From the air, the two largest isles of the French Caribbean archipelago of Guadeloupe resemble a verdant emerald green butterfly floating above an aquamarine sea. Located in the French Caribbean (aka the French West Indies), the Guadeloupe Islands are one of the overseas departments of France.
A favorite of Francophiles, the French archipelago attracts adventure travelers and eco-tourists, as well as avid sailors. Gourmands know Guadeloupe for the cuisine of Babette de Rozières, the acclaimed French chef and television host whose restaurants and cookbooks have helped promote Creole cuisine around the world.
Babette de Rozières, the acclaimed French chef and television host ©MRNY
Previously, U.S. visitors to the islands flew from Miami, the only U.S. city with service to Guadeloupe. Commencing in December 2015, Norwegian will launch flights to the Guadeloupe Islands from Boston, Baltimore/Washington, D.C., and New York City, with an introductory fare starting at $79 one way from all three US airports. The new seasonal service commences on December 3, 2015, with three flights per week from JFK to the Guadeloupe Islands’ Point-à-Pitre International Airport.
Home to an active volcano called La Soufrière, the isle of Basse-Terre includes more than 40,000 acres of rainforest, as well as a triple waterfall cascading from a height of nearly 400 feet. Located alongside Grande Terre, La Désirade is considered the oldest island in the Caribbean and the largest geological nature reserve in the French overseas territories.
One of the world’s top diving areas can be found at the Jacques Cousteau Underwater Preserve, which features a submerged statue of the diving legend that divers rub for good luck.
© Guadeloupe Islands Tourist Board
Notable for its white beaches and windmills, the isle of Marie-Galante honors its sugarcane heritage with nearly 100 windmills, vestiges from the archipelago’s primary role in the lucrative 18th-century sugar trade.
The five primary islands celebrate Carnival from January through March with parades and dance marathons. Throughout the Guadeloupe Islands, the primary language is French and, as a part of the European Union, its currency is the euro.
One of the most modern and eco-friendly fleets, Norwegian will fly its new Boeing 737-800s to the Guadeloupe Islands. Leather seats and free Wi-Fi are but two of the amenities that have earned Norwegian the title of “Europe’s Best Low-Cost Airline” for three consecutive years by Skytrax.
