Martinique

Thanks to rich soil and a constant climate, abundant vegetation envelops this lush eastern Caribbean isle. The French territory delights visitors with its rain forests and mangroves, orchids and morning glories, fields of bananas and pineapples and freshly caught lobsters and crabs. A must-see is St. Pierre, a port town destroyed by the 1902 eruption of the still-active Mount Pelee. On the northern side, shore excursions venture to rum distilleries, waterfalls and beaches boasting crystal-clear waters. The more remote southern section offers a pottery village, slave memorial and its own share of beach retreats. The island's coral reefs and turquoise sea can be explored by a number of water sports. Off the coast, the volcanic islet Diamond Rock boasts a one-of-a-kind past - during the Napoleonic wars, British troops lived in the small islet's caves to harass passing French warships.

Language: French
Currency: Euro (EUR), US dollar (US$)