SAINT LUCIA

INTRO TEXT WITH ITS ROMANTIC MOUNTAIN SCENERY AND MAGICAL RESORTS, IT’S LITTLE WONDER THAT THIS PICTURESQUE ISLAND IS SUCH A FAVOURITE AMONGST OUR CLIENTS, AND IS RIGHTLY FETED AS THE REGION’S MOST ROMANTIC ISLAND.

ANSE CHASTANET, SAINT LUCIA

Impossibly picturesque, her jagged, jungle-clad peaks rising from the sea like dragon’s teeth, stunning Saint Lucia is rightly feted as the Caribbean’s most romantic island. Accommodation ranges from rustic rainforest retreats and boutique beach hotels to some of the most staggeringly luxurious resorts in the entire region. It’s no surprise that Saint Lucia is a favourite for couples on their honeymoon, but a host of high-octane pursuits and watersports also make it a great destination for the more adventurous traveller, as well as for active families looking for more than just a beach holiday.

Culturally, Saint Lucia is an intoxicating mélange of English, French and

African influences, tangible in everything from the exotic markets in the capital, Castries, to the lilting rhythms of Kweyol, the French creole spoken by the locals. Reminders of Saint Lucia’s colonial past can be found in the fortifications at Pigeon Island, while the ‘drive-in’ volcano at Soufrière in the south offers up clues to a more ancient history, when Saint Lucia’s otherworldly landscape, dominated by the towering Piton mountains, was hewn from molten rock. The volcanic nature of the island also means that some of the beaches in the south of Saint Lucia are darker in colour than the classic Caribbean picture postcard, so make sure you let us know if you want to stay somewhere with guaranteed white sand. Eating and drinking here is a real treat, whether you’re sampling haute cuisine at the hotel restaurants, tucking into tasty street food or enjoying a rum and coke at a local bar. Saint Lucians love to party too – and have a great range of events, including the popular Jazz festival, or for the real deal, head down to Gros Islet on a Friday night and dance with the locals and the yachties to the thundering sound systems set up on the street corners. A word of warning, go easy on the rum punches - they’re strong!

WHAT TO DO

TAKE A SCENIC SAILING TOUR You’ll take in all the sights, from the majestic Pitons and the dense vegetation of the rainforest, to the picturesque beaches and sleepy fishing villages dotted along the Caribbean coastline. Finish the day with a leisurely cruise to a protected area for swimming and snorkelling. PARTY WITH THE LOCALS The Friday night ‘Jump Up’ at the fishing village of Gros Islet is something of an institution. The weekly street party is popular with tourists and locals and is a great place to mix and mingle. Stalls sell barbecued chicken and freshly-caught fish, all washed down with an ice-cold Piton beer or a rum punch whilst listening to Caribbean vibes. VISIT FORT RODNEY A hike to the top of historic Fort Rodney on Pigeon Island is well worth the trip. The fort was Admiral Rodney’s base during the 18th Century when the French and the British fought over the island. These days it’s the sensational views from Signal Hill that attract visitors to the site. The pretty cove of Pigeon Island Beach is ideal for cooling off later. ISLAND HOPPING Experience even more of the Caribbean by extending your Saint Lucia holiday with a trip to the beautiful spice island of Grenada. Our Luxury Sales Managers can recommend hotels there such as Calabash Luxury Boutique Hotel (p67) or Spice Island Beach Resort (p66), just an hour’s flight away.

SNORKEL THE SOUTH WEST Head for the coral reefs in the south west of the island. We love Anse Cochon, a quiet little bay flanked by reefs teeming with colourful fish. Similarly impressive and with a truly spectacular setting is Anse des Pitons Beach, sitting right in the middle of the Pitons. If you want to make a day of it, we’d recommend lunch at Anse Chastanet (p42) followed by an afternoon snorkelling the protected reef just off shore.

GETTING THERE

Flying time from the UK is approximately 9 hours non-stop. British Airways Daily non-stop departures from London Gatwick. Virgin Atlantic Non-stop departures from London Heathrow for the winter season only.

Note: All our inclusive holiday prices are based on British Airways World Traveller to Hewanorra International Airport. Helicopter transfers can be arranged on request.

1. BodyHoliday (p38) 2. Cap Maison (p44) 3. The Landings Resort and Spa (p45) 4. Windjammer Landing Villa Beach Resort (p41) 5. East Winds (p40) 6. StolenTime By Rendezvous (p46) 7. Zoëtry Marigot Bay Resort, Spa & Marina (p47) 8. Anse Chastanet (p42)

Jade Mountain (p43) 9. Sugar Beach, A Viceroy Resort (p39) 10. Serenity at Coconut Bay (p47)

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GFL Charles

CASTRIES

SAINT LUCIA

SOUFRIÈRE

HEWANORRA

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