The Winter Haven of St. Barth and St. Maarten
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Vacation like the stars this winter in St. Maarten and neighboring St. Barth. The warm Caribbean waters are perfect for beach lounging while sipping on exotic cocktails made with local rums and Guavaberry liqueurs and for spotting dolphins, whales and the occasional leatherback sea turtle.
Take a break from the beach to enjoy the history of the islands. Part of French West Indies, both islands share a mercurial past with many European colonizers shaping the islands’ cultures. The half-Dutch, half-French St. Maarten/Sint Martin (respectively) is split between the two countries. St. Barthélemy or St. Barth, currently a French territory, was formerly claimed by both Sweden and England. This cultural overlapping make for quirky local character and is marked by many historical buildings such as the St. Barth bell tower built in 1799 and Fort Amsterdam at Pointe Blanche on the Dutch side of St. Maarten.
On St Barth, for something more modern, check in at the discos (night clubs) to dance and rub shoulders with the “stars” as many Hollywood celebrities frequent this small quaint island during the winter season. The nightclubs are also a great way to experience Caribbean culture through music like Calypso, meringue, and reggae.
Aside from local music, many handmade crafts, art and outdoor markets can also be found, as shopping abounds on both islands. Gustavia, in St. Barth, can be easily confused with Paris for all its high-end stores, designer labels and fine jewelry that offer to treat you like a celebrity!
This article was posted on Thursday, January 5th, 2012 at 1:26 pm and is filed under Blog.