| St Lucia would be just at home in the South Pacific, | | | | airport (George Charles) to the north of the island |
| but it resides in the southeastern Caribbean Sea, and | | | | serves most of the smaller Caribbean air carriers. Of |
| is part of the Windward Islands. | | | | course the majority of the best known hotels are |
| Just north of Barbados, Trinidad and Tobago lies a | | | | located on the north of the island. |
| tropical paradise equal to the Pacific islands of Tahiti | | | | Flying into Hewanorra airport on the southern end, |
| and Fiji. The calm waters of the Caribbean Sea which | | | | and booking a hotel or resort on the northern end |
| is usually compared to the color turquoise, appears to | | | | can result in a long 2 hour trip. Rather than look at |
| be royal blue around the island of St Lucia. No doubt | | | | the travel time to the hotel with dread, consider it a |
| this is due to the fact this is a volcanic island unlike | | | | prime opportunity for an enjoyable island tour. The |
| the coral islands of the Caribbean basin. | | | | mountain route offers a more scenic view of the |
| Old ship records speak of how captains and sailors | | | | magnificent Pitons. The eastern route is faster, and |
| alike were awed by the sighting of St Lucia. Perhaps | | | | you wind through hundreds of banana groves, and |
| this is why the island was fought over and changed | | | | beautiful scenery. Take your pick, but I recommend |
| hands 14 times in its history. Two countries, England | | | | the longer western route. |
| and France fought 14 battles back and forth to gain | | | | St Lucia is home to some of the most unique |
| control of the island. The English eventually won the | | | | resorts, charming inns, guesthouses and romantic |
| war, but France won the battle since the island is | | | | hideaways in the Caribbean. Two of the most unique |
| definitely French in culture. | | | | are Ladera and Anse Chastanet. |
| The most photographed scene in the Caribbean and | | | | Ladera offers an open wall concept with your own |
| landmark of St Lucia are Petit Piton and Gros Piton. | | | | private pool. The western side of each unit is open |
| These two enormous volcanic mountains are covered | | | | to the view of the Pitons. It's like staying in a luxury |
| with lush green vegetation and rise over 2,600 feet | | | | tree house, and as they said "the only thing |
| above the sea, and 1,000 feet below. Soufriere, | | | | separating you from nature is the netting on your |
| located at the base, is where the jungle meets the | | | | bed". |
| royal blue sea. The majestic twin Pitons greet you at | | | | Anse Chastanet is a luxury mountaintop retreat |
| every turn while on the island - such an awesome | | | | where every room offers something different - no |
| sight! | | | | two are alike. Most rooms are scattered in the lush |
| As a comparison among its Caribbean neighbors, the | | | | hillside, and a few more expensive rooms are located |
| only two that come close to St Lucia's beauty is | | | | on the beach. Be forewarned there are nearly 100 |
| Dominica (the nature island), and the interior of the | | | | steps to the beach from the hillside. |
| island of Jamaica. St Lucia boasts a variety of exotic | | | | Jalousie Plantation is located beneath the Pitons, and |
| black sand beaches, tropical birds, plants and flowers. | | | | offers a very romantic, private location that is hard |
| Everywhere you turn, and on each island adventure | | | | to match anywhere in the Caribbean. Another choice |
| there is just more beauty to be seen. I attempted to | | | | is the Windjammer Landing with your own secluded |
| capture the island on picture, but the color intensity | | | | villa in a Mediterranean styled village setting. |
| and depth was lacking more than often. While family | | | | The smaller hotels of Rodney Bay which are |
| and friends remarked at how beautiful our vacation | | | | Caribbean Jewell, Coco Kreole, and Coco Palm offer a |
| pictures were, I knew the true essence of the island | | | | location that is within walking distance to shopping, |
| needs to be seen in person. | | | | restaurants and nightlife. Reduit beach is one of the |
| This is an island to be explored with nature walks, | | | | prime attractions of Rodney Bay, which is also home |
| mountain hikes, visits to the natural reserves, boat | | | | to the European yachting community. Each of these |
| trips to nearby island sanctuaries, drive through the | | | | smaller hotels has a unique charm, excellent service |
| world's only "drive through volcano, and a trip to the | | | | and moderate prices. |
| interior rainforest is a must! About the drive through | | | | There are approximately eight all inclusive on this |
| volcano - you literally drive through the crater to | | | | small island. Many Caribbean islands offer all inclusive |
| over 15 pools of thick black bubbling lava. The smell is | | | | properties where visitors are isolated and spend most |
| a bit overwhelming. In this region you will also find | | | | of their time. St Lucia all inclusive celebrate the islands |
| green and yellow sulfur steam coming up out of the | | | | beauty and attractions, and make every effort to |
| ground, and pools of hissing steam - You can | | | | promote the islands beauty and culture. The most |
| definitely feel the heat from the ground, and guides | | | | popular all inclusive are Sandals - which offers three |
| lead you around the hot stones. | | | | different resorts, the Body Holiday Spa Resort, and |
| Another interesting site outside of Soufriere is | | | | Rendezvous - a popular, romantic couples only resort. |
| Diamond Waterfall and the Mineral Baths. Louis XVI | | | | The beaches of St Lucia offer as much variety as |
| sent a sample of the mineral water to France back in | | | | the lush vegetation. There are black sand beaches |
| the late 1700's to be tested, and it was deemed | | | | where the sand is courser, soft white sand beaches, |
| beneficial. We had a lovely time at the Mineral Baths, | | | | beaches of beige-grey and brown. One thing to |
| and admit I felt quite invigorated afterwards. | | | | remember - black sand heats up much faster than |
| Diamond Waterfall is near the baths, and this rivals | | | | white sand, and your feet can get burned and |
| many of the waterfalls on the island of Jamaica - | | | | blistered. |
| simply beautiful! | | | | While the island is French in culture, English is widely |
| The lush mountainous region is home to the rain | | | | spoken in the business and tourist areas. Elsewhere |
| forest which offers lush and colorful foliage. As you | | | | you will hear Creole, along with a French patois. The |
| venture into the northern part of the island, | | | | Creole spoken on the island is derived from the |
| mountains turn into lush hills, and orchards of banana, | | | | original slaves mixing their African language, along with |
| coconut, mango, citrus and papaya trees. | | | | French words. There is even a national holiday where |
| Aside from land tours, a half day or one-day sail | | | | every St Lucian is encouraged to speak Creole, and |
| around the island is recommended. From a small | | | | prepare Creole food dishes. |
| peninsula that extends from the southern tip of the | | | | If you're used to the typical steel drums and calypso |
| island you can view where the rough Atlantic Ocean | | | | of the Caribbean, you will find the French Caribbean |
| meets the calm Caribbean Sea. On a clear day you | | | | has a taste for Zouk, African drumming, and also |
| can even spot the tiny island of St Vincent. Another | | | | Soca. The French Caribbean is not as reserved as the |
| location advantage is you easily island hop to the | | | | islands with a British influence, and the English lyrics |
| islands of Martinique, Dominica and Guadeloupe. | | | | are quite explicit about current social norms - in other |
| The Eastern or Windward side of the island is on the | | | | words you may be a little shocked at what you hear. |
| Atlantic coast, and has big waves and surf, and | | | | Zouk is a Creole word for "party", and is upbeat |
| swimming is not recommended, but the ocean views | | | | tempo with layered percussions and loud brass. You'll |
| will be remembered far after your vacation is over. | | | | hear Zouk mostly in the French Caribbean islands of |
| The Western, or Leeward island side, is located on | | | | St Lucia, Martinique and Guadeloupe. The beat is |
| the Caribbean Sea, and the waves and waters are | | | | infectious, and you can't help but dance or at least |
| quite calm, and most of the beachfront resorts on | | | | tap your feet. |
| located on this side of the island. | | | | Soca is a combination of calypso with a more |
| No matter which side of the island you choose, you | | | | up-tempo beat, and interestingly enough has its |
| will find the constant cooling trade wind breezes | | | | origins in a combination of calypso mixed with Indian |
| coming off the coast of Africa. | | | | rhythms from Trinidad and Tobago. |
| Getting to St Lucia can be challenging time wise | | | | Not your typical Caribbean island! If I had to sum up |
| depending on where you are starting from. Expect a | | | | what's special about St Lucia, I would conclude the |
| minimum 5-6 hour trip from North America. One | | | | following - An exotic island paradise with unique |
| important aspect in booking your vacation is the | | | | resorts and romantic hideaways, great beaches, |
| proximity of the hotel to the airport. St Lucia has | | | | hiking, sailing and deep sea fishing. Also the island's |
| two airports, and the major airport (Hewanorra) on | | | | steep coastlines and excellent reef system offers |
| the southern tip of the island is where most of the | | | | world class snorkeling and scuba diving. |
| air traffic from North America is directed. The smaller | | | | |