St Lucia is probably  the best kept secret of the Carribean. The idyllic beaches play as a stunning frame that surround  the paradise within. As a child I would imagine the ultimate tropical island, and I found it on St Lucia.

St Lucia, the second largest of the Windward Islands, it is located in the middle of the Eastern Caribbean chain of islands and is approximately 21 miles south of Martinique and 90 miles northwest of Barbados.

The main language in Saint Lucia is English although many St. Lucians also speak French and Spanish. Kwéyòl, St Lucia's second language, is widely spoken by the St. Lucian people. Kwéyòl is not just a patois or broken French, but a language in its own right, with its own rules of grammar and syntax.  St. Lucia's population is predominantly of African and mixed African-European descent, with small East Indian and European minorities. Ninety percent of the 169,000 population being Roman Catholic.   

In natural beauty, St. Lucia seems like an island plucked from the heaven and set down in the Caribbean. Its dramatic twin coastal peaks, the Pitons, soar 2,000 feet up from the sea, sheltering magnificent glossy rain forests where wild orchids, giant ferns, and birds of paradise flourish,  including endangered species like the indigenous St. Lucia parrot. You will be amazed by the vegetation-covered mountains. Amid all this increadible tropical greenery, discover unspoilt beaches, sheltered by breathtaking coral reefs.  No trip to St Lucia would be complete without a trip to the rainforests. Within the stunning vibrantly green vegetation lies all the secret waterfalls, bird song to bring the island alive, and a feeling of inner peace as your eyes feast upon the natural beauty that man can not build.

Castries, is the island’s bustling capital, and the perfect place for a visit if you fancy combining a bit of culture with shopping! Soufriere Town, on the West coast, was the islands capital 250 years ago, Now it is a slightly ramshackle little place that fulfils every visitor’s idea of what a West Indian town should look like: on a beach; backed by the Pitons and palm trees, and made up of small vibrantly-painted houses.

Every Friday night, in an area called Gros Islet, the tranquil scene is shattered as the streets erupt with activity for the weekly ‘Jump up’ – a street party for locals and tourists alike! One of the most accessible expressions of St. Lucia's rich cultural heritage is its cuisine. The fertile, volcanic soil of the island yields an enormous supply of produce. St. Lucia's abundant tropical fruits include bananas, mangoes, papayas, pineapples, soursops, passionfruit, guavas, and coconuts. Local chefs combine the island's fresh produce with a wide variety of equally fresh seafood to create tantalizing curries, Creole-style entrees, and pepperpot stews. Callaloo soup, made from a leafy green similar to spinach, is the national dish. The island's outstanding cuisine has gained international recognition by garnering several gold medals in the regions most prestigious culinary competitions.  

Expect a superb Caribbean climate with December-May the driest and coolest time, day temperatures in the 70s-80s and night temperatures in the 60s-70s. During the hottest time of year (June-August), daytime temperatures can reach the 90s. The rainy season is June-November, but don't expect a constant downpour. Rather, there are numerous short but incredibly intense showers. The Trade winds provide breezes year-round, regardless of the season.

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