St. Martin/Sint Maarten is the smallest territory in the world governed by two sovereign nations, the Netherlands and France. The 37 sq. mi. island is located at the northern tip of the leeward islands between Anguilla and St. Barts. Travel between the two sides of this Caribbean island is unobstructed and free, but drastic changes occur in lifestyle, cuisine, architecture, and even road signs. Although the native Dutch and French languages are spoken here, English is spoken everywhere and the U.S. dollar is widely accepted.

The laid-back lifestyle of St. Martin is heavily influenced by its French roots but nowhere more than its cuisine. The city of Grand Case on the northern coast is the gastronomic capital of the Caribbean. Dozens of restaurants line the beachfront road with food choices found nowhere this side of Paris. Marigot is the capital city of St. Martin which sets on a beautiful natural harbor and offers great duty-free shopping and cuisine. Ferry boats leave many times daily from Marigot to Anguilla making island-hopping an easy and recommended day trip. The beaches around St. Martin are beautiful and quiet with the most famous being Orient Bay which offers unlimited beach activities during the day and fun-filled nightlife at numerous restaurants, bistros, and bars serving great food, drink, and music.

Sint Maarten isn’t as laid-back as the French side with more of a sense of purpose and business to the Dutch side of the island. The Princess Juliana airport is on this side of the island as well as the cruise ship terminal in the capital city of Phillipsburg. Most cruise ship passengers never get any further than Phillipsburg for its wealth of duty-free shopping. More than half a million cruise ship passengers a year come here for bargains on jewelry, electronics, china, crystal, linen, perfumes, and leather goods. The island has many beautiful beaches and is crammed full of hotels, restaurants, clubs, bars, and casinos. Flights arrive daily from other Caribbean islands as well as Paris, Amsterdam, Frankfurt, and several U.S. cities making Sint Maarten a very cosmopolitan tourist area.

St. Martin/Sint Maarten is a wonderful vacation destination which offers beautiful beaches, great duty-free shopping, and the best food in the Caribbean.