Comprised of two different islands separated by a narrow seawater channel called Rivire Sale, Guadeloupe is like a little bit of France in the islands.
Grande-Terre, the eastern island, is dotted with sugar plantations across an undulating expanse. Basse-Terre, the western island, sprawls around the 4,800-foot La Soufriere volcano. Its dense tropical forests conceal banana plantations deep within. Guadeloupe also has several remote satellite islands, including Iles des Saintes and Marie-Galante.
ECO-ADVENTURE
Basse-Terre is home to the 74,100-acre Parc National de la Guadeloupe, a vibrant rain forest laden with dramatic waterfalls.
At Grand-Terre's Porte d'Enfer, the limestone lost a battle with the waves and a deep gorge cuts through the rock. In the north, the ruins of windmills pepper the hills. Past the Grand Etang Lake, the Chutes du Carbet plummet more than 400 feet into a silvery basin. Farther north in the Parc National, the Cascade aux Ecrevisses transforms itself into a pool filled with crayfish-a popular dish on Guadeloupe, though the critters in the park are protected.
DINING
While Basse-Terre has the natural attractions, though, Grand-Terre has the food – good Creole-style eats influenced by the spoons of French, African and West Indian chefs. More than 200 restaurants, from elegant eateries to picnic-style shacks, are sprinkled throughout the island. In early August, the female chefs of the islands are celebrated with the Fete des Cuisinieres, a parade that culminates in a day-long feast.
BEACHES
The largest resort strip is also on Grande-Terre at the southern town of Gosier. Moving counterclockwise from the last hotel, a handful of white sand has been tossed here and there between St. Anne and St. Francois. Along the East coast, the Atlantic Ocean batters the shore. Bring a picnic lunch of freshly baked croissants, crabes farcis and a bottle of wine. French, of course.
HISTORY
When Columbus anchored off the coast of Basse-Terre in 1493, he was still in a hurry to find Japan so he didn't tarry for long. In 1635, the French grabbed the islands from the Caribs who lived there. A brief British occupation lasted from 1759 to 1763; thereafter, Guadeloupe and its dependencies were a French province. In 1946, they were classified as a department of France. Later, along with St. Martin and St. Barts, Guadeloupe was elevated to a region.
DON'T MISS
– Cruising on a glass-bottom boat to the Pigeon Island Underwater Park
– Exploring 74,100 acres of the lush Parc National of Guadeloupe
– Dining on French cuisine
