What to Know about St. Martin, US Virgin Islands
By Dave Pipitone
St. Martin, Virgin Island is a very small island to have been partitioned between two different nations.
This island is half French- St. Martin, and half Dutch- St. Marteen. The border is almost undetectable so the people crossing back to back without even knowing you are entering a new country. There are no customs checks on the border on both two sides so it is safe to travel freely throughout the island.
There are four boundaries on this island, Belle Vue/ Cole Bay, French Quarter/ Dutch Quarter, Low lands/ Copecoy, and Oyster Pond, confirming centuries of peaceful cohabitation and the treaty that made the arrangement possible.
Each side managed to keep hold of the distinctiveness of its own national culture.
The French managed to emphasize comfort and sophistication. The secluded beaches, luxurious resorts providing impressive accommodations, and restaurants that offer the finest dining has made St. Martin, Virgin Island very popular in the Caribbean.
You can actually smell in the air the fresh croissants and pastries mixes everywhere with the spicy aromas of West Indies cooking.
The latest French fashions can be found in many shops in St. Martin. The French side of St. Martin, Virgin Island as a whole is quiet and refined. Marigot, the capital of St. Martin is also a great place for shopping. You can save 25 to 50 percent on American prices when you buy perfume, fine china, crystal, jewelry and European clothes.
Entertainment comes in the form of organized parties at bigger resorts, and discos at some of the restaurants. But, most of the times you can hear reggae bands and piano players in the bars and bistro.
There are many places to explore and enjoy such as the Grand Case which has French, Italian, Vietnamese and West Indies restaurants. These restaurants made the Marigot one of the gourmet centers in the Caribbean.
There are many ways to enjoy in St. Martin, Virgin Island; unfortunately gambling is not one of them because there are no casinos on the island.
But it is not a problem, if you really want to gamble, take a short trip courtesy of your hotel car and go to the Dutch side of the island because they have a dozen of casinos there. Have fun and enjoy!
On the other hand, the Dutch side of St. Marteen is perfect for people who like to partake in a lot of activities. This side of the island is full of activities with its busy port and bustling commercial district has long been an active center for trade and tourism.
Virgin Island cruises provide numerous visitors to this island. Philipsburg, the capital of St. Marteen, offers quality dining, an active nightlife, and bustling duty-free shopping.
St. Marteen is more industrialized as well as more casual, a very Dutch style and still has strong alliance with fellow citizen in the Netherlands Antilles.
St. Martin, Virgin Island vacationers will know immediately that they are in the Gallic Caribbean. The language, currency, the merchandise in the shops, the escargots, and frog’s legs in the restaurants and the pastries and breads in the bakeries, the cars, the fashions and the sheer style- it’s all undeniably French.
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