In my mind’s eye, I am already walking along the gorgeous sandy beaches and playing in the crashing surf of the waves, as I dream of warm weather and sipping a tropical cocktail under a palm tree, as I sit here working at my desk.

On an exceptionally warm day on the 19^th of October 2005, The Lighthouse at Pier 61, Chelsea Piers in New York, was transformed into a little Martinique with palm trees and exotic tropical flowers and fruits on display. Gracious hostesses attired in typical Martinique madras clothing warmly greeted the guests as they arrived, waiters served tropical drinks and Martinican inspired hors d’oeuvres, and if you really let your imagination go wild, you could almost imagine that the view of the Hudson River was the French Caribbean – well almost. At least you could wish that you were in Martinique. Several hotels, spas and airlines were at the Martinique Magnifique Travel Show at The Lighthouse at Pier 61 to showcase their properties, services and amenities that Martinique has to offer, and guests were invited to sample some of the famous Martinique rhums and liqueurs before the luncheon.

Muriel Wiltord, Director U.S.A.& Latin America, Martinique Promotion Bureau enthusiastically welcomed the guests, and her enthusiasm for Martinique proved to be well deserved as guests watched a short film on Martinique enticing them with visions of pristine sandy beaches, water sports, spectacular gardens, music, culture and cuisine. Whether you prefer active vacations, bicycling, hiking, horseback riding, water sports, or more laid-back vacations with spa pampering or relaxing in the shade of a palm tree with a cool drink, it seems that Martinique offers something for everyone.

Afterwards, there was a delicious Martinican inspired luncheon with a focus on the seafood, and fresh fruits and vegetables of the island to provide guests with a sampling of the gastronomy of Martinique. I look forward to discovering the beauty of Martinique for myself. In the meantime, I will close my eyes, sip a rum punch, and imagine the possibilities.

For more information on Martinique please visit the Martinique website or email them at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .

© December 2005. Luxury Experience. www.LuxuryExperience.com. All rights reserved.