St. Lucia Resorts
One of the lesser known gems of the Caribbean, St. Lucia almost appears to be imported directly from the South Pacific. Twin peaks, the Pitons, soar up from the center of the island, surrounded by rainforests that house exotic orchids, birds of paradise, giant ferns, and colorful parrots. Orchards of tropical fruit--bananas, papayas, coconuts, and mangos--surround St. Lucia all inclusive resorts, which are steps away from the beach.
St. Lucia all inclusive packages are ideal as family vacations. Adults can indulge in rest and relaxation, while fun and excitement is top priority for the young ones. Rain Forest tours or biking tours are great fun for the whole family--or for the more adventurous families, a helicopter tour showcasing the smoking Soufriere volcano and lush jungle of the National Rain Forest.
Water sports are, of course, extremely popular on St. Lucia. Windsurfing, snorkeling, and waterskiing are usually offered by the major hotels. Boats are easily chartered for deep sea fishing, and with the catches including mackerel, white marlin, kingfish, and barracuda, it is an angler's dream come true. With clear warm water, numerous reefs, and even a sunken ship, it's easy to don scuba gear and get up close and personal with marine life.
On land, sporty types can get involved in games of cricket, soccer, beach volleyball, tennis, squash, or golf. There are many trails for horseback riding, as well as the chance to ride on the beach through the surf and enjoy a picnic after working up an appetite.
St. Lucia vacations wouldn't be complete without shopping. On market day, visit the 100-year old market at Castries. Local farmers sell fresh grown fruits and vegetables, as well as local crafts such as hand-woven baskets and prints of island scenes. The always popular duty-free imports (such as perfumes, jewelry, etc.) are available at Pointe Seraphine, a shopping complex right on the harbor.
Another big part of St. Lucia all inclusive vacations is the nightlife. Most hotels and resorts offer local live bands, cultural performances, and other forms of entertainment during the week. For those who want to venture outside of the resorts, there are plenty of bars and nightclubs to explore. In Gros Islet, the Friday Night Street Party gets locals and tourists alike moving to the rhythm of DJs from the island.
Taking holidays in St. Lucia may not be the first on one's mind when they think of Caribbean vacations, but don't let that fool you--the tropical paradise is much more intimate and special that way; a trip that is uniquely your own.
