Martinique is truly a little bit of France in the Caribbean. There is a distinct French feeling here--from excellent cuisine and unique shops to the island's fashion-conscious population. This is all spiced with a Creole flavor and West Indian warmth, giving the island a unique cachet and style.

Archeological diggings in Martinique, have uncovered a pre-Columbian history dating back to 3,000 B.C. When Columbus "discovered" the island in 1502, landing at Le Carbet, the island was populated by Arawaks and Caribs. The Carib Indians called the island Madinina, or "Island of Flowers." Some 350 years later, Impressionist Paul Gauguin lived there, and painted the cove and its inhabitants.

Martinique was annexed by France in 1674, and France and Britain fought over the island until 1815, when it was restored to the French. During that time, illustrious Napoleon met a young Martinican girl, Marie-Josephe Rose Tascher de la Pagerie, who became the Empress Josephine. Her childhood home is now a museum.

Slavery was abolished here in 1848, nearly two decades before it was abolished in the United States. Today, Martinique has the status equal to the departments of metropolitan France, and is represented in the French Parliament by four deputies and two ministers.

On May 8, 1902, Martinique's principal city and main seaport, Saint-Pierre, was destroyed by the eruption of Mount Pelee. The volcano killed 30,000 people and sent dozens of sailing ships to the bottom of the sea. There hasn't been a rumble since, but Saint Pierre never recovered and is a sleepy fishing village today.

Today, the capital city of Fort-de-France is a thriving city of 100,000, and the island's other large towns are connected to the capital via multi-lane roadways. Yet you can still find tiny villages dispersed along the island's irregular coastline, hike to deserted beaches, and discover mountain trails in the lush tropical rainforest in the north of the island.

Martinique is a wonderful blend of history, culture, nature, and beauty. It's paradise with style.