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Have you seen pictures of a Mardi Gras celebration and wished you were there? Have you yearned to be in a tropical paradise as you made you way through a cold, dreary February morning? Did you promise yourself that someday you would do something about it? Well, here's your chance to make your dream a reality. Join us in February, as we leave the northern winter behind and travel to the French Caribbean island of Martinique, one of the most beautiful spots on earth.

Martinique is part of France and, as such, combines the elegant charm and sophistication of Gallic culture with the warmth of the Caribbean lifestyle. In other words, you can enjoy "all things French" and not have to cross the Atlantic to find French style, gastronomy, and goods. Add to this the richness of the Creole culture, cuisine and language and you have a Caribbean vacation par excellence. Martinique in February provides us with breathtaking vistas, lush and flowering vegetation, unlimited shore and water activities, and exotic Mardi Gras celebrations. In addition, the port city of Fort-de-France, Martinique's capital, offers plenty of shopping and fascinating colonial history.

The centerpiece of our trip, of course, is Mardi Gras (also called Carnival). It is the party of a lifetime. Mardi Gras connoisseurs from many lands have praised the uniqueness of the Martinique event. During Carnival, all of Martinique virtually grinds to a halt. Parades, called vides, occur throughout the island, such as the Grand Vide (Large Parade) and the colorful Vide Tout Koule (Parade of All Colors). They are typically spectacular affairs with lively biguine-styles music and extravagant costumes. More than 40 marching bands called Groups a Pied parade in Fort-de-France. Some groups consist of up to a hundred percussionists, brass players and dancers. There are costume parades with music and dancing, and the streets spill over with rum-fueled revelers. All bystanders are encouraged to participate in the singing and dancing. Those who prefer may watch the activities from bleachers set up in the streets. Our arrival coincides with the kickoff of the lively celebrations which continue through Wednesday of the following week. During the Carnival season the large hotels offer special theme dinners and Martinican dance and music performances throughout the week.

But our ten-day exploration encompasses much more than Mardi Gras. It will include a kind of historical and cultural immersion with informal talks on Caribbean music, history, literature and some lessons in conversational Creole, a language derived from African, French and Spanish influences. Our program allows ample time for you to explore the 30 trails on foot or bike, to rent a car and drive around the island, to participate in the many outdoor sports or to simply spend lazy afternoons on spectacular beaches caressed by warm breezes. As you sip cold tropical drinks (Ti-Punch, Planter's Punch, Shrubb) made from the best rum in the world, you'll be thinking of your envious friends back home.

Martinique is a cultural marvel and a tropical paradise. We hope you'll join us for fun in the sun as we endulge in a bit of the sweet life.

"La vi a douce, la vi a bel, et la vi a ka mache."
(Translation:  "Life is sweet, life is beautiful, life is going just fine.")