5 Reasons to Go To Martinique this Winter

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Baby, it's cold outside. As temperatures across the northern hemisphere drop to down-jacket-worthy lows, thoughts of white sands, warm temperatures, and the infinite pleasures of wearing fewer than four layers of clothing are all but unavoidable. This winter, consider making your escape to Martinique. With newly expanded air service, a major literary milestone, and some of the best rums in the region, this French-Caribbean island beckons.
1. WALK THE LINE
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This year, Martinique celebrates the 100th anniversary of the birth of national poet and noted politician Aime Césaire. One of the founders of the négritude literary movement in 1930s Paris, Césaire also oversaw Martinique's transition from a French colony to department in 1946, and served as mayor of the Martinican capital, Fort-de-France, for over 50 years. He passed away in 2008, but his memory lives on via the newly installed "literary path" at Route de la Trace's Camp Balata, a 19th-century military fort turned mahogany-lined park where Césaire was known to wander. Follow up your visit with a trip to the Balata Botanical Garden, where 3,000 varieties of tropical flora and fauna stand as a living, leafy homage to Césaire, who was also an enthusiastic botanist.
2. FLYING HIGH
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For many travelers, when it comes to choosing which Caribbean destination to visit, it's all about accessibility. Martinique is now poised to answer that call. In April 2013, American Airlines debuted the first-ever direct flights to Martinique from the mainland U.S. That weekly departure out of Miami International Airport proved so successful that, last month, the airline announced it will double its Martinique service to twice weekly through March 26, 2014. In addition, in June 2013, St. Croix-based Seaborne Airlines debuted four direct weekly flights to Martinique from San Juan's Luis Munoz Marin International Airport.
3. MARCH ON

If the sounds of Martinique's racy zouk music put a swerve in your step, go ahead and mark March 1–5, 2014, on your calendar. Martinican Carnival is a four-day celebration across the island, and the mix of French, Creole, African, and indigenous tribal traditions give the proceedings a tropical, transatlantic je ne sais quoi. Festivities include performances in traditional masks; a pajama-clad morning parade in Lamentin; countless street concerts by zouk, steel drum, and beguine bands; and a parade of burlesque drag brides. Because what happens in the Lower Antilles, stays in the Lower Antilles.
4. TASTE THE DIFFERENCE

With 7,000 islands and hundreds of rum distilleries, the Caribbean has no shortage of spirit. Martinique, however, has the distinction of producing the region's only appellation d'origine contrôlée(AOC) rums. AOC, which translates to "controlled designation of origin," is the French government's prestigious label for terroir-driven, gourmet products like Champagne or Roquefort cheese. Martinican rums are made directly from the island's indigenous sugarcane, resulting in some the purest rhum agricole around. Thirsty for proof? Head to Habitation Clément, a 125-year-old distillery in the coastal town of Le Francois, where visitors can spend the afternoon exploring the grounds, which include a Creole mansion, a 4,800-square-foot contemporary arts center, and a brightly lit tasting room where friendly staffers pour samples of the world-renowned Rhum Clément.
5. SAIL AWAY

Unlike some Caribbean resort vacations, where travelers can feel confined to one swatch of land, Martinique's location makes it an excellent jumping-off point for day trips and overnight visits to neighboring islands—without high-season airline prices. L'Express des Iles is a ferry service with multiple daily departures between Fort-de-France, Martinique, and Castries, St. Lucia, orPortsmouth, Dominica. Trips run about 90 minutes to two hours each way, so bring a book and some sunscreen, or tune into the French films screened on board. Be sure to check L'Express's website for schedules and to purchase tickets in advance. Bon voyage!

Emily Saladino is a food and travel writer based in New York City.

Photo credits: Route de la Trace: courtesy of Luc Olivier; Martinique carnival: courtesy of Katsuyoshi Tanaka





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Wisconsin's Canoe Bay Puts Cottage on Sale

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Tucked into the woods of northern Wisconsin, on the former grounds of a children's summer camp,Canoe Bay quickly inched into luxury status after its unveiling in 1993. With some of the cottages designed by a Frank Lloyd Wright protégé (architect John Rattenbury), a superior wine list, a lakefront setting, and farm-to-fork cuisine, the property puts a glam spin on small-town Chetek, Wisconsin, just two hours from Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport.
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In October, the latest cottage—a 400-square-foot structure dubbed Escape—opened to guests. With the new Escape package (from $348/night, double occupancy), accommodations, including a queen bed, living room with fireplace, and screened-in sleeping porch, are met by all-inclusive meals. Dinner is served nightly in a dining room, with wines sourced from Canoe Bay's redwood wine cellar, while breakfast and lunch are delivered to your door in a box crafted by a local Mennonite woodworker.

Activities on the property range from canoeing to bicycling in the warmer months to cross-country skiing and snowshoeing in winter. Year-round, massages can be booked right in your cabin. Also available is an extensive library of books, available in a cozy building nearby, where mugs of tea are always available, as are large picture windows boasting wilderness views.
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Owners Lisa and Dan Dobrowolski—who chucked their Chicago careers in the television business to realize their dream of becoming inn owners—want to make the opportunity to bunk in Escape available to the masses, not just those who visit Canoe Bay. An exact replica of this entirely portable cottage (it's on wheels) can be delivered to addresses across the country. The base price is $79,990 for standard features. Delivery time is estimated at around 120 days and a foundation is not required, just utility hookup. While Canoe Bay's 300 acres and three private lakes can't be transported, the posh accommodations now easily can be.

Kristine Hansen is a freelance writer based in Milwaukee where she reports on food, wine, and travel topics around the globe for Fodors.com, along with new hotel openings. She also writes for Wine Enthusiast, TIME, Whole Living, and American Way. In 2006, she co-authored The Complete Idiot's Guide to Coffee and Tea (Alpha Books/Penguin). You can follow her on Twitter @kristineahansen orthrough her web site.

Photo credits: Courtesy of Canoe Bay

Sicily's Famous Imperial Villa Reopens After Six Years

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On Wednesday, one of the most legendary archeological sites in Sicily, the Villa Romana del Casale at Piazza Armerina, reopened after a six-year hiatus. During that time, this UNESCO heritage site was painstakingly restored by 50 experts, and at a cost of 18 million euros.

Why that long? Well, if you had 120 million mosaic pieces to individually clean, it might take you some time, too. The team worked on nearly 37,000 square feet of mosaic, which is one of the biggest draw at the well-preserved 3rd-century imperial villa. Additionally, new lighting and an elevated pathway over the mosaic floors was added for observational ease. During the cleaning process, the team made newdiscoveries, including a columned porch, a spa, frescoes, and an additional 262 square feet of floor mosaics.
Hot JavThe official re-opening took place on July 4, the 15th anniversary of the UNESCO recognition of the villa. In celebration of the event, however, visitors on July 7 and 8 will be able to visit the site for free. Though the renovation effort cut into the number of tourists to the site, in astatement to the press, Regional Assessor for Cultural Heritage and Identity of Sicily Sebastiano Missineo set the new goal for visitors initially at 500,000 by next year, and 800,000 per year by 2015.
Free PornIf you happen to not be in Sicily this week, not to worry. The rest of the year, a ticket only costs 10 euro. The ticket office is open from 9–6 (gates close at 7 pm) between end of March and end of October, and 9–4 (gates close at 5 pm) from end of October to end of March. Further information regarding the renovations is available at the villa's blog and at villaromanadelcasale.org, though the text is in Italian only.

Photo Credit: Mosaics in Villa Romana del Casale via Shut

What to See in Paris this Summer

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Paris may all but grind to a halt in August, but the cultural scene stays alive and happening all summer. Art and music lovers will find plenty to keep them busy, indoors and out, all across the city.
GERHARD RICHTER: PANORAMA

Centre Pompidou, through Sept. 24

The must-see show of the summer, Gerhard Richter: Panorama follows the five-decade career of Europe's leading contemporary painter. Richter's wildly diverse oeuvre ranges from bursts of abstract expressionist color to ethereal monochromes and the iconic photorealist paintings. If you missed the show in London and Berlin, now's your chance to view the lifetime achievement of a modern master. www.centrepompidou.fr
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Inside Tip: The Louvre's companion exhibit, Gerhard Richter: Drawings and Other Works on Paper (through 17 Sept) covers 50 years of the artist's graphic works, drawings, and other works on paper. An enlightening complement to the Pompidou retrospective.


MISIA: QUEEN OF PARIS

Musée d'Orsay, through September 9

A glimpse into the life of one of Paris's great muses, Misia: Queen of Paris spans the years between the Belle Époque and the Roaring Twenties. Misia's brilliance inspired the artists of her time, who immortalized her in their work: Bonnard, Vuillard, Toulouse-Lautrec, Renoir, and her friendship and patronage extended to the likes of of Satie, Picasso, Diaghilev, Nijinsky, Stravinsky, Cocteau, and Chanel. Misia is brought vividly to life via artworks, documents and the accounts of her contemporaries.

Inside Tip: Dine in splendor under the sparkling chandeliers, gilded moldings, and painted ceilings of the museum's newly restored Belle Époque restaurant. (Open Tuesday – Sunday, 11:45 am to 5:45pm, and until 9:00 pm on Thursdays.)
HISTOIRES DE VOIR: SHOW AND TELL

Fondation Cartier, through October 21

By exploring so-called "naïve" "primitive" and "self-taught" works of art,Histoires de voir: Show and Tell gives voice to artists and communities of artists who "look upon the world with wonder." A joyous tribute to a fresh and exuberant vision, with sculpture, paintings, drawings, and multi-media. Perfect for art lovers of all ages.
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Inside Tip: Don't miss the special family visits and workshops for kids on Wednesday and Saturday.


JOANA VASCONCELOS

Versailles, through 30 September 2012

Following on the heels of Jeff Koons and Takashi Murakami, French-Portuguese sculptor Joana Vasconcelos is the first woman to exhibit at the Chateau of Versailles. The artist evokes the presence of the legendary women who inhabited Versailles through 17 monumental works designed for the château, including a giant pair of court shoes fashioned from stainless steel pots and cutlery.

Inside Tip: Sample the bounty from Louis XIV's private kitchen gardens, designed by the legendary Le Nôtre. Le Potager du Roi gives tours of the gardens and offers freshly harvested fruits and vegetables, along with accessories with the gardens' emblem, to the public.


PARIS JAZZ FESTIVAL 2012

Parc Floral de Paris, thourgh July 29

The city's hotly anticipated jazz event, Paris Jazz Festival, is held in Paris's most beautiful park. For the price of admission to the park ($7.00, children 7 and under free) visitors can hear the leading lights in jazz in an extensive series of afternoon and evening concerts. For classical music lovers, the Festival Classique au Vert (August 4-September 16) offers a superb program of classical music every Saturday and Sunday at 4:00 pm. Each weekend has a different theme: Music and Poetry, Music and Nature, Music and Danse, and more. Stroll the park's 40 acres of lush botanical gardens, settle in for a picnic, or grab a bite at the park's café or tearoom. Perfect for families, the children's playground is Paris's largest and includes a suspended tree park.

Inside Tip: Start with a visit to the magnificent Chateau de Vincennes, France's best-preserved medieval castle and stronghold. The Parc Floral de Paris lies just behind the chateau.


SCÈNES D'ÉTÉ

Parc de la Villette, July 7- August 25

Paris's third largest park, La Villette is home to Cité de la Musique, Cité des Sciences et de l'Industrie, and La Géode, a state-of-the-art IMAX theater. Each summer, the park hosts a hugely popular series of summer outdoor cultural events, including music, dance, and art exhibitions, called Scenes d'Ete. This year's program includes an outdoor exhibition of photographs by artist-photographer Li Wei, modern dance performances by Compagnie XY, African music, hip hop, and a musical homage to the great tango composer Astor Piazzolla.

Inside Tip: Cité de la Musique, Paris's top music venue offers world-class performances of every musical genre from medieval times to the present.
THINKING OF A TRIP TO PARIS?

For up-to-the-minute hotel and restaurant reocmmendations, as well as the best planning advice, check out our Paris Travel Guide.

Photo credits: Gerhard Richter / Centre Pompidou, © Gerhard Richter, 2012; Histoires de Voir: Show and Tell / Fondation Cartier © Francisco da Silva. Photo © André Morin; Paris Jazz Festival: © Maëlle Hénaff; Misia / Musée d'Orsay © Musée d'Orsay; Vasconcelos – Versailles: Photo crédit : Château de Versailles/ DMF, Lisbon/Courtesy Atelier Joana Vasconcelos