Only 44 kilometres long and 22 kilometres wide, Saint Lucia is the only country in the world to be named after a female. This immensely beautiful island, where the jungle covered slopes of the twin peaks of the Piton Mountains sweep down to palm fringed beaches and azure seas, is known as ‘The Helen of the West’.
Beyond the stunning beaches there are walks, zip-lines and aerial trams through the rainforest – and more leisurely trails through parks and botanic gardens also waiting to be enjoyed.
For retail therapy, Castries is at its most colourful and lively on Saturday mornings, but most days of the week there’s the craft market selling souvenirs and bags of spices that are authentic and affordable gifts to take home.