dossier

Exploring the French Caribbean

Day 1: Arrive on Guadeloupe
Arrive at Pointe-a-Pitre airport, where you collect your rental car.  Then an easy 75 min drive to your hotel 

Day 2: Three Cabret Waterfalls 
A relaxing day exploring Basse Terre's cascading Cabret waterfalls.  A stairway of three thundering falls descend from their source on La Soufriere 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

You arrive at Terre de Haut's harbour where colourful fsihing boats sway gently in the sheltered bay.  A coastal cacti-fringed path winds towards Pompierre Bay.  A relaxing beach picnic, shaded by magnificent palm trees, before strolling back to the Napoleonic Fort where iguanas bask in the sunshine.

Day 4:  North Basse Terre

Ambling past colorful Creole houses, today you explore Guadeloupe's agricultural heartland.  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

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, where you can lunch on fresh fish and bread fruit as waves gently lap the shore.

Day 6:  Grande Terre's Coastal Paths

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 agains 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 declicious dinner at Jardin Malanga.

Day 7:  Transfer to Martinique

After a tropical breakfast, take the coastal road back to the airport for your 40 min flight to Martinique.  It's an easy 40 min drive to your beautifully restored colonial house hotel.

Day 8:  Exploring Northern Martinique

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 a Voile - the perfect setting for an al fresco lunch.

Day 9:  The sleepy southern coast

Driving south past sugar cane and banana plantations you reach the southeast Atlantic coast.  Frigate brids 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 Creve Coeur, where an easy ascent rewards you with incredible views across sleepy St Anne, its turquoise harbour dotted with colorful fishing boats.

Day 10:  Free day

Perhaps take time to relax today in the hotel's vast gardens or by the 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.

Day 11:  La Caravelle Peninsula

Descending through dry tropical forest you reach the salt rich coastal mangroves.  After a picnic overloking the ocean, explore the ruins of chateau 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  - and one last Punch Planteur on the moonlit terrace.

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.

Singles:Please phone for details.

Add $155 per night departures Apr 7 to May 19 2008.  $180 per night departures Feb 11 to Mar 24 2008 departures.   $203 Nov 10, 24 & Dec 8 2008 & Apr 20-May 18 2009 departures. $250 Dec 29 2008 departure.  $233 Jan 12-Apr 6 2009 departures. 

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Extranights:

: Domaine de St Aubin, Martinique 3*$207 half board, singles $301 (stays Apr 14 to May 31 2008), $258 half board, singles $406 (stays Feb 11 2008 to Apr 13 2008).$230 half board, singles $352 (Nov 1-Dec 19 2008 & Apr 18-May 31 2009), $301 half board, singles $480 (Dec 20-Jan 9 2009), $278 half board, singles $429 (Jan 10-Apr 17 2009). 

Jardin Malanga, Guadeloupe 3* $250 half board, singles $429(Jan 9 to Nov 9 2008), $268 half board, singles $444 (Dec 21 2007 to Jan 8 2008), $260 half board, singles $403 (Nov 1-14 2008), $276 half board, singles $429 (Nov 15-Dec 20 2008 & Jan 7-Nov 14 2009), $299 half board, singles $454 (Dec 21-Jan 6 2009). 

There is a special supplement for people staying over New Year $319 pp included in holiday cost but if special price calculated needs to be added.  Please note extra car hire costs will need to be paid if extra nights taken. 

All extranight prices are per person, per night based on 2 people sharing adouble room.