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St Martin
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Saint Maarten is the smaller, Dutch part of a beautiful and lively Caribbean island shared peacefully with France. It's the world's smallest island on which two separate nations, with two very different characters and sets of laws and customs, co-exist on either side of a border marked only by welcome signs. The Dutch section of the island - only 17 square miles (44 sq km), of which five lay under the waters of lagoons and salt ponds - has become one of the Caribbean's most popular vacation and shopping destinations. Not only can visitors hop across the invisible border to get a taste of French Caribbean life - although the excellent cuisine in Sint Maarten is cosmopolitan - they can also enjoy the advantages of shopping in one of the world's few completely tax-free ports. In Philipsburg, the capital, there are more than 500 stores in pastel-coloured, clapboard Dutch-style buildings selling luxury goods at 25 to 50 per cent below normal prices. Goods to the value of US$600 can be taken home duty-free from Sint Maarten by American citizens, many of whom arrive in Caribbean cruise ships putting in for one-day shopping trips. For truly local shopping with a Caribbean flavour, do not miss Philipsburg's Saturday market. Children will enjoy Sint Maarten's zoo, where they'll see ocelot wildcats, bat caves, marmosets, owls and capybara -- which look like giant hamsters. Grown-ups in search of a turn at the tables can try their luck at the 12 casinos in Dutch Sint Maarten - there are none on the French side - or sample the island's lively nightclubs. The island's fascinating history - although owned by the Netherlands and France since 1648 it has also been occupied by Spain and Britain - can be glimpsed in Philipsburg's museum and at the ruins of colonial forts, one of which, at Great Bay Harbour, was the first military base built by the Dutch in the Caribbean. For rest and relaxation after shopping expeditions, sight-seeing trips and nights on the town, there are superb beaches offering safe swimming, the full range of watersports from surfing and scuba-diving to parasailing and jet-skiing and fine ocean-side restaurants. The sporting highlight of Sint Maarten's year is the Heineken Regatta - in March - which draws yacht crews from across the world and which provides an excuse for parties and steel bands shows on both the Dutch and French sides of the island. Why not accept the year-round 12-Metre Challenge, which lets sailors, even those without any sailing experience, join the crew of the Americas Cup yacht Stars and Stripes. This intimate property combines sophisticated French styling with Caribbean hues and vibrancy. A place of warmth and intimacy on the beach of Orient Bay (voted one of the Top 10 beaches in the World) where the 42 rooms, junior suites and duplexes are spaciously laid out with large terraces that overlook the pool, beach and ocean. They feature a romantic mix of lovely cotton fabrics and old colonial style furniture while maintaining all the modern conveniences and comforts of home such as AC, TV, iron & hairdryer. Kakao Beach, your beach front restaurant, offers Creole and uropean specialities as well as seafood in a charming Caribbean atmosphere. Kakao Beach also offers guests of Alamanda complimentary chaise lounges and umbrellas right on the beach. Four other restaurants each with different themes are also available nearby. Everything has been planned for Alamanda Resort to be your magic place and to offer you everything your heart desires. |
Holiday Details
| Duration |
7 Nights |
From |
04-12-2007 to 30-05-2008 |
Accomodation
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Alamanda Resort |
Depart
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Dublin
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Bedroom
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Double |
Prices From
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€ 1,576 p.p sharing
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| Includes |
Flights and accommodation 7 Nights on an accommodation only basis. Taxes are approx 200pp extra, Insurance is an optional extra.
Subject to availability upon the day of booking.
Please contact Orla on 01 241 2309 or email otooher@gohop.com |
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