Yesterday I had the pleasure of meeting with a small group of travel professionals to learn about what is new on St. Lucia, an island that lies in the southern part of that long chain of islands we all know and love as the Caribbean Islands. While fresh in my mind, allow me to share some of Ingrid Stewart's knowledge. She is the Midwest Regional Marketing Manager for St. Lucia..."Simply Beautiful".
I will share here just a few of the many reasons to consider St. Lucia for your next vacation. It truly is a 'sensual" destination. Read on for more.
Adventure
This place is made for adrenalin seekers! Horseback riding, Segway tours, climbing, and even driving into a volcano are all waiting for you. By sea, there's world class diving, snorkeling, windsurfing, fishing and yachting. These are some of the clearest waters in the world! Surfers love the coast off Vieux Fort, and the slope of the Pitons creates perfect conditions for drift scuba diving. By land, you can hike the Eastern Nature Trail and catch a glimpse of the Saint Lucia Parrot. Rent a mountain bike an go off-roading in Anse Mamin through rainforest and beside a stunning beach. If you hike in some of the UNESCO heritage sites, including Morne Fortune and Pigeon Island National Landmark, you can refresh yourself under one of the many waterfalls. Ahhhh. Nice.
Or take to the air! Zip lines fly through the jungled landscape. Kitesurfers love the wind conditions off the southern coast, and hikers can climb the summit of Gros Piton to more than 2600 feet. A helicopter tour can be done as a way to move from the airport to your resort area, and is a fabulous way to both see this amazing island as the birds fly and reduce your transfer time to the northern resort areas.
While there are quite a few all-inclusive resorts in St. Lucia, you might wish to consider splitting your time between an all-inclusive resort and a property in an area such as Rodney Bay where there are many wonderful restaurants, bars and locals to mingle with. Begin with a stay down near the Pitons for incredible views and private cove beaches.The spas beckon you, the nature is romantic and lush. But the pulse of the island is in the local festivals. St. Lucia even has a Chocolate festival in August. There are many cocoa plantations around the island, and they produce some of the best chocolate in the world!
Festivals
MAY: The Jazz Festival is happening as I write this. It always ends on Mother's Day. Plan for the one in 2016!
JULY: Carnival: for a party like no other.
AUGUST: Chocolate: Need I say more?
SEPTEMBER: Wedding Symposium: It's SIMPLE to be married in St. Lucia, same day, even from cruise ship!
OCTOBER: International Creole Day: Sample local delicacies like roast breadfruit, green fig and salt fish and bouillon.
NOVEMBER: Health and Wellness: It rotates to different hotels and would be a great time for small groups to visit.
EVERY FRIDAY AND SATURDAY NIGHT: Locals in various towns put on dancing shoes and aprons for fish frys. Anse La Raye Fish Fry, Gros Islet Street Party, and the Dennery Seafood Fiesta. If you stay in hiding at your all-inclusive resort, you will miss out on some amazing cuisine!
CULINARY
Let's call it a Euro-bbean cuisine. With British and French flavors blending nicely, the food is creative and amazing! Some of Ingrid's favorites include the restaurants at Hotel Chocolat and Ladera, and she spoke especially highly of the one on the beach at Cap Maison called The Naked Fisherman in Rodney Bay. An added bonus here: it has one of the largest wine cellars on the island. For something a bit unusual, arrange a cocoa plantation tour that includes lunch.
TRAVEL ESSENTIALS
St. Lucia is one of the Windward Islands, between Martinique (15 minutes by air and 1 hour by catamaran) and Saint Vincent, northwest of Barbados. it is a sub-tropical climate that is kept mild by trade winds, but be prepared for sporadic showers from June to November. It is one hour ahead of Eastern Time except in the summer when they are the same. English is the official language, but you will also hear a local dialect called Patois, a kind of French Creole.
Hewanorra International Airport (UVF) in the south is 40 miles outside Castries, the capital, while the airport in the north is used primarily for inter-island flights, as well as helicopter transfers and tours. The transfer by road take you north by the road on the east coast and can take up to 1.5 hours.
A passport that is valid for 3 months upon entering is required, and the departure tax of $13 US is included in your air ticket, but not if you leave by water.
St. Lucia is far enough south that it seems to escape the big winds of the hurricane season, for the most part, so it's a great choice for those summer honeymoons. I have a full list of resorts and amenities to share with you if you are considering a visit. Ingrid has seen them all, and is a wonderful resource for me. And it's always fun to meet someone who has actually lived on the island and can share with us about the culture and give a first-hand "feeling" of what it will be like to visit.
Thank you, Ingrid, for sharing such great info about your home. I hope to enjoy it myself soon!
Peace, Bobbie
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