Peacefully shared for hundreds of years by two sovereign nations, our island consists of the larger but slightly less populous French Side (French St. Martin), which consumes the northern part of the island, and Dutch Sint Maarten, where both the international airport and the cruise ship terminal are located. (American citizens must carry valid passports effective January 1, 2007, to reenter the USA after visiting any Caribbean island.)

The island offers dozens of gorgeous beaches on both its windward (breezy) and leeward (not so breezy) shores, couture shopping for clothes, handbags, and perfume in Marigot, the French Side capital, and jewelry, souvenirs, and fine dining in Philipsburg, the Dutch Side capital.

For exhaustive island information, be sure to visit everythingstmaarten.com. The site, written by long-time island visitor Jeff Berger, covers everything from getting decent airfares to shopping, beaches, car rentals, activities, and much more.