Guest Author - Ann Carroll Burgess

Imagine taking a vacation in not one but two warm Caribbean islands, and only having to fly to one. That would be St. Martin/Sint Maarten, happily occupied by the Dutch and French for more than 360 years. The border between the two is barely perceptible, you’ll know when you hear a different language being spoken. Not to worry, English is widely spoken in both parts.

Shopping and sandy beaches are a major part of this island’s allure and neither shopper nor suntanner will be disappointed. Head to Pointe Seraphine for everything from French perfumes to Dutch chocolate, guavaberry liquer to Javanese batiks. For handmade items try the morning market in Marigot for hand-woven items such as palm leaf hats. In Phillipsburg, Front Street is where you will find the shopping action. And like so many other Caribbean destinations that cater to the one-day-in-port cruise crowd it is lined with jewelry stores snuggled up to t-shirt emporiums

Ready for the beach? Don’t be shy. The beaches on the French side of the island, such as Orient Beach, have adopted a very St. Tropez topless style. Don’t be surprised that it goes beyond topless to nude. The southern end of Orient beach is home to a naturist resort. This is an excellent choice for a day at the beach if you want music, food, watersports and toilet facilities. A more remote and tranquil beach experience can be found at Long Bay, just north of the Dutch border this is the island’s longest beach with soft silky sand and no facilities whatsoever. Be sure to take what you need and pack out any trash.

On the Dutch side of the island Great Bay Beach is an excellent choice if you want to remain close to Phillipsburg and the casino action. Need a beach with a casino? That would be Maho Beach. Don’t worry if you don’t win at the tables the snorkeling is excellent and there are on-site vendors ready to equip you with a snorkel and fins.

No need to settle for either a singular Dutch or French experience, shuttle busses run frequently between Phillipsburg and Marigot on a regular schedule from early in the day until late in the evening.

If sunning and shopping are not at the top of your list of things-to-do there are a number of other natural pleasures to discover. The Ferme aux Papillons (Butterfly Farm) at Baei de l’Embouchere is a fantastical experience with multi-hued butterflies, miniature waterfalls and tongue-in-cheek guides ready to tell you all about the courting and mating rituals of the winged wonders. There is an admission fee.

Ready to gallop across a beach or take a trail ride? The French side of the island offers at least two stables ready to equip and lead you.

And, of course, snorkeling, diving, windsurfing and kayaking are all available for the adventurous.

Finish it all off with a trip to the Guavaberry Factory Shop to taste the island specialty liquer, in Phillipsburg.