My lady and I have booked a trip for the end of August to St. Maarten. We both are from Miami,Fl. and are used to the tourist life.Please help me with suggestions to make my trip not just another day in Miami. <BR>I thank you all in advance, <BR>Caetano

The better places to eat (overall) are definately on the French side. Several good places around the Harbor at Marigot. <BR>Also, some great restaurants in Grand Case. <BR>However, the best meal on the island (and one of the best I've ever had) was at Mario's Bistro in Sandy Ground (just outside Marigot.) Didier, the co-owener, is a really nice guy and the staff is extremely friendly. Make reservations! <BR>One caveat, some places on the French side may be closed in August as that is the traditional vacation month for the French.

For an amazing breakfast on the French side, be sure to visit "Z Best". It's a sidewalk cafe near the marina. Wonderful fresh baked goods, etc. <BR> <BR>Lots of beaches to visit. My favourite is Cupecoy. <BR> <BR>Be sure to rent a car for part of your visit atleast. It's the best way to get to see the island. <BR> <BR>Enjoy!

St. Maarten/Martin seems to get bashed alot on this forum. As you'll see when you get there it's all unjustified -- it's a great place. <BR> <BR>Le Bar de la Mer in Marigot is great for grilled fish and lobster outdoors by the water. <BR> <BR>L'Alabama is a great French restaurant in the heart of Grand Case. <BR> <BR>The Sunset Beach Bar, at Maho Beach, is a great place to party and watch the large airplanes come in. The runway is literally across the street. The grand daddy of them all, the Air France 747 comes in around 4:30. <BR> <BR>La Belle Epoque in the marina in Marigot is a good spot too. <BR> <BR>Rent a car, drive around. There's no shortage of excellent beaches, things to see and great places to eat. <BR> <BR>If you haven't already, log onto both www.gobeach.com and www.traveltalkonline.com for more info on St. Martin. <BR>Check the www.sunsetbeachbar.com site as well. <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR>

1. take a day and go by ferry from marigot to Anguilla. have lunch at Shoal Bay and come back on the last ferry <BR>2. sail on the America's Cup yachts.. <BR>3. visit the Butterfly farm , the st. maarten zoo, and loterie farms. loterie farms has food and on the weekend jazz ..all in a beautiful mountain setting <BR>4. for a special evening dine at le tastevin in Grand Case <BR>5. and , of course, go to Orient Beach. have ribs at pedro's. <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR>

Go to Lee's for lunch or dinner. It's a little roadside place across from the Royal Palm. Fishing boats go out every morning and they cook up the catch. Can't get fresher than that. A couple of night a week they have entertainment and dancing. Fun people.