Wine and Dine in Martinique

"Rum Tasting at Habitation Clément The only rums in the Caribbean awarded the prestigious label Appellation d’Origine Contrôlée (AOC), Martinique’s signature spirits are made straight from the sugarcane juice and are a source of national pride. Watch the magic happen at Habitation Clément, a 125-year-old distillery. This classified historical monument is located in Le Francois, a city on the Atlantic coast. Spend an afternoon touring the verdant grounds, which encompass more than 40 acres of gardens—and visit the distillation facilities, which age 1.5 million liters of rum annually. Don’t miss the brightly lit tasting room, where you can sample varieties of white, amber, and aged rum, or the on-site permanent exhibition of superb Contemporary Caribbean Art at Fondation Clément. Sponsored by Martinique"

"Decadent Indulgence at Intimate Boutique Hotels Are you the sort of sophisticated sybarite who likes your R&R with a side of culture? If so, you’ve come to the right island. At Le Cap Est Resort, the onsite Spa uses indigenous materials like local cocoa, tea leaves, and ginger root to refresh and rejuvenate sun-kissed skin. Fine arts fans can relax by the pool at Hôtel La Suite Villa, where an extensive collection of original modernist paintings and sculpture accompany an infinity pool overlooking lush greenery and the Caribbean ocean in the distance. Both feature renowned Chefs. Life is good, non? Sponsored by Martinique"

"A jaunt up Martinique's west coast takes you to Le Petibonum, a popular beachside restaurant/bar whoseoutgoing proprietor is nicknamed Hot Pants for his typical attire. Guests sit on a huge covered wooden terrace to enjoy great rum cocktailsand occasional live music while dining on some of the best food on the island, including grilled fish and lobster plucked fresh from nearby waters. In 2015, Caribbean Journal named Le Petibonum its Caribbean Beach Bar of the Year."

"Saint James Distillery Martinique'sSaint James rum celebrated its 250th anniversary in 2015. The distillery, in the northeast part of the island, makes the rum from pure sugarcane juice. During your tour ofthe museum, in a colonial-style house next to the distillery, you'llsee antique equipment from railroad cars to copper vats. Thenchoose a bottle to take home: white, amber, gold or extra-aged."

"An Exclusive Taste of the French Caribbean at Plein Soleil Plein Soleil has only 16 guestrooms and suites spread among five colourful villas. Each villa is designed in the style of traditional Martinican creole cases, or petite houses adorned with wooden fretwork. Just beautiful... But they have tough competition in the looks department from the artfully presented meals served at Plein Soleil's hillside restaurant overlooking the seaside town of Le Francois. Just beautiful..."

"A lively produce market takes placein the Grand Marché Couvert, a huge 1880s glass-and-steel building tucked into Fort-de-France's tight town center. Rows of vendors sell mangoes, pineapples and other tropical fruits, as well as herbs, spices and medicinal elixirs. The pointy, wide-brimmed straw hat called the bakoua makes a great souvenir."

"Recharge With Fresh Sugarcane Juice in Fort-de-France Few things give you the kick needed to continue exploring the tropical city of Fort-de-France like a fresh cup of sugarcane juice! Luckily, it's easy to stumble across presses squeezing out this potent fluid throughout the city's back roads. Usually running nonstop on weekends, do keep your distance when ordering... The hungry presses have a nasty habit of shortening the fingers of the men who spend their days keeping them fed with sugarcane!"

"Grande Anse d'Arlet Bay, on the southwest coast not far from Fort-de-France, is one of Martinique's top beach areas. When you're ready for lunch, Ti Sable restaurant is the place forsucculent seafood served right on the beach,oncanopy-shaded tables."