Travel in Guadeloupe – Hotels, Guadeloupe Vacations, Lodging, Trips, Attractions and Travel Guide

A Great Vacation On Guadalupe Island

The bay of anse deshaies in guadeloupe lightened by this days last rays of light

Guadeloupe is located in the eastern Caribbean and is a volcanic island. Christopher Columbus was the first European to land on this island in November, 1493. The island is well known for its natural beauty and draws some four-hundred thousand plus tourists a year.

Carbet Falls is located on the Cardet River on the eastern side of the island. Christopher Columbus noted the falls in his log in 1493 and called them “Karukera”, which translates to mean, “the island of beautiful waters”. The highest falls in the cascade series is 410 feet tall and visitors must climb a tall, steep foot path to reach its summit. The second falls is 360 feet and is the most visited because of its convenient location and easier climb. The third and final cascade is 66 feet tall and has the greatest water volume of any of the falls, it is accessible on foot only and open to experienced hikers.

Fort Napoleon des Saintes is located on the island of Terra-de-Haut. It is built into the side of a bluff and was originally called Fort Louis. The structure was completely destroyed by the British forces in 1809 and was rebuilt during the Napoleonic era and used as a prison. Today, the grounds have been turned into a museum which is dedicated to the history and culture of the Saintes. The location also has a large botanical garden and is dedicated to local flora and iguanas.

To the southwest of Marie-Galante is the Grand-Bourg. The island is home to the Marais Folle Anse, a large historical water reserve. The fort was built in 1653 by the French colonists and remains as a reminder of the history that took place on the island. Another interesting place to visit on the island is the Murat Plantation. At its height, the plantation was home to 207 slaves and considered to be the biggest sugar cane plantation in Guadeloupe. Today the grounds have been turned into an eco-museum with exhibits of art and traditions surrounding the three previous sugar cane plantations on the island. The museum also has a library and a medicinal plant garden on the premises.

For an art lover, there is the Armand Baptiste Sculpture Gallery located on Marie-Galante. The gallery has exquisite painted wood and ebony hand carved statutes and artifacts. There is also the Art Gallery Alphonse, which has a collection of paintings and pictures done by local island artists.

The land terrain of Marie-Galante is ideal for hiking and this is a popular activity for tourists who visit the island. Marie-Galante has rolling green hills and several man-made hiking trails that are great for observing wildlife and the foliage of the island. One of the most interesting treks takes hikers from Grand-Bourg to Murat Castle.

In the town of Pizzo is the Murat Castle. The structure was built in the 18th century and was home to J. Murrat, former King of Naples and the brother-in-law to Napoleon Bonaparte. This was the site of his imprisonment, subsequent sentencing and execution.

La Desirade is another island of Guadeloupe and is in the Lesser Antilles. The island was discovered by Christopher Columbus in 1493 and in the past had been home of a leper colony. This island is an ideal spot for fishing, swimming and beach exploration and is the least visited out of all the islands around Guadeloupe.

The island offers several different types of lodgings for accommodating travelers. The Le Meridien St. Francois is a 160-acre property with a beach and a golf course designed by Robert Trent Jones. There is a gourmet restaurant, bar, water sports activities and an opportunity to learn how to pilot a seaplane. Meanwhile, at the Bois Joli (which means pretty forest), guests are offered a tranquil hotel situated on a hilltop. Amenities include two private beaches, a Creole restaurant and breathtaking views of the bay and beach below. The residents of Guadeloupe live a lifestyle centered around tradition and rural community, the island is peaceful and leaves visitors awestruck with its divine beauty.