Inspiration for your own tailor-made trip
A Family Adventure in Guadeloupe Creole Culture & Island Charms
Le Moule - Vieux-Habitants
Known affectionately as the ‘Butterfly Island’, Guadeloupe is made up of two wing-shaped islands, separated by a small river. The adventure begins on the butterfly’s right wing: the island of Grand-Terre. There’s a lively beach atmosphere here and it’s the perfect spot for three days of cultural immersion and coastal fun in and around Le Moule. Swim in warm aquamarine waters, feast on barbecued seafood and delve into local history with visits to markets and museums.
The second chapter of this Guadeloupe getaway takes place on the butterfly’s left wing: Basse-Terre and the coastal town of Vieux-Habitants. Life here is slow paced and centred around the island’s mountainous geography, where cocoa plantations invite you to make your own chocolate. For your final few days, we’ve also arranged snorkelling in a marvellous marine reserve and a trip to the Les Saintes archipelago, where you can rip around the main island on an electric cart. Let the adventure begin…
Itinerary
100% customisable for you
Get ready for a week of family fun in the Caribbean as you make your way to the airport. Whizz through check-in and security and ignite the holiday feeling with some foodie treats as you await departure. The flight time to Guadeloupe is around 11 hours, including a brief layover in France, so make sure the iPads are well-charged. On arrival, a member of airport staff will be waiting for you in Pointe-a-Pitre to assist with the formalities and take you to collect your hire car. Enjoy your first glimpses of the lush tropical landscapes of Grand-Terre as you drive 30 minutes to Le Moule, a colourful seaside town nestled on the Atlantic coast of Grande-Terre. Your home for the next four nights here is a charming little villa overlooking the island of Desirade and the surf spot of Anse Salabouelle. Spend the rest of today relaxing and settling into your new environment, perhaps with a gentle stroll down to the beach or along the splendid coastal path leading to the Porte d'Enfer du Moule.
Rise and shine in your villa to tweeting birds and dappled sunshine. Spend your time lazing on one of the idyllic surrounding beaches, splashing around in warm turquoise waters and feasting on a breakfast of tropical fruits. When adventure calls, head into the beautiful centre of Le Moule to acquaint yourself with the vibrant history, culture and way of life on the island. Founded in the 17th century on an ancient Amerindian site, the city later became the most important port on the island. Delve into local history at the Edgar Clerc Amerindian Archaeology Museum, admire the colonial architecture of the Zevallos estate, discover the Damoiseau rum distillery and visit the Gardel sugar refinery. There is also the lively Saint-Francois market, which you can explore at your own pace or in the company of one of our knowledgeable local guides.
Today is all about savouring the laid-back lifestyle that’s synonymous with a tiny Caribbean island. Read a book by the pool or under the shade of a coconut tree; tuck into local seafood while watching surfers rip up the waves; take a road trip along the Atlantic coast and stop for a picnic in a scenic spot; or head to Bois Jolan beach and swim in its peaceful, shallow waters. In short: take a full day to kick back, relax and enjoy life in paradise.
Wave goodbye to the Creole town of Le Moule as you journey an hour and a half across Guadeloupe to Vieux-Habitants on the scenic Basse-Terre coast. Make a stop along the way for a spot of snorkelling in the marvellous Cousteau Reserve, accompanied by a guide who can show you the best sites. Slip into your wetsuit, flippers and mask and explore the abundant corals and topical fish of this protected marine environment. Your guide will be on hand to point out special species; sea turtles are the star of the show and can often be spotted moving gracefully just beneath the ocean’s surface.
Continue onto your next destination this afternoon: a spacious villa surrounded by fruit trees and palms in the heights of Vieux-Habitants. You have three nights here, so we recommend taking the rest of today to simply rest and relax in your new villa.
Head up into the verdant valley of Grande Riviere des Vieux-Habitants to discover a historic coffee plantation that exudes an atmosphere of yesteryear. The crops are bordered by tropical forest and mangroves of the Guadeloupe National Park, known for its exceptional wildlife including exotic birds, mongoose and endemic bats. There is also the Gwakako cocoa plantation, an age-old institution where you can make your own chocolate bar. Take part in each stage of the process which transforms cocoa bean to chocolate, from roasting and grinding to conching (heated mixing), before leaving with your very own gourmet souvenir. And finally, don’t miss a visit to the Saint-Joseph church – the oldest in Guadeloupe.
Enjoy a final day of family fun as you explore Les Saintes in an electric golf buggy. Made up of nine islands and islets, the Les Saintes archipelago showcases local island life in all its splendour. You can reach Terre-de-Haut, one of only two inhabited islands, via a short 20-minute boat crossing from Trois-Rivieres. From here, set out in your golf buggy to discover narrow streets, colourful wooden huts, fishing boats and wild beaches. Some of our favourite spots on the island include Fort Napoleon, which overlooks the Bay of Saintes and houses a museum dedicated to local history; the Creole village of Terre-de-Haut and its colourful fishermen's houses which are typical of the French Antilles; and palm-fringed Pompierre Beach, where you can laze around idly in the company of iguanas and, occasionally, goats
That’s a wrap on your family adventure in Guadeloupe. After one last delicious breakfast in Vieux-Habitants this morning, drive an hour to the airport, drop off your hire car and whizz back through airport formalities. Relax in the airport lounge with some refreshments before boarding. The flight time back to the UK is around 12 hours, including a layover in Paris, so you’ll spend tonight on board and touch down back on home turf tomorrow.
Suggestions
Everything in this itinerary is entirely customisable, down to the smallest details. Here are some more suggestions of what could be included
PRIVATE TOUR OF SAINT-FRANCOIS MARKET
Discover the magical mayhem of Saint-Francois market, a local institution overflowing with fruits, vegetables, spices and medicinal plants. Your private guide will lead the way, pointing out staple produce alongside more peculiar products. Mingle with the locals, soak up the atmosphere and leave with some unusual souvenirs.
Why visit Guadeloupe with Original Travel ?
Each of our trips is entirely tailor-made with originality, quality and cultural immersion in mind. Our team of destination specialists will craft itineraries based on your tastes, using their first-hand knowledge and the help of our in-country team of Concierges and guides. All trips are accompanied by a wide range of additional services, including a 24-hour helpline, the Original Travel app, fast-track airport services and much more.
Enquire nowA few of the benefits of travelling with us to Guadeloupe
- The Original Travel app
- Destination Dossier
- 24-hour helpline
- Expert guides
- 100% carbon absorption
