Basse-Terre
The Southern Island of Guadeloupe, where Casa La Colline is located is home to lush verdant tropical rainforest, a rich ecosystem with an impressive number of endemic species, numerous hikes as well as breathtaking waterfalls. It is the perfect hub for the ecotourist where many places offer activities such as trekking, cannyoning, diving, deep sea fishing, mountain biking…
- La Soufriere Volcano, the highest peak in the Lesser Antilles and its trails,
- Guadeloupe’s National Park—the largest National Park of the Lesser Antilles with 256 miles of marked hiking trails and more than 20 waterfalls (including the spectacular Carbet waterfalls),
- The Pigeon Islets and Cousteau Reserve,
- Trois-Rivieres and Gourbeyre’s natural hot springs
- The Route de la Traversée, with its museums, trails and National Zoo,
- Deshaies town, beaches and Floral park,
- The natural reserve of Grand Cul-de-Sac Marin and the Mangrove swamps—a nature reserve dotted with islets between Basse-Terre and Grande-Terre,
- Basse-Terre town, labelled City of Art and History,
- Unique traditional villages of Vieux-Habitants and Bouillante.
Grande-Terre
The Northern Island of Guadeloupe sits on a vast limestone plateau bordered with pristine beaches, turquoise lagoons and featuring unforgettable scenery. It is home to vast sugar cane plantations, museums and untouched sea cliffs and sceneries. Towns like Gosier and Saint-Anne concentrate many restaurants serving the famous traditional French-Créole cuisine, as well as numerous night clubs, well known for their hot Caribbean nights.
- Boating around the numerous nearby sandy islands such as la Biche Islet, Caret Islet, le Gosier Islet with its underwater trail,
- Sailing to Petite Terre, the protected archipelago home to numerous marine species,
- The Memorial ACTe Museum in Pointe-à-Pitre, paying tribute to the millions of destinies and lives shattered by the slave trade,
- Saint-François Golf course—a stunning 18-hole golf course designed by Robert Trent Jones, right on the coast,
- La Pointe-des-Châteaux—a site of unparalleled biodiversity and archaeological treasures that has been named “Grand Site de France”,
- The Grande Vigie point and the Gates of Hell—monumental cliffs with unforgettable vistas,
- A cultural tour including the Basilica Saint-Pierre et Saint-Paul and the Schoelcher museum in Pointe-à-Pitre, the fortress Fort Fleur d’Épée in Gosier,
Islands hop-in
Island hopping is a must when visiting Guadeloupe. The 5 Guadeloupe Islands are unique and offering a wide range of leisure activities developed around 4 main themes: Water Treasures, Green Attitude, Fooding, “Art de vivre”…
- Les Saintes: Only a 15 minutes ferry ride from Trois-Rivières, these tiny islands allow visitors to enjoy a slice of the old Caribbean with its colorful streets, multicolored fishing boats, and painted wood houses. It is home to stunning beaches like the Pain de Sucre, first-class diving and some wonderful restaurants.
- Marie-Galante: a delightfully undeveloped and untouched by tourism-island, beloved by those who enjoy the slow life, Marie-Galante displays an old colonial tradition, knock-out unspoiled beaches, some fascinating old buildings, and some top-notch eating. It is also known as the Island of Hundred Windmills and the “Land of the best rums in the world”. It is not uncommon to see ox-drawn cart, not to mention that cockfighting and ox pulling competitions as they are still very much a part of the local and popular culture.
- La Désirade: “The Forgotten”, La Désirade, the oldest island in the Lesser Antilles, and a geological Natural Reserve, is accessible by sea (45 minutes from Saint-François) or by air (15 minutes). Tranquility and simplicity are the characteristics of this island that can be explored by scooter or on foot, through its single road. La Désirade is well known for its beautiful white sandy beaches protected by long coral reefs, its lobsters and the warm hospitality of its inhabitants.
Premier Dining
With over 200 restaurants and a rich culinary heritage, the Guadeloupe Islands are a premier dining destination. The local chefs are creatively inspired by the fresh and flavorful ingredients of the Caribbean mixed with a strong French culinary tradition, delivering a unique gourmet experience known as Nouvelle-Creole Cuisine.
Grande-Terre offers sophisticated dining scene, Basse-Terre is known for its selection of Creole restaurants, La Désirade for its fresh seafood, Marie-Galante for its organic farms, and Les Saintes for its decidedly French influence.
The rich culinary heritage which expresses Guadeloupe’s French, African, Indian and Caribbean cultural influences pervades everyday life.
Guadeloupean Cuisine can be enjoyed in the many picturesque restaurants and other eateries found in the cities, in the countryside or by the seaside in fishing villages, and in food stalls located along the main roads.