The northern two-thirds of Saint Martin is French, while the remaining third is Dutch. Legend has it that a Dutchman and a Frenchman met on the beach to divide the island equally among their respective countries. However, the Dutchman was plastered with gin at the time, so the Netherlands ended up with less territory. Whether this legend has any truth to it, there are many places you can visit to learn more about the island's dual heritage. Fort Saint Louis, designed to protect Embouchure Bay, offers spectacular views of Saint-Martin's capital, Marigot. There's Fort Amsterdam, Fort Saint Louis' Dutch counterpart, standing guard over Sint Maarten's Great Bay. You can also check out La Plantation Mont Vernon, a vast plantation representing the island's agricultural wealth.
The island of Saint Martin might be split in terms of its French and Dutch halves, but it terms of great beaches there's nothing to divide them. Perhaps the most famous of them all is Maho Beach, where the planes pass almost within a hair's breadth of sunbathers as they come into land at Princess Juliana Airport. Elsewhere, it's just a question of whether you're looking for total seclusion or a laid-back bar; either way the views and the sunshine are as good as guaranteed.
Forget about dieting while in Saint Martin. This island has the reputation of being one of the best foodie destinations in the Caribbean, and stuffing your face until you're about to split is the only way you can do justice to its culinary wonders. But where to do this face-stuffing? Check out these restaurants:
The island of Saint Martin is on the northeastern side of the Caribbean Sea. It has a total area of 87 sq km – 53 sq km belong to the French Saint-Martin, and 34 sq km to the Dutch Sint Maarten. Saint-Martin's capital is Marigot, while Sint Maarten's is Philipsburg. Despite being smaller, Sint Maarten contains more of the island's 78,000-strong population. English and French are both official languages on the island, but an English-based creole language is more commonly used. Official currencies are the euro and the Netherlands Antillean guilder – in most cases, though, you can pay for goods and services throughout the island with the US dollar.