Each summer time our circle of relatives of 5 loves to commute. Remaining 12 months, we needed to project to Paris however between the prime value of airfare and the Summer time Olympics, it simply wasn’t possible. As a substitute, we opted to visit the Caribbean Island of St. Martin on an immediate flight from Boston Logan World Airport.
This distinctive island contains two international locations with open borders, so there are not any checkpoints when crossing over into each and every one. Saint-Martin is an in another country collectivity of France whilst Sint Maarten is a constituent nation of the dominion of the Netherlands. Regardless of which facet of the island you’re on, you’re feeling like you might be in Europe with a Caribbean twist.
Tourism to the island has been rising for quite a lot of years partially because of the Dutch-French duality enjoy, in keeping with commute recommendation web page TravelAge West. A St. Martin newspaper reported that the island noticed a 7% expansion in cruise tourism in the beginning of 2024.
We stayed on the new JW Marriott St. Maarten Beach Resort and Spa for every week at the Dutch facet of the island, but it surely was once just a five-minute force to the French facet. The plunge pool outdoor our room was once our favourite function of our keep. As we cooled off within the pool, we liked the sea perspectives of 2 islands, harking back to the landscapes you’d see in Italy or Greece. If I sought after a bigger position to swim, I may just stroll only some steps to take a dip within the ocean—through a ways the nearest my lodge room has ever been to the water.
Whilst we had been there, we rented a automobile in order that lets enjoy each side of the island. Riding was once just a little difficult with the entire pace bumps and winding roads, but it surely was once certainly price it. In most cases we use public transportation or stroll once we commute, however neither was once an choice because of the loss of public transit, massive hills and few sidewalks. We couldn’t even stroll to the lodge subsequent door and a cab trip would’ve value $50 spherical commute. We had been in a position to discover all the island (each international locations)—seashores, eating places, ancient forts and extra—which wouldn’t were conceivable with no automobile.
The French facet: Saint-Martin
At the French facet, the respectable language is French. Alternatively, the general public additionally spoke English and did so with us after they learned we had been American citizens. The road signs and menus had been additionally written in French however frequently had English beneath. The respectable foreign money is the euro however U.S. greenbacks are permitted at maximum puts.
Consume crepes in a French café
Probably the most French reviews we had—and my favourite enjoy general—was once consuming breakfast at an out of doors café positioned within the Saint-Martin capital Marigot. My daughter loves crepes so I researched the most efficient crepes in Saint-Martin and located Ti Breizh. Our waitress, who was once additionally the landlord, warmly greeted us with a “Bonjour.” She looked as if it would know the opposite consumers, talking to them in French as they learn the newspaper whilst consuming their crepes. We ate our délicieux meal whilst people-watching the passersby.
Take a ferry to Îlet de Pinel
For a French enjoy very similar to the French Riveria, take the five-minute ferry to Pinel Island, or Îlet de Pinel. We rented chairs and an umbrella for the day. But even so catching some rays at the seaside, you’ll additionally hike a path to view the opposite facet of the island. We dined within the Karibuni eating place for lunch whilst taking note of the workers talk French and observing the boats move through within the harbor. C’est magnifique!
The Dutch facet: Sint Maarten
At the Dutch facet, Dutch is the respectable language however the general public spoke English. Right through our keep at the island as an entire, we heard extra French than Dutch spoken most commonly because of humans talking English at the Dutch facet. The respectable foreign money is the Netherlands Antillean guilder, however the U.S. buck is permitted at maximum puts.
Karaoke on the Oyster Bay Seashore Lodge
Subsequent to our lodge was once the Oyster Bay Seashore Lodge. We ate dinner there one night time after which ventured over to the bar space to observe different visitors carry out karaoke. The entire enjoy—the making a song, the sea perspectives and the cobblestone patio—reminded us of the musical theater manufacturing of Mama Mia, simply with somewhat much less seasoned singers. It won’t were a Dutch enjoy, however there was once certainly a Greek vibe to our adventures that night time.
Dutch Blonde Seashore Bar and Eating place
Situated within the Sint Maarten capital Philipsburg is the Dutch Blonde Beach Bar and Restaurant, which has a windmill like the ones the Netherlands is legendary for, just a bit smaller and not more purposeful. You’ll be able to dine on Dutch delicacies like pannenkoeken whilst viewing the gorgeous Caribbean ocean.
In a position to pack your luggage?
Although we didn’t get to visit Paris, our commute to Sint Maarten/Saint-Martin was once fantastic and allowed us to enjoy quite a lot of Ecu-like international locations along with the Caribbean. We are hoping to go back at some point, so bon voyage or fijne reis—relying on which facet of the island you’re on!
Picture courtesy of FredP/Shutterstock
