If you appreciate gourmet food, world class duty free shopping, vibrant nightlife, pristine beaches, year-round warm climate and a cosmopolitan atmosphere with a Caribbean twist, Sint Maarten - Saint Martin is for you!
The island of Sint Maarten-Saint Martin is the smallest land mass in the world to be shared by two different nations. Only 37 square miles are owned by France and the Netherlands Antilles. The French territory covers about two thirds of the island and is technically a part of Europe and the European Community. The Dutch side is a member island of the Netherlands Antilles and part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, but not considered European territory. There is no real border, just modest monuments and signs. The island is known as an almost perfect holiday environment; beaches and nightlife are spectacular, shopping and dining the best in the Caribbean. To get a feel of the area covered by St. Martin, multiply 6 miles by 6 miles. You got already 36 square miles... But not to worry, this is the biggest small island in the world. Without visiting, its impossible to imagine the variety of landscape, cultures and entertainment to be found here. St. Martin just doesn't FEEL that small... Its central mountain range provides for a rugged and interesting terrain, with winding roads up and down the hills, through small villages and still plenty of untouched land.
The Caribbean's largest lagoon is the Simpson Bay Lagoon, landlocked with the exception of two narrow channels with draw bridges. The Lagoon is large enough to have a real sail and is home to a giant fleet of yachts, which are either berthed in one of the luxury marinas or anchored in the sheltered waters. St. Maarten has become the yachting center of the Caribbean, home port to some of the world's most outrageous megayachts.
St Maarten/St Martin offers a wide selection of accommodations, ranging from beach side resorts with casinos to charming bed & breakfasts. The vacation villa market is strongly developed, with luxurious estates available for rent on a weekly basis - an attractive and cost efficient alternative for families or groups traveling together.
Dutch St Maarten as a vacation destination has been developed with American visitors in mind: English is the common language, the currency used in almost all transactions is the US-Dollar, current is 110 Volts, cable-TV shows American programming. The island's French side, St Martin, caters to a more international clientèle, but English is still the dominating language and the local population has a very friendly attitude towards American visitors. Even the larger resorts are only of medium size on an international scale, but have on-site casinos, several restaurants and nightlife choices for the guests who don't wish to explore the island further. Which would be a shame... because St Maarten/St Martin is an island to be experienced by car. Rates for rentals are amongst the lowest in the world, and due to the island's modest size, even remote beaches and interesting landmarks can be discovered during a week long vacation. Without sampling the gourmet restaurants of Grand Case, visiting both the Dutch side capital of Philipsburg and its French side counterpart Marigot and experiencing the tropical forest on Loterie Farm, a St Maarten vacation is not complete.
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