TRAVEL | POSTCARD FROM
GUADELOUPE
POSTCARD FROM GUADELOUPE
From trendy beach bars and chic boutiques to verdant mountains and mist-shrouded volcanoes, Guadeloupe serves up an enticing slice of France in the Caribbean. Enjoy croissants for breakfast and fine wines at night, and explore the rainforest, reefs and rum distilleries in between. Comprised of five main islands with efficient ferry services connecting them, it’s easy to explore the archipelago’s many faces in a single trip.
Words by Natasha Were.
HIKE through Guadeloupe National Park. Occupying much of Basse Terre, the 74,000-acre reserve offers numerous trails that wind through lush rainforest, with picnic spots to rest at, waterfalls to cool off under, and hot springs to soak in.
CLIMB La Grande Soufriere, Guadeloupe’s towering, still-active volcano. At 4,800 feet, it is the highest point in the Lesser Antilles, but well-marked routes mean you don’t need a guide. If the clouds at the summit clear, your efforts will be rewarded by extraordinary views across the islands.
SAVOUR the local cuisine. The French-Creole nature of these islands gives rise
to wonderful flavours, from freshly baked baguettes and creamy camembert to spicy, fresh seafood. Don’t miss trying Bokit – a twist on the sandwich, this naan-like bread is stuffed with meat and vegetables and deep-fried. Delicious!
SIP a Ti-Punch, the local aperitif made from cane sugar, lime juice, and rum. Guadeloupean craft rhum agricole is one of the islands’ most prestigious exports
and has a distinctive flavour, being made from sugar cane juice rather than the more typical molasses.
SAIL to Les Saintes, a cluster of quaint, car-free islands. The largest, Terre de Haut, is green and hilly, boasting a beautiful bay lined with rustic cafes, candy-coloured houses, and artist’s studios – perfect for a day of gentle browsing, snacking, and people-watching.
SEE how local rum is made. Once home to over 70 distilleries, only eight now remain, but all welcome visitors. The Reimonenq distillery features a museum dedicated to the history of sugar cane and rum, and tours include observing the production process and, of course, participating in various tastings.
LEARN all about chocolate-making at La Maison du Cacao. After strolling through its cocoa orchards, you’ll be treated to demonstrations of the entire process – from raw seeds to finished bar – with plenty of samples along the way.
FOLLOW in the fin strokes of the legendary deep sea explorer at the Jacques Cousteau Reserve. A marine protected area surrounding Pigeon Island, ten minutes from the Basse Terre coast, features various dive and snorkel sites, including ravines, boulders, wrecks and reefs, all teeming with life.
STAY in a beachfront bungalow at La Toubana. With views of neighbouring islands, a restaurant offering refined French-Creole cuisine, an indulgent spa and a lively oceanside cocktail bar, this boutique resort has all the ingredients for a rejuvenating break.