Martinique & Guadeloupe
Moderate pace with leisurely intermittent walks up to 2 hours on a variety of terrain, including cobblestones and moderate hills. Must be able to climb at least two flights of stairs, negotiate steps without railings and tolerate periods of standing during guided tours. Some days may include 3–5 km of walking over the course of the day.
We fly to Martinique from Toronto or Montreal and transfer to our hotel, with the rest of the day free until our Welcome Dinner at the hotel’s fine dining restaurant.
We board the sea shuttle to Fort-de-France for a guided walking tour that includes the colourful central market, the Aimé Césaire Museum, and the famous Bibliothèque Schoelcher, built in France for the 1889 World Exposition. Afternoon at leisure.
We embark on a full-day tour (by coach) of Martinique’s northern region. Our first stop is the beautiful Balata Botanical Garden, then we travel through lush rainforest to a local restaurant for a delicious Creole lunch and a visit to the Depaz Distillery for a taste of award-winning rum. Next up is the Frank A. Perret Museum, and finally a stop and stroll at lovely Carbet Beach for a small stroll.
A free day to explore the colourful streets, boutiques, and galleries of Pointe du Bout, hit the beach or just wander through our hotel’s beautiful tropical gardens.
Our full-day tour begins at Le Musée de la Pagerie, the birthplace of Napoleon’s first wife. Then we visit Habitation Clement, an 18th century sugar plantation and rum distillery with a designated “Remarkable Garden.” We continue to the southernmost part of the island, enjoying a typical lunch en route, and arrive at the famous Les Salines beach for a swim in the turquoise water.
A full day to unwind and enjoy our hotel. You may also want to visit La Savane des Esclaves, a re-created village that depicts the life of slaves who escaped plantations to live off the land. Or, check out the Pottery of Trois-Islets, one of the world’s oldest active brick factories. The village is home to artisans, potters, and authentic Creole cafés.
We fly to Guadeloupe’s Grande Terre Island for a 6-night stay. Afternoon at leisure.
Our tour begins with a scenic drive along the “Route de la Traversée,” through tropical forests in the National Park. After a stop at pretty Crayfish Waterfall, we’ll follow the coastline to the commune of Deshaies for a visit to the Botanical Garden—which boasts incredible tropical plants and colourful birds including lorikeets, macaws, and Caribbean flamingos. Next up is the Ecomuseum, where we’ll learn about the traditional medicinal garden. We finish with a cocoa workshop and lunch (included).
A day to relax at our beach resort, or enjoy an excursion to Les Saintes Terre-de-Haut Island, known for its coral-rich waters, palm-lined Les Saintes Bay (one of the world’s most beautiful bays), and the 19th-century Fort Napoléon. Alternatively, enjoy a cruise and snorkeling at Cousteau Reserve with its abundant marine life including turtles.
Today we discover this charming town’s busy port, lively markets, traditional homes, and street art, and visit the impressive Mémorial ACTe Museum (Slave Trade Museum).
The first stop on our tour is the commune of Sainte-Anne, known for its market, which offers a wonderful selection of culinary specialties and souvenirs. Then, at Pointe des Châteaux (where the Atlantic meets the Caribbean), we’ll see cliffs sculpted into dramatic castle-like formations, and take in the panoramic view of the neighbouring islands. We’ll enjoy a delicious lunch before continuing to historic Morne-à-l’eau Cemetery, where nearly all the crypts are decorated with checkered black and white tiles.
A final day of leisure in this incredible place. This evening is our Farewell Dinner.
We bid a warm farewell to Guadeloupe and head home via Montreal.
You may cancel your tour up to 60 days prior to departure (90 days prior for tours requiring a visa, cruises or rail journeys) for any reason, and receive a full refund of your deposit / payment (less the $75 administration fee).
Cancellation & trip interruption insurance included!
Included in the cost of your tour is our Cancellation Insurance Policy, which provides coverage in case of emergency injury or illness (including Covid), right up to your date of departure (terms and conditions apply).
Our Manulife Out-of-Country Health Insurance Plan covers expenses related to Trip Interruption in case of emergency injury or illness. For tours within Canada, Senior Discovery Tours will cover such expenses (terms and conditions apply to all policies).
