Culinary Escapade on Martinique

The island of Martinique just announced a new late-summer event that's perfect for you foodies out there. In partnership with Tour de Forks, a stateside operator of special culinary events, the new Martinique Culinary Escapade will combine five nights accommodations at the très chic Hôtel Plein Soleil in Le François (pictured), with six days of mouthwatering food and wine events that will please even the pickiest of palates. The package is available from August 26-31 and includes...

• Daily breakfast at Hôtel Plein Soleil
• Four dinners and one lunch
  
• A private tour and tasting at the 18th century Habitation Clément rum distillery - one of the Caribbean's most impeccably maintained distilleries (and I've seen quite a few in my travels) - as well as at the Neisson Distillery
• A culinary demonstration with Plein Soleil's wunderkind executive chef, Nathanael Ducteil - the former apprentice to celebrity chef, Alain Ducasse, and a regional celebrity in his own right at just 25 years old
• An excursion to the Marché Couvert for some local produce and rum shopping
• A full-day catamaran excursion to Josephine's Bath, the legendary sandbar believed to have been visited often by Napoleon's wife, the Empress Josephine

While you're in Martinique, you'll also have the chance to sample scrumptious French, Creole, Caribbean and fusion cuisine around the island, from Fort de France to Trois-Îlets across the bay. I've actually been wining and dining my way around Martinique all this week, and I'll tell you plainly...this is some good food. The package starts at $1,700 per person and also includes airport transfers. To book, just log on to the Tour de Forks web site, call 888-345-3005 or email melissa@tourdeforks.com.

Bon Appétit!

Culinary Escapade on Martinique