Wake up in Castries to sunshine from the balcony, overlooking an aqua pool surrounded by sunny yellow buildings and palm trees. Ahhh, and relax! Breakfast is a wonderful affair with beautifully set tables. The sparrows flit in and out between the dark wood plantation shutters, amongst the buttery yellow décor and palm-leaved plants.
In glorious sunshine, we head to the white sandy beach and drink from a coconut, overlooking the boats bobbing in the azure blue bay. It’s 'Fish Fryday' street party in Gros Islet this evening, in a crowded market amongst the delicious smells of grilling. We eat catch-of-the-day Mahi-mahi fish, washed down with a Piton beer or rum, mingling with the locals bumping and grinding by the blaring sound systems. Them, not me.
Climb the hill to the viewpoint at Pigeon Island, Gros Islet, for a wonderful view of Rodney Bay. There is a bright red British pillar box here, incongruent with lush green surroundings and ocean views. On the way back down, we discover a beautiful bar; Jambe de Bois, with wooden chairs made from shipwreck wheels. Although any bar is a beautiful sight after a hike up a hill, and we enjoy a well-deserved cold drink.
We’re off on a sunset cruise today. It starts off overcast on our boat trip and then we see a beautiful rainbow. Without a little rain, there would be no rainbows and we all need
colour in our lives. At The Naked Fisherman to drink cocktails in a natural cove just below Cap Maison. Now, where is this naked fisherman?
Dinner by flickering candlelight with sea lapping at The Coal Pot in Castries. It’s dimly lit with sublime food and gorgeous hand-painted ceramics in an open dining room, keeping it breezy and cool, like its décor.
Next, we’re off for a scenic drive to our next hotel. We're now staying up a treehouse (an actual treehouse) in Crystals Villa Hotel in Soufrière overlooking Le Pitons. The hotel is as fabulous as its name! Our room is full of ornate mahogany furniture. The tree grows up through the floor on our balcony with a view of the spectacular Petit Piton and Gros Piton volcanic spires. You can climb these mountains, but I’m happy with our own private pool.
A visit to the stunning Diamond Botanical Gardens to see the Diamond waterfall, gorgeous tropical plants and flowers and mineral baths. See the volcano with smoking sulphur springs that look like the surface of the moon. Sulphur, so good.
We have an entertaining mud bath, careful not to brush against tourists in the dark black muddy water. These mud baths are believed by some to have medicinal properties.
Early start to see the views at Tet Paul. A hilly walk with a spectacular vista overlooking the majestic Pitons to the faraway islands of Martinique and St. Vincent. The hike is described as ‘of easy to moderate difficulty’. Make of that what you will. Sounds like a politician wrote it!
The views from the Tet Paul Scenic Trail have been described as absolutely heavenly and there is a sign by one steep stairway. I’m not ready for the ‘Stairway to Heaven’ just yet but it is a lovely view here. Head in the clouds.
Next stop is Marigot Palms for the weekend, a modern apartment overlooking breathtaking views of the lush green Marigot Bay and the aqua Caribbean Sea.
Sugar Beach is appropriately named due to its powder-white sand. We love the glacé cherries the bars put on our drinks. Everyone loves a cherry on top.
A sign says: 'Drinking rum doesn’t make you an alcoholic, it makes you a pirate!'.
Maybe I’ve found my true vocation.
Written by Crystal McClory
StolenTime by Rendezvous, Saint Lucia
Saint Lucia’s most relaxing adults-only beach-front resort. Set in beautiful gardens and along a lovely two-mile stretch of beach, StolenTime has a superb all-inclusive offering; the focus on mind and body is a big draw here.
East Winds, Saint Lucia
A beautiful boutique retreat tucked away in twelve acres of tropical gardens. East Winds is a great place to stay, with outstanding cuisine. Stay in attractive cottage-style accommodation and enjoy warm Caribbean hospitality as well as a real sense of peace and tranquillity.
If you’re looking to get away from it all and simply relax, this is the perfect destination.
Jade Mountain as seen on BBC's Amazing Hotels: Life Beyond the Lobby, is the ultimate romantic retreat with stunning architecture, open-walled suites and breathtaking panoramic views of the Pitons and Caribbean Sea.
BodyHoliday offers an unbeatable combination of activities and relaxation.
Anse Chastanet boasts a beautiful beachfront setting with wonderful views, close to the town of Soufrière.
Sugar Beach is set in a beautiful bay, between the Pitons and over 100 acres of natural rainforest.
Cap Maison is a stylish and luxurious resort with a beach bar and grill; The Naked Fisherman.
Ladera is a romantic rainforest retreat with open-walled suites set in a dramatic location on a volcano ridgeline over 1000 feet above the ocean.
Windjammer Landing Villa Beach Resort could be the perfect choice if you can't decide between a villa holiday or fully inclusive resort and is child-friendly.
See Spotlight on St Lucia with Caribtours here
Read about Christine's fabulous trip here
To book your holiday, contact Abbotts Travel or pop in for a brochure:
134 George Lane, South Woodford, E18 1BA, 020 8989 9445 / info@abbottstravel.com