2012 DELTA TRAVEL GUIDE - (Page 32)

ST. MAARTEN St. Maarten Geographically, St. Maarten is one of the world’s strangest places. Not because its ﬂora or fauna are unique, but because it shares its tiny island with the country of St. Martin, turning any vacation here into a delightfully diverse and cultural expedition. St. Maarten, or the Dutch side, is undeniably the entertainment center of the island. Maho Bay is home to several nightclubs and casinos, most of which are open until the wee hours and entice vacationers from every corner of the island. Even the shops here stay open until 11 p.m. or later. The nearby capital of Philipsburg is more of a daytime hangout spot, blessed with a boardwalk that curves along with the shore of the bay it sits on. Fronting the boardwalk, a complex of restaurants, bars and boutiques selling everything from jewelry to clothing to souvenirs entertains beach-goers and boardwalk-strollers, tourists and locals alike. Marigot is the island’s other major city, set in the quaint French side. It’s home to a busy harbor populated with cafes, some with a Caribbean ambiance and others with sidewalk seating and extensive wine lists that feel transported from the streets of Paris. The shopping here is great as well—keep an eye out for French beauty projects and clothing items. At Marigot’s harbor, regular ferry service runs to the nearby island of Anguilla, an ideal day trip for visitors seeking a quieter island experience. Not far from Marigot, the town of Grand Case has a reputation for being the Caribbean’s culinary center—it’s home to dozens of restaurants, with a wide range of styles. Some are upscale French restaurants serving expensive wines and specialty items like escargot. Others, known as “lo los,” are open-air BBQ stands, serving chicken, ﬁsh, beef and pork seasoned with Caribbean spices and served with hearty rice and beans. MUZ 11060 Recmd Ad:MUZ 11060 Recmd Ad 10/7/11 10:12 AM Page 1 Facts • Best time to go: November to May • Fun Fact: The border between the French and Dutch side is said to have been determined by two soldiers who each set out along the coast in a different direction, drawing the line between their place of embarkation and the site where they met again on the island’s other side • getting there: Delta ﬂies from Atlanta to St. Maarten • entry documents: Valid passport • currency: Dutch guilder and euro on French side (U.S. dollars widely accepted) • must-try local Food: Barbecue meats from lo lo stands • Best Buys: Jewelry, electronics, beauty products • inFormation please: St. Maarten Tourist Bureau— vacationstmaarten.com G R A N D C A S E B E A C H C L U B The beach is so close, shoes are strictly optional. Emerald green mountains as a backdrop. The turquoise Caribbean Sea at your feet. Could there be any place more charming than this picture perfect cove called the Grand Case Beach Club ? Two powder white beaches. Fresh water pool. Day and night tennis. Delightful dining. Invigorating water sports. Shopping and excursions. Everything your heart desires. For reservations see your travel professional or call 1-800-344-3016. www.grandcasebeachclub.com D32 january 2012 recommend.com http://www.vacationstmaarten.com http://www.grandcasebeachclub.com http://www.grandcasebeachclub.com http://www.recommend.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of 2012 DELTA TRAVEL GUIDE

Antigua; Aruba
Nassau
Freeport; Exuma
Bermuda; Bonaire
George Town
Punta Cana; Santiago
Santo Domingo; Grenada
Port-au-Prince; Montego Bay
San Juan
St. Kitts; Saint Lucia
St. Maarten
Providenciales
St. Thomas; St. Croix
Acapulco
Cancun
Cozumel
Guadalajara
Ixtapa/Zihuatanejo
Los Cabos
Mazatlan
Mexico City
Monterrey
Puerto Vallarta
Belize City
San Jose
Liberia
San Salvador
Guatemala City
Roatan
San Pedro Sula
Tegucigalpa
Managua
Panama City
Buenos Aires
Brasilia
Rio de Janeiro
Sao Paulo
Santiago
Bogota
Quito
Georgetown
Lima
Caracas

2012 DELTA TRAVEL GUIDE