Each island in the Caribbean has its own personality and allure, but Saint Lucia is in a class of its own, as I discovered during the island discovery portion of the Saint Lucia Tourism Authority's North American Showcase held 06JUL to 10JUL.
The island, which is just 1/20th the size of PEI, is known for its range of upscale boutique properties as well as a delicious array of villas and all-inclusives. It’s famed for its natural beauty and surprising array of activities and attractions, from a drive-in volcano to rainforest hiking and the legendary “jump up” weekly street party.
At the conference, Minister of Tourism Dr. Ernest Hilaire told delegates, “We are the warmest people and most hospitable in the world. We have the ability to seduce you!”
Romance
And seduce not only trade attendees. The island has been named the best honeymoon destination on the globe a whopping 13 times at the World Travel Awards. And it’s a leading choice for destination weddings, thanks at least in part to the hassle-free lack of red tape: unlike some destinations, there’s no residency period. Wedding venues include yachts, a lighthouse, gardens brimming with colour, or a private plantation. Or of course resorts – Saint Lucia’s 3 Sandals resorts alone average 6 weddings weekly.
What makes Saint Lucia (airport code UVF) so smoochy? From cabbies to hoteliers, I heard it again and again: the dramatic, lush scenery. Add to that the calm and relaxing vibe and the caring locals (they really are) plus the great selection of accommodation. Certainly couples I encountered around the pool a Sandals Grande echoed that, adding when they told the folks back home they had chosen UVF for their honeymoon their family and friends were uniformly impressed – and a little envious. So there’s a definite cachet to the destination as well.
Adventure
It's also a great island for the soft adventure client. They include rollicking jeep excursions, visiting the world’s only drive-in volcano, forest hikes and scuba that one diver told me was “first class”, birdwatching (there are 166 different species of birds) and the unforgettable experience of mud-bathing at Sulphur Springs.
Cuisine & Entertainment
Food ranges from casual Creole street-food to international restaurants sure to please the most discerning client. Fine wines are easily accessed, and no trip to St. Lucia would be complete without sampling a local Piton beer. “I think you will find it excellent,” my taxi driver Chad said. (He didn’t lie.)
One of the most popular experiences for clients is joining the locals at the weekly Friday night Jump Up street party in the town of Gros Islet, not too far from the cluster of main hotels on the island’s northwest tip. From 8 pm until the last reveler makes his or her tired-but-happy way home, it’s a celebration of music, life, fun and street food.
Air Lift and Getting Around
What about lift to UVF? Currently there are 3 AC flights a week from YYZ and YUL, going up to 5 in winter from both. WS is slated to recommence twice-weekly service from YYZ in November.
“We are absolutely optimistic for this winter,” Cindy Gerhardt of WestJet Vacations told me. “We are up 24 per cent year over year and already up 23 per cent for next year.”
All of the WestJet Vacations properties, from the casual Starfish to the most luxurious ones they offer do, she says, exceptionally well.
And while the transfer by road from the airport to the largest hotel zone in the northwest remains at a winding and at times not-very-scenic 90 minutes, there are other options including by helicopter or – new in the past 2 years – by boat on the Fun To Sea Island Ferry. Accommodating just 44 passengers, fares (commissionable to agents at 10 per cent) start at US$140 per person including wine, beer, sparkling wine, soft drinks and snacks and a congenial service from the crew of four. The Fun To Sea takes about 60 minutes and includes a stunning view of the iconic twin Piton mountains. It can be a bit bumpy but all the passengers on my ride were thrilled to be there and glad they chose it.
Above all, Saint Lucia delivers a memorable vacation experience. The scenery is jaw-droppingly beautiful and the genuine kindness and hospitality of the St. Lucians was unforgettable.
As my breakfast waitress at Sandals Grande said: “It was a pleasure having you.” Believe me, it was a pleasure to be there.
More information about Saint Lucia is available at www.stlucia.org.
