St. Martin/Sint Maarten Main

Try Everything French and Dutch Imagine this day: you rise late, savor a freshly baked croissant for breakfast, stop downtown to have another look at a leather coat you've got your eye on, then head for the beach to take a dip in the warm aquamarine sea. In the evening, you dine at a French restaurant, then hit the casino. If you're looking for a cross-cultural holiday, look no farther than the shared isle of St. Martin (French) and Sint Maarten (Dutch).

View Larger Map ISLANDS contributing photographer David Hillegas recently visited of St. Maarten and took part in the 12-Metre Challenge. It's truly an amazing experience where non-sailing visitors can literally board an America's Cup yacht and sail away. The 12-Metre Challenge is on our list of the Best of the Caribbean 2008.