The small, beautiful island of St Maarten (St Martin) offers an enchanting Caribbean holiday destination blessed with pretty beaches and tropical scenery. Characterised by both French influences in the northern part of the island and Dutch influence in the south, a St Maarten holiday is something of cultural fusion. Visit the towns of Philipsburg on the Dutch side and Marigot on the French side to experience this diversity. Hiking opportunities abound – but you may be just as happy to unwind on the blissful beaches and soak up the Caribbean sun.  Landings at St Maarten’s Juliana airport have also drawn nearly 3 million searches on You Tube to date thanks largely to the proximity of the runway to one particular small beach and road, which is unconnected to a hotel.