The Jardin de Balata is a private botanical garden located on the Route de Balata about 10 km outside of Fort-de-France, Martinique, France. One of Martinique’s best attractions is open daily. It is home to a staggering number of begonias, bromeliads, bamboo and about 300 different types of palm trees. Free-flying hummingbirds are often sighted. A suspended rope bridge and walkways provide a birds-eye view of the landscaped grounds below.

credit: Craig Stanfill

Martinique is island and overseas département and région of France, in the eastern Caribbean Sea. It is a leading destination for European vacationers, it offers gorgeous beaches, great food and a variety of accommodations. The island is crowned by the still-smoldering Mont Pelée, which wiped out Martinique’s former capital of St-Pierre in 1902. There’s plenty of hiking and nature-watching on the slopes of the volcano. The hurricane season in Martinique normally runs from June to November.

credit: Luc Viatour