Ahhh, splendid St. Maarten/St. Martin. We have been several times to this wonderfully scenic island in the Caribbean, shared by two countries, the Netherlands (St. Maarten) and France (St. Martin), and Colleen says it's a place she could see retiring to.
The 37-square-mile island is riddled with gorgeous beaches and yacht-filled waters. The island was first claimed by Columbus for Spain in 1493 but largely ignored by Europeans who turned their eyes toward the conquest of Mexico and South America. The Dutch arrived in the 1620s and found a commercial bounty in the islandâs salt ponds. Later, the island also was claimed by France, and a series of skirmishes were fought before the nations agreed to a treaty in 1648 that split the island between the countries.
Now, visitors can easily travel back and forth from the Dutch and French sides to experience the distinct cultural flair of each. Here are other things to try when you head to St. Maarten/St. Martin.



Thanks for reading, and always travel happy.
JR