Take a small slice of paradise, infuse with French style, a dash of spice and splash of je ne sais quoi and you've got euro-tropic Cayenne, the capital of French Guiana.
The hub of the city is the Place de Palmistes, dotted with cafes and food stalls all emitting mouth-watering aromas. Nearby is the incongruously named Village Chinoise, with its very own 'Chicago', a strip comprising a string of tiny clubs blaring out a fabulous mix of music.
This South American chunk of France overflows with such a varied abundance of wildlife that it's little surprise eco-tourism is gaining momentum. For the more adventurous traveller, the lush and dense rainforest interior of the Amazon beckons.
Oddly enough, French Guiana also plays host to Europe's major space centre in Kourou.
Just north of Kourou lie the infamous Īles du Salut, a former penal colony spread over three coconut-clad islands. The most brutal, Devil's Island, once counted Papillion as a reluctant guest. The jungle has now reclaimed the jails, and the residents are far more exotic, including colourful macaws and sea turtles.
Slightly off the beaten track, as much for them as for you, is the Hmong village of Cacao, a Laotian community of weavers and embroiderers - as surreal in its own way as a space centre in the jungle.
Wander through the intriguing Sunday market before feasting on a steaming bowl of tasty noodle soup.
For a wilder view of the country head for Kaw where you'll find a rainforest filled with monkeys, caiman and tapirs wandering about the occasional outcrop of ancient rock art.
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