Five coolest things to do in St. Lucia By Flash Gordon – USA Today Personal Note: Both my wife and I have been to St Lucia several times and inspected the areas and resorts discussed below. Saint Lucias charms are many; the topography is bold and ever changing, the beaches are beautiful, and the nascent culinary scene is quietly emerging as one of the Caribbeans elite. Saint Lucia has become more than a honeymoon paradise — with plenty to offer the intrepid traveler and solo thrill seeker. THE WAY OF THE PITONS The Gros Piton (2,530 ft) and Petit Piton (2,438 ft) rise dramatically from the sea on the islands west coast. The peaks have become synonymous with Saint Lucias very identity, depictions of which can be found emblazoned on everything from postcards to cigar wrappers to beer labels. Both peaks can be climbed on hikes that range from strenuous (Gros Piton) to challenging (Petit Piton); a hiker of decent physical fitness can ascend the Gros Piton in 2.5 hours, while the Petit Piton features a few sections of thrilling open rock face near the top that necessitate the use of ropes and anchors. Both offer sweeping panoramic views of the island, the Atlantic, and the Caribbean. If youre lucky, you may even catch a glimpse of a humpback whale in the waters below. ESCAPE TO PARADISE RIDGE Ladera Resort, perched on a volcanic ridge 1,000 feet above the sea, offers the most remarkable views in the Caribbean from the propertys new ultra-luxe suites at Paradise Ridge (thanks to the extension of the three-walls concept Ladera pioneered decades ago). The suites, built from local hardwood and designed to make guests feel at home in the rainforest, feature 24-hour butler service, four-poster beds, tables and chairs crafted in the on-site workshop, extensive Saint Lucian tile work, and infinity pools (boasting loveseat swings and waterfalls) that overlook the Piton peaks. Couples can take massages in blissful solitude, and unwind while hummingbirds and parrots flit through the gardens. OF MUD AND MONSTERS Saint Lucias Sulfur Springs, located in the famed drive-in volcano near the town of Soufrière, offer visitors a glimpse at the bubbling, boiling heart of the island, and a chance to unleash their inner 8-year-old by experiencing a full-body mud bath. Treatments begin with an alabaster silica application and culminate with a volcanic mud rubdown and a soak in a steaming sulfur pool. The mud is said to contain restorative and rejuvenating properties, and will help your Twitter #selfies take on a whole new face. COOK LIKE A LOCAL Dasheene Restaurant is the playground of Chef Nigel Mitchel, the only locally-trained, Saint Lucian-born five-star chef on the island. On Saturday mornings Chef Nigel invites guests from Ladera Resort to explore the Morning Market, where his culinary team sources fruits, veggies, and fresh fish before joining him in Dasheenes kitchen to craft local favorites like green fig and saltfish, jerk fish rotis, and bouyon stew. Chef Nigel has helped Dasheene flip Caribbean cuisine on its ear by putting regional twists on Western classics; the menu features lobster burgers (when in season), mahi mahi fish and chips, and more. After experiencing delight in the kitchen, skip to The Bar at Dasheene and enroll in the mixology course, where guests can craft the perfect sundowner in the shadow of the Gros Piton. GO DEEP BLUE Saint Lucias west coast is hugged by the warm, calm waters of the Caribbean, and fringed by pristine coral reefs that cling precipitously to the islands volcanic mantle. Zip through the rainforest to secluded Sugar Beach – a picturesque stretch of sand between the Pitons – and take a deep breath though a Snuba tube as you explore the sea floor at 5, 10, or 20 feet below the surface. Sea turtles, octopus, sharks, rays and hundreds of species of fish ply these waters, which are also fantastic for introductory dive courses and snorkelers of the adventurous ilk (the sea floor drops dramatically near the base of the Petit Piton). For additional information, call Odyssey Travel at 210-656-0083 and talk to Anne or Preston about beautiful St Lucia.
Posted on: Mon, 07 Apr 2014 16:37:19 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015