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The Chris Robinson
Travel Show
Saturday Jan 08, 2011
11:00 am – 12:00 pm EST
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Weekly Prize: Expires 8 Jan, 2011
Click the yellow Enter Contest box to send your CJAD 800 email question to Chris on Martinique and for a chance to win a set of valuable Frommers Travel Guides to help plan your vacation. The set includes a guide for Canada, the USA, the Caribbean and Europe.
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Enter
Contest |
Martinique - c’est magnifique!
This week we discover the unique Caribbean island of Martinique – 40 kms north of St Lucia in the in the heart of the Caribbean archipelago. Martinique has a mild climate and the heat is never excessive. With an average temperature of 26 degrees, Martinique is the island of the “never-ending summer.” The trade winds from the east and northeast provide a steady, refreshing breeze.
Due to its tropical climate, Martinique is lush with vegetation: lavish tropical forests, groves, savannas, countless species of trees, fruits, plants and flowers - not to mention the mangrove forests. The island is an extraordinary garden!
The rugged mountainous landscape to the north includes the island’s highest peak, majestic Mt. Pelée at 4,500 ft - and nearby is “The Pompeii of the Caribbean”, St. Pierre. Destroyed during the 1902 Mt Pelée eruption, today the town is the district capital of the Caribbean North district and has been officially recognized as a city of Art and History.
Throughout the island, Martinique boasts a wide variety of ecotourism activities with well-marked hiking trails, exceptional canyoning sites, backcountry routes for adventure and exploring, horseback riding, and much more. The north is characterized by dense forests, rivers and waterfalls. In the center, the Lamentin Plain transitions to the south’s gentler landscape of rolling hills. The southern coast is dotted with many picturesque bays and coves.
If your idea of a great vacation involves picture perfect beaches, then the island of Martinique is for you. In the south, a plethora of white sand beaches dots the entire southern Caribbean coast. Swimmers will especially appreciate the secluded lagoon feel of the clear waters along the southern Atlantic coast, which is protected by coral reef barriers. In the north, vacationers can enjoy the unique and lush setting of black sand beaches near Le Carbet and Le Prêcheur.
Martinique has a diverse population stemming from the cultural mixing of the island’s successive inhabitants: Amerindians, Europeans, Africans, Indians, Levantines and Asians. Approximately one quarter of the population resides in the capital, Fort de France.
Martinique is a land of tradition and culture, with a rich history of crafts and literature by renowned authors and famous poets, music and dance, lifestyle and gastronomy. The official language is French, although everyone speaks Creole, a language that is a blend of Old French, English, and African languages, as well as surviving Amerindian terms
The Caribbean island with French flair, The Isle of Flowers, The Rum Capital of the World, The Isle of the Famed Poet (Aimé Césaire) – by any one of its many names Martinique remains one of the most alluring and enchanting destinations in the world. Named “Best Gourmet Island of the Year” in 2008 and 2009 by Caribbean World Magazine, Martinique is an overseas region of France that stirs the passions with distinctive culinary delights, awe-inspiring natural beauty, a rich cultural history, warm smiles and so much more. Napoleon’s bride, Empress Josephine, was born and raised here
And you can discover the finest French products from 18 carat gold, fashion items at Galleries Lafayette, and the many treasures found at the market. Martinique offers chic sophistication and fine resorts and hotels. And it was named “Best Gourmet Island of the Year” two years running. The French influence continues with “La Route des Rhums”, a tour of the world’s finest rum distilleries based on France’s famed Route des Vins.
A special place, to be sure, with so much to offer – Martinique c’est magnifique! Make it your own and find out more at www.martinique.org.
Tune in on Saturday This week, to help one listener plan their vacation, we will be giving away a set of valuable Frommers Travel Guides. The set includes a guide for Canada, the USA, the Caribbean and Europe.
Frommer's has been the leading name in travel publishing since 1957. It is considered the most trusted name in travel with the largest market share of any travel guide series in North America. Visit www.frommers.com
For your chance to win, phone into the show at 514-790-0991, 1-800-491-CJAD, or *TALK on your cell, or send your question any time this week by entering the contest here online by clicking on the Yellow "Enter Contest" button.