LR Travel Report
St. Lucia for All Seasons
credit: www.stlucianow.com
Sweet Retreats & Fabulous Festivals
L
ovely St. Lucia is an eastern Caribbean island but resembles more of a South Pacific escape due to its famous landmark twin peak Piton mountains, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Green and lush, the hills are carpeted with rain forests spilling onto beautiful beaches that crest warm, clear aqua waters. Popular pastimes in this paradise including sailing, snorkeling, diving, and ecoexploring via zip-lining the rain forests and hiking through nature to stunning waterfalls and pristine retreats. St. Lucia also boasts the world’s only drive-through volcano, and the sulphur springs there are where you can partake of the mineral rich mud for natural skin treatments. There are many romantic and ritzy resorts carved into the mountainsides, including Viceroy’s Sugar Beach – a former sugar plantation with an extraordinary indoor/ outdoor rainforest spa. Matt Damon recently rented the entire complex out for his wedding vow renewal ceremony. Cap Maison is another cliffside choice, an exclusive luxury boutique hotel overlooking the sea, and for
seaside pleasure, the adult-only, couples-only Rendezvous delivers in high style. And families will find that Bay Gardens seaside resort has a lot to offer. Incidentally, the water sports activities operator there is an ex-Montrealer. As for special events, there is something going on in every season. In summer, their colourful annual Carnival takes to the streets, and in winter, the focus is on the Festival of Lights and Renewal. Fall is also a time for renewal; their annual Renew You program holiday package attracts experts in the health and wellness fields from the world over to help visitors recharge. But the most famous festival on this island takes place in the spring. Going into its 23rd year, the annual St. Lucia Jazz and Arts Festival has grown to be an internationally acclaimed event, attracting top artists from all over the globe. I had the pleasure to witness The Jacksons and Akon perform live there last year. And any time of year, not to be missed is the massive indoor/outdoor food and craft market in the main town of Castries. It’s the largest in the Caribbean. Visit: www.stlucianow.com. SUSAN CAMPBELL
58 LuxuryReportMagazine.com