By Alexander Britell

There’s a great new way to reach one of the Caribbean’s most fascinating destinations.

European low-cost carrier Norwegian is set to launch its newest route on Oct. 30, with flights between Fort Lauderdale and Fort-de-France, Martinique.

The best part? The flights start as low as $59 one way.

Martinique

Norwegian is also resuming its Martinique flights from US hubs including New York and Providence at the end of October.

Norwegian is operating the flights four times per week on Sundays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays, creating a new gateway to one of the region’s increasingly popular destinations.

So what to do in Martinique?

This isn’t your typical Caribbean – it’s a remarkable mix of raw natural beauty and cosmopolitan sophistication, from lush rainforests to a thriving local art scene to a collection of 11 rum distilleries that makes it the Bordeaux of rum.

Rhum JM’s distillery in Macouba, Martinique

Of course, if you’re looking for a classic beach vacation, you can find that, too, with a wide assortment of beaches from volcanic stretches to traditional white sand.

As for hotels, the emphasis is decidedly on boutique, from small luxury properties like French Coco, Plein Soleil and Cap Est to La Pagerie, the hotel set in the resort town of Trois Ilets.

French Coco.

And then there’s the food, some of the most spectacular cuisine you’ll find in the Caribbean, with a fusion of French and Caribbean that is endlessly creative. (Make sure you try the eateries by local celebrity chefs Marcel Ravin and Jean-Charles Bredas, along with Le Petibonum, the region’s premier gourmet beach restaurant.

Saint Pierre.

And make sure you don’t miss the town of Saint Pierre, once the “Paris of the Caribbean” but destroyed in a massive volcanic eruption in 1902. Today, it’s the Caribbean Pompeii, a charming historic village.