely elegant with either white washed wooden or brightly painted walls, tiled floors, pretty wooden furniture and beds with white drapes and pristine white linen. The suites benefit from their own private individual pool; however there is a large pool with sun loungers for all guests to use.

Further details on the hotel website.

Day 8   The Sleepy Southern Coast  5km/3mi

Driving south past sugarcane and banana plantations you reach the southeast Atlantic coast. Frigate birds swoop overhead as you explore the Domaine de Grand Macabou, a lonely chapel guards the headland. A sheltered palm fringed bay, scattered with conch shells, appears magically through the mahogany forest. Continue to Piton Crève Coeur , where an easy ascent rewards you with incredible views across sleepy St Anne, its turquoise harbour dotted with colorful fishing boats.

Day 9   Exploring Northern Martinique  4km/2mi

After a visit to the Volcano Museum in St Pierre, you head to the northern Caribbean coastline. Here a path contours the craggy headland past spectacular Kapok trees strung with lianas, before descending to stunning Anse à Voile - the perfect setting for an al fresco lunch.

Day 10  Free day

Perhaps take time to relax today by the hotel’s sparkling pool. Or follow the incredibly scenic Route de la Trace, which weaves inland across the island’s spine through the Absalon rainforest, studded with scarlet heliconia, returning perhaps via Le François.

Day 11   La Caravelle Peninsula  7km/4mi

Descending through dry tropical forest you reach the salt rich coastal  mangroves. After a picnic overlooking the ocean, explore the ruins of Château Dubuc – a fascinating reminder of plantation days. Time for a paddle at Tartane’s sandy bay before returning to the hotel for your final gastronomic dinner .

Day 12   Return home

After a relaxing morning by the pool, or perhaps some last minute shopping in Fort de France, you drive to the airport in time for your flight home.

WALKING DETAILS

This holiday is a mix of gentle walking and sightseeing - no major ascents or descents are compulsory, and a head for heights isn’t necessary. Walks mainly follow gentle, well maintained paths, but on some days the rainforest terrain can be uneven, wet and slippery, so walking boots that dry quickly are recommended.

For extra nights we recommend either of the above hotels