You may have heard St. Lucia likened to the Hawaii of the Caribbean (and a veritable honeymooner’s paradise), which, given my love for Hawaiʻi, invariably influenced selecting this destination for a getaway last fall. The island’s lush greenery and prominent mountain peaks do indeed strike some correlation to Hawaii’s storied, imposing, and impressive surroundings. Though still distinctly different, their tropical and volcanic similarities offer an appealing allure, and in the case of St. Lucia, it affords a much shorter flight and a closer time zone to the continental United States. Which makes it a compelling destination for honeymooners, gourmet epicureans, and adventure-seekers alike.
The Caribbean has held a particularly special place in my heart since first visiting Antigua and Barbuda’s strikingly crystalline waters and to this day remains a preferred escape. This time I opted to book a St. Lucian property from one of my preferred associations, Relais & Chateau (which has afforded me stays from Reims [Champagne], France to Cape Town, South Africa). Although located at the opposite side of the island from the airport, their local hotelier, Cap Maison offers serenity and a sense of seclusion, as well as enchanting vistas, several pools, and accompanying culinary delights. Breakfast as well as exquisite seasonal and elegant French and West Indie infused dining can be found at the property’s widely recognized the Cliff at Cap, which boasts the most incredible sunset views, as well as a most tranquil panorama of the island’s gently rugged topography as the Caribbean Sea trails off to meet the island of Martinique in the distance. The Cliff at Cap also offers an option for exclusive seaside dining for two at “Rock Maison.” While the Naked Fisherman affords a “relaxed beach bar and grill” just below Cap Maison in a tranquil natural cove. And naturally, the island also hosts a variety of other properties from the breathtaking Jade Mountain to the equally impressive luxurious retreat of Sugar Beach, a Viceroy Resort, nestled seaside between the islands’ prominent Pitons.
Additionally, when it comes to activities and local offerings, St. Lucia readily delivers. It affords hiking to the more active and adventure seekers (especially le gros Piton, the islands’ larger of the paired iconic protruding mountain tops), decadent chocolate tastings, as well as a variety of private (or group) catamaran sails. And of course you must not miss a sulphur soak at Soufrière, the town built in the caldera of an imploded [dormant] volcano, which also boasts the Toraille waterfalls. It also proved extremely interesting to hear [and pick up some of] patois, the local language spoken, which holds French, West African and even some pre-Colombian origins — revealing the mosaic of the island’s history in its very words. Thus whatever your interests, from its natural beauty to its multifaceted language and cuisine, sulphuric springs, rich culture and history, to its breathtaking sunsets and supremely serene sails, St. Lucia rightly retains its allure and enduring desirability as a premier Caribbean destination.
Which for those who dream of such a journey but are overwhelmed at the prospect of planning it, travel agencies and advisors, like jo•vage, can help. As the premier haute luxury travel agency in Oklahoma and Georgia, our background, expertise, and firsthand knowledge translates your travel dreams into reality, especially for those seeking a highly customized, luxury-inclined and authentic experience. Thus wherever your travels may take you, St. Lucia certainly stands out given its indulgent chocolatier culture, sensational sails, and sulphur soaks — making it an idyllic equatorial escape and one jo•vage can certainly help craft, from the Caribbean to the Mediterranean and beyond.
St. Lucia rightly retains its allure as a premier Caribbean destination, from its natural beauty and multifaceted language to its breathtaking sunsets and supremely serene, sensational catamaran sails.