Located on a long stretch of beachfront, the Sunterra Royal Palm Resort St Maarten exhibits the dual Dutch/French heritage and Caribbean hospitality of the area. On-site recreation includes boating, fishing, jet skiing, water skiing, parasailing, windsurfing, volleyball, and plenty more. Activity programs include Manager`s Cocktail Party, Bingo, Aqua Aerobics, and Caribbean Extravaganza featuring King Beau and his Beaubettes. There is an outdoor pool, fitness center, hair salon, and gift shop on site. For dining, guests can utilize the restaurants, snack bars, lounge, barbecue and picnic area, or grocery store.

The smallest island in the world (only 37 square miles) ever to have been partitioned between two different nations, St. Martin/St. Maarten has been shared by the French and the Dutch in a spirit of neighborly cooperation and mutual friendship for almost 350 years. The border is almost imperceptible and people cross back and forth without ever realizing they are entering a new country. On the bustling streets of Philipsburg (make that booming streets when cruise ships dock), restaurants serve a rijstafel worthy of Amsterdam and reckon your tab in guilders (greenbacks widely welcome if you prefer). Summoning a cognac at a waterfront cafe in Marigot, you might be on the Riviera.

Except, perhaps, on market days, when plantains, papaya, and giant vanilla beans recall you to this island in the tropics.