The sun sparkles in St Lucia

For those who dream of a tropical island paradise, positioned far away from the reality of the everyday, St Lucia could prove to be one of the ultimate travel destinations.

At just 27 miles long and 14 miles wide, and with the shape of either a mango or an avocado — depending on your predilection — it is a small haven of stunning natural beauty, offering visitors a unique glimpse into the exotic unknown.

An island nation, St Lucia lies in the eastern Caribbean Sea, with the Atlantic Ocean bordering its east coast. Barbados is situated to its north west, whilst Martinique can be found to the south.

It is said that Europeans first visited St Lucia around the year 1500, with France colonizing the island in 1660. Between 1667 and 1814, Britain and France went to war 14 times over the island, with Britain emerging as its overall conqueror in 1814. It wasn’t until 1979 that Saint Lucia became an independent state of the Commonwealth of Nations – a celebration they mark every year with a public holiday.

Today, tourism is an economic mainstay for St Lucia, with thousands of travellers visiting the exotic destination every year. The island is now renowned for its lush, tropical beauty, whilst the people have earned a reputation for their warmth and charm.

The island is one of the most volcanic in the Caribbean, with its highest point – Mount Gimie — standing at 3,120 feet above sea level. Its twin coastal peaks — probably the most distinctive features of the island — the Pitons, are located on the western side. The grand mountains sit 2,000 feet above the sea and house breathtaking rainforests, sulphur springs and pools of bubbling mud.

For those interested in the wildlife and rare plants that can be found, there is the opportunity to discover wild orchids, giant ferns and birds of paradise, including endangered species like the indigenous St Lucia parrot.

The capital city Castries, where over a third of the population resides, is another popular attraction. The city is home to the Government House, which acts as a viewpoint over its sheltered harbour, where one can watch cruise ships and ferry boats coming in and out.

For the more adventurous, St Lucia also offers a wealth of outdoor activities, such as diving, snorkelling, wind surfing and trail riding.

In recent years, St Lucia has seen increased economic activity, due to a surge in tourism, which was recognised by the government authorities as being of utmost importance. They also realised that in order to appeal to as many people as possible, the island would have to offer holidaymakers more than just its natural beauty.

Consequently, tourism-related businesses are increasingly offering different holiday packages, as well as promoting annual events such as the St Lucia Jazz Festival, which is held around May each year. Holidays in St Lucia, therefore, are an ideal way to escape from everyday life and unwind in a bustling tropical paradise.

Disclaimer: The information contained within this article is the opinion of the author and is intended purely for information and interest purposes only. It should not be used to make any decisions or take any actions. Any links are included for information purposes only.