2 Best Sights in Guadeloupe

This exquisite 10-acre park is filled with parrots and flamingoes. A circuitous walking trail takes you by ponds with floating lily pads, cactus gardens, and every kind of tropical flower and plant— including orchids galore. Amid the exotic ferns and gnarled, ancient trees are little wooden bridges and a gazebo. A panoramic restaurant with a surprisingly sophisticated lunch menu, plus a snack bar, are housed in terraced gingerbread building: one overlooks the park's waterfall, the other, the mountains. The garden has a children's park and nature-oriented playthings in the shop. A local juice and a snack is included with admission. This excursion is delightful and serene, ideal on an overcast day.

This long (2,600 ft.), palm-fringed beach on half-moon Pompierre Bay is particularly popular with families with small children, as there's a gradual slope, no drop-off, and a long stretch of shallow water. The calm water also makes for good snorkeling. Saintois women may be at the entrance selling snacks and drinks. The curve of the beach is called the Bridge of Stone, and you can walk it—carefully—taking a dip in the crater that fills with water from the Atlantic. Morning sun is best; then go to Le Salako Snack Bar for some grilled fresh fish and a cold one. Amenities: food and drink. Best for: snorkeling; sunrise; swimming; walking.