There’s a word for St. Maarten/St. Martin – special. The magic starts with the gift of two cultures, a Dutch and a French side of the island and more than 80 nationalities. The party crowd prefers the Dutch side, and those seeking a bit more serenity the quieter French side. You won’t be disappointed with whichever you choose. When it comes to sand and sea, there’s an embarrassment of riches. Your big “dilemma” will be deciding on which of the more than 30 beaches you want to soak up the sun. Expect some of the best snorkeling and diving you’ll find anywhere. It’s all about the water, be it in Hobie cats, catamarans, yachts, kayaks, jet skiing, or paddle boarding in lagoons. Maybe water’s not your thing, no worries. Adventure lovers can hike, bike and get their thrill on the Flying Dutchman, the world’s steepest zipline, (you’re harnessed to a chair and launched down the mountain on a flight dropping 1,050 feet in elevation over 2,800 feet). I wasn’t brave enough to do it, maybe next time. What I had no problem indulging in was all the food, glorious food. With more than 300 restaurants, it doesn’t take long to discover why they call themselves the culinary capital of the Caribbean. 

To read the full article by Sheryl Nance-Nash visit Luxe Beat Magazine.