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There’s a real spirit of romance about Saint Lucia. Wherever you go, there’s the beautiful backdrop of tropical mountain scenery, including the famous towering Pitons. Then there are fabulous beaches, stunning coral reefs (especially around Soufrière) and over 18,000 acres of rainforest, banana and coconut plantations waiting for you to explore. And set amidst this beauty are fantastic luxury hotels and resorts where the atmosphere is laid-back and friendly and the service always comes with a smile.

Many islanders speak a local patois and the French influence from the 18th Century can still be felt in the place names and some of the cuisine. It’s best to talk to us about the kind of Caribbean holiday you want as Saint Lucia can be as active or as relaxing as you like.

Out and About
The island’s terrain makes it ideal for outdoor activities such as exploring, hiking and mountain biking. Or just relax by the beautiful beaches, enjoy the watersports and take life easy.
Here are some other suggested activities:

• Go on a magical whale-watching boat trip. Over 20 species of whale and dolphin are regularly spotted.

• Visit the beautiful Diamond Estate Botanical Gardens, waterfall and mineral baths.

• Take a helicopter flight and enjoy spectacular views of the island from the air.

• The Drive-in Volcano and Sulphur Springs are fascinating - but beware of the smell!

• Enjoy a boat trip to Soufrière or the beautiful Marigot Bay.

• Sample freshly caught fish and lobster at Anse La Raye’s Friday night fish fry.

• A hike to the top of historic Fort Rodney on Pigeon Island is rewarded with stunning views over Rodney Bay.

• A browse through bustling Castries market is great fun.

• A Kids Summer Safari is run by the National Trust in July and August (see www.slunatrust.org).

• Car or jeep hire is worthwhile but the roads can be winding and mountainous, particularly in the south, so you might want to consider taking a local driver for the day. It’s about the same price and takes all the strain out of getting about.

Food and Drink
As you might expect in such lush tropical surroundings, the fruit here is simply wonderful, especially pineapple, soursop, tamarind, mangoes and bananas. The local fruit drinks are delicious – as are the rums which they often mix them with! Do try the traditional dish of green fig and salt fish. Callalloo soup, banana bread, mango ice cream and mango pickle are other local foods that shouldn’t be missed. When it comes to restaurants, most people rave about Dasheene at Ladera, both for its cuisine and stunning location. The same can be said of the Coal Pot in Vigie Cove, with its local crab back speciality. We can also recommend Charthouse and Buzz in Rodney Bay for excellent steak and seafood, the Cliff at Cap Maison and the stylish TAO at The BodyHoliday, LeSPORT.

Getting There
Flying time from the UK is approximately 8 hrs 45 minutes.

British Airways Departures from Gatwick 5 times a week (on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays) on B777 aircraft with World Traveller, World Traveller Plus and Club World cabins. Complimentary regional add-ons from selected airports are included, subject to availability.

Virgin Atlantic Departures from Gatwick 3 times a week (on Tuesdays, Fridays and Sundays) on B747 aircraft with Economy, Premium Economy and Upper Class cabins.

Helicopter transfers can be arranged on request - please contact us for details.

Note: All our inclusive holiday prices are based on British Airways World Traveller or Virgin Atlantic Economy flights.


Responsible Travel
For some useful background information on responsible tourism issues in Saint Lucia, as well as practical tips on what you can do to make a positive difference, we recommend The Travel Foundation's 'Insider's Guide'.