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"Visual surprise is natural in the Caribbean; it comes with
the landscape, and faced with its beauty, the sigh of
History dissolves."
- Derek Walcott - Nobel Laureate & St. Lucia native.
Christopher Columbus spotted this lush, tropical paradise in
1502 and the world has been grateful ever since. Unspoiled,
exotic, and sensual, St. Lucia
is well described by its motto: Simply Beautiful.
With residents famous for their friendliness (doesn't Miss
St. Lucia 2007 look friendly?) the island is more relaxed
and informal than most of the Caribbean. Rainforests,
waterfalls, spectacular mountains, idyllic beaches, and of
course, world-class resorts...St. Lucia, simply, is one of
the most romantic destinations in the world. So what are you
waiting for?
WHO
Martha Stewart, Harrison Ford, Tyra Banks, Nicholas Cage,
and Morgan Freeman have all made recent visits. Oprah calls
St. Lucia one of her favorite destinations in the world.
Native son Derek Walcott waxed poetic so fervently for his
island that he won the Nobel Prize.
FUN
Once you arrive, you'll probably never want to leave your
resort, and who could blame you? But on such a beautiful and
diverse island, you must explore a bit. Start with the
BEACH:
Anse des Pitons, one of our favorite beaches
anywhere, lies in the midst of the island's most magnificent
and unique attraction,
the Pitons.
These twin volcanic peaks rise more than half a mile high
out of the sea and have become the symbol for the island.
Lovely, serene Anse Chastanet is just a few minutes
down the road and offers the best snorkeling on the island.
Great beaches on the Northern area of the island include
Ti Kaye, La Brelotte Bay, Reduit, and its
more remote neighbor, Cas en Bas.
Had enough sun? Not to worry, a natural wonderland awaits
you. HIKE.
Diamond Botanical
Gardens offers a lovely, easy stroll through lush
foliage to a 55 foot waterfall.
Gros Piton Nature Trail is a spectacular and challenging
trek up the smaller of the Pitons, and will take at least
half a day. (A guide will accompany you for a small fee.)
Our other favorite hikes,
Saltibus Waterfall Trail and
Enbas Saut Falls Trail, lead through rainforest and
cascading waterfalls to magnificent views.
If you're feeling adventurous, you've come to the right
place.
Bike St. Lucia
will take you mountain biking through lovely jungle trails.
The diving in St. Lucia is some of the best in the
Caribbean: go with
Scuba St. Lucia
at Anse
Chastanet or
Island Divers at the Ti
Kaye resort. Always wondered what it's like inside a
volcano?
Sulphur Springs, "the world's only drive-in volcano,"
allows visitors to practically enter an open crater and
bathe in its hot, muddy pools. Save some energy for Friday
night: every week Gros Islet's streets overflow with the
Jump Up--part rave, part street fair, and part
cookout--with Reggae and steel drum bands literally rocking
the entire island. Anse La Raye's
Fish
Fry, also every Friday, is a bit more mellow as half the
island congregates in the village square for local rum
punch, jerk chicken, lobster and fried flying fish. The
St Lucia Jazz
festival, held for two weeks every May, has become a world
class event, showcasing great artists throughout the island.
SCOOP
Currency is the East Caribbean Dollar (EC$) but you can pay
everywhere in US$. Electricity is on a 220V standard, so if
you're not from the UK bring a
converter. St. Lucia is a small island (27x14 miles) but
getting around the steep, curvy mountain roads can take a
while. If you have the itch to wander, a car is a must--get
a 4-wheel drive if you're adventurous but the main island
roads are excellent. Ben and his team at
Ben's West Coast
Jeep and Taxi have the best values on the island, and if
you need a lift their nice staff can shuttle you anywhere.
LIVE
ULTRA: Jade
Mountain Not just a suite, a "sanctuary" of peace and
luxury. Open to the sea and air, you have never seen
anything like it. A dream resort.
Discovery
Every amenity, as comfortable as your home. With one of the
best spas on the island. On beautiful Marigot Bay Marina.
LUXE:
Anse
Chastanet Sister to Jade Mountain, like the island's
motto, simply beautiful.
Jalousie Charming, seductive family resort, nestled in
an ideal location at the foot of the Pitons.
East Winds Inn
Gorgeous, unassuming resort on quiet La Brelotte Bay.
MODERATE:
Stonefield Villas
20 private villas, overlooking the Pitons. Peaceful and
lovely.
Ti Kaye Guests
stay in beautiful private cottages, each with views. One of
the best values on the island.
Royal by Rex A family resort, every amenity and luxury
on beautiful Reduit beach.
BUDGET:
Mago Estate Hotel In
the Hills facing the Pitons, a romantic resort that embraces
nature and luxury in equal measure. With a wonderful staff.
Villa Caribbean Dream Gorgeous views. A few minutes from
the white sands of lovely Anse de Sable beach.
Bay Gardens Inn
Romantic and cosy, the best value on Rodney Bay.
DINE
Rainforest Hideaway Perhaps the best meal on the island.
Marigot Bay.
Dasheene
Great cuisine with fantastic view overlooking the Pitons.
Anse
Chastanet. Dine in the mountains or on the sea. A
favorite.
Boudreau. Lovely spot. Their treehouse is
ultra-romantic.
Coal Pot
Waterfront views. French cuisine. Beloved by tourists and
locals alike.
The
Edge Hip décor featuring "Eurobbean Fusion" on Rodney
Bay.
DRINK
Except on Fridays or during St. Lucia Jazz, most of the island is quiet at
night. The best nightlife is in Rodney Bay Village, where
the bars, restaurants and clubs stand shoulder to shoulder
along the road and the action often spills out onto the
street.
GO
Nonstops to St. Lucia are available on American (NY, Miami) US Airways
(Charlotte) and Delta (Atlanta).
HOW
Escape to bliss in St. Lucia at the lowest possible prices.
Contact us and we'll show you how. |
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© 2008 Blisscape · PO Box 18842 · Beverly Hills, CA · 90209
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