Imagine paradise where your senses explode with a banquet of color, or scents and flavors exicte, or where you experience exotic tranquility. That is Martinique and those things, along with the islands rich history, are what makes this French Caribbean island so magical.

We enjoyed some planteur punch as we sat on a lovely Martinique beach with Muriel Wiltord from La Martinique Tourism who explained more about the island, it's unique culture and history and why Martinique is unique from other Caribbean islands. With a bit of rhum "research", Muriel also helped us understand why Martinique makes the best rhum in the world.

During our visit to the island we were treated to some wonderful accommodations including Hotel Bakoua--the very first tourist hotel on Martinique. Hotel Bakoua is a former family home that was built in a colonial architectural style. Throughout the years the property has grown but, as General Manager Yves Jacquet told us, the owners maintained its original and authentic style.

We also visited the luxurious Cap-est Lagoon Resort and Spa on the east coast of Martinique. The tropical oasis is tucked away on a garden on the edge of a lagoon that overlooks a coral reef in the Atlantic Ocean. Crystal Ursulet joins us to talk about the history of Cap-est and the role of tourism on Martinique.

One of Martinique's more powerful attractions is the Anse Cafard Slave Memorial. This memorial was completed in 1998 to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the emanicipation of slaves in the French West Indies. The memorial is comprised of 20 eight-foot tall looming statues standing hunched over and bearing brooding expressions of loss and mourning. We met Mariniquian Anne-Laure Bibas who led an elementary school group to the memorial to share what the memorial means to hear and the lessons it holds.

The historic Habitation Clément sits a short drive from Fort De France. It tells the story of Martinique's creoles, its agricultural and industrial heritage. Danielle Lagrand tells us that Rhum Agricole was born at Habitation Clément and that it boasts the culture of an ancient Créole sugarcane plantation with rich French West Indian history. Formerly known as Domaine de l’Acajou, Habitation Clément offers thousands of annual visitors an opportunity to experience old world and new world Créole culture. Habitation Clément was also the setting for a meeting in 1991 between French President Francois Mitterrand, President George H.W. Bush and U.S. State Department delegates as they discussed plans to finalize the end of the first Persian Gulf War.