St. Lucia Deals You Can’t Pass Up and This Is a Destination You will Love!

Stay at the Sandals Grande St. Lucian located in Castries and escape to your very own peninsula that juts out into the remarkable Caribbean Sea and gives you panoramic views from every single vantage point imaginable. On one side, gaze out at enormous Rodney Bay, replete with colorful sailboats and backed by luscious, cone-shaped, volcanic mountains. Get 1 Night FREE plus save up to 50% at Sandals Grande St. Lucian! Find out more.

BOOK NOW! With this St. Lucia deal, you can pick the Sandals Regency St. Lucia Golf Resort and Spa and you will find a resort that is set along a half-mile crescent-shaped beach. This 210-acre enclave spares no detail to bring you an infinitely romantic getaway. Amenities such as one of the largest freshwater pools in the Eastern Caribbean,it’s own rolling fairways and the magnificent new Villa Suites on Sunset Bluff bring Sandals Regency St. Lucia Golf Resort & Spa to the pinnacle of perfection. BOOK NOW –> Sandals Regency St. Lucia Golf Resort & Spa: Luxury Included Resort for couples.

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St. Lucia is the type of island that most travelers to the Caribbean dream about. It’s a small, lush tropical gem that is still relatively unknown. St. Lucia is one of the Windward Islands of the Lesser Antilles, and is located midway down the Eastern Caribbean chain, between Martinique and St. Vincent, and just north of Barbados. St. Lucia is only 27 miles long and 14 miles wide, with a shape that is said to resemble either a mango or an avocado. The Atlantic Ocean sweeps past its eastern shore, while the beaches of the west coast owe their beauty to the calm Caribbean Sea.

In natural beauty, St. Lucia is more like an island that was plucked from somewhere in the South Pacific and set down in the Caribbean. Its dramatic twin coastal peaks, the Pitons, soar 2,000 feet up from the sea, sheltering magnificent rain forests where wild orchids, giant ferns, and birds of paradise flourish. Brilliantly-plumed tropical birds abound, including endangered species like the indigenous St. Lucia parrot. The rainforest is broken only by lush fields and orchards of banana, coconut, mango, and papaya trees.

St. Lucia has been inhabited since long before colonial times, and its cultural treasures are a fascinating mixture of its rich past and its many different traditions. The island’s people have earned a well-deserved reputation for their warmth and charm, and the island itself is dotted with aged fortresses, small villages, and open-air markets.

There is a broad array of exciting and exotic activities available on St. Lucia. The island’s steep coastlines and lovely reefs offer excellent snorkeling and scuba diving. The rainforest preserves of St. Lucia’s mountainous interior are one of the Caribbean’s finest locales for hiking and birdwatching. Of course, the island also possesses excellent facilities for golf, tennis, sailing, and a host of other leisure pursuits. Not to be missed is St. Lucia’s Soufriere volcano, the world’s only drive-in volcanic crater.

St. Lucia’s temperature ranges from 65-85 degrees (Fahrenheit) from December to May and 75-95 degrees from June to November. The winter is relatively more dry as well. Visitors should bring cool, comfortable clothing. While jacket and tie are rarely required, overly casual beachwear is rarely appreciated off the beach though.

The currency of St. Lucia is the Eastern Caribbean Dollar. US Dollars are readily accepted throughout the island, however. Most hotels will exchange reasonable amounts of foreign currency, and there are change bureaus in Castries. The National Commercial Bank (NCB) has a branch at Hewanorra International Airport where EC Dollars can be exchanged for foreign currency. It is open daily from 12:30pm until the last flight departs. A passport and ticket are required as proof of returning visitor status. There is a Departure Tax of EC$54 for all passengers leaving the island.

• Best Time to Travel/Best Prices The best time to travel to St. Lucia weather-wise is December-May. The best time to travel for pricing is May and then September - December 15 - which is considered the “off-season”. However June 1 through November is also hurricane season in the caribbean. You should also be aware that during this “off-season” many restaurants may close for weeks at a time or shorten their dining hours. Hotels, meanwhile, may also use these slower months for needed renovation or construction. If you are considering traveling to St. Lucia during this period, you may want to place calls to hotels and recreation services to check availability and the status of any renovations that may be going on at the hotel.

• Climate: St. Lucia’s climate is hot and tropical, with an average annual temperature of 26? C (79? F) and mild trade winds for a good portion of the year. Lying in the path of the trade winds St. Lucia has year-round temperatures of 70? to 90?F. Humidity ranges from 66 - 94%. Summer temperatures range from 75 to 95 F and in the winter from 65 to 85F. Temperature is never an issue in St Lucia, making it a year-round destination for beach lovers. The average daily high is always within spitting distance of a balmy 80?F (27?C). December-May is the driest and coolest time, with day temperatures in the 70s-80s F/23-32 C and night temperatures in the 60s-70s F/15-27 C. During the hottest time of year (June-August), daytime temperatures can reach the 90s F/32-37 C. The rainy season is June-November, but don’t expect a constant downpour. Rather, there are numerous short but incredibly intense showers. Trade winds provide breezes year-round, regardless of the season.

• Awards: St Lucia was voted the ‘Worlds Leading Honeymoon Destination 2006′, through the World Travel Awards.

• Electricity: Electric current is 220 volts, 50 cycles AC. (A few hotels are 110 volts, 60 cycles.) Most sockets take 3-pin square plugs (UK standard) but some take 2-pin round plugs or flat American plugs which are more rare. Adapters are generally available at the hotels.

• Language: St. Lucia’s principal language is English, but a French-based patois is widely spoken.

• Local Time Greenwich Mean Time minus four hours; Eastern Standard Time plus one hour.

• Service Charge and Tax There is a government tax of 8% on hotel and restaurant bills, in addition to a service charge of 10%. In some cases, these charges are included in prices quoted.

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Exploring St. Lucia’s Cities

St. Lucia has some of the most overwhelmingly beautiful scenery to be found anywhere in the world. Amongst the natural beauty of its splendid forests and soaring peaks are ancient fortresses, gem-like fishing villages, and gracious town squares, places waiting like buried treasure to be discovered by newcomers.

• Castries St. Lucia’s bustling capital is home to several of St. Lucia’s historical sights, like the La Toc Battery, and beautiful architecture, including the uniquely decorated Cathedral and the Central Library. There is excellent shopping in the town market and Bagshaws, where the art of silkscreening can be observed.

• Morne Fortune (Hill of Good Luck) Overlooking Castries, this was a key battleground during the period of skirmishes over colonial possession of St. Lucia. The French began constructing a fortress at this strategic outpost in the 17th century, but it was the British who finished it when the French surrendered in 1796.

• Marigot Bay Another vital wartime base, where a British Admiral once ambushed the French by camouflaging his fleet with palm fronds. This picturesque bay is now a yacht haven and one of St. Lucia’s most beautiful spots.

• Derek Walcott Square Located in the capital, Castries, a 400-year-old samaan tree shades the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, built in 1897.

• Anse-le-Ray & Canaries An afternoon visit to these tiny fishing villages offer an interesting study of one of St. Lucia’s main traditions, fishing in dug-out canoes. Located in the south, it is the oldest town in St. Lucia, established by the French in 1746. Of particular note is its unusual marketplace, decorated with colorful murals and gingerbread trim.

• Choiseul Midway between Soufriere and Vieux Fort on the southwest coast, this village is rich in history, crafts and spectacular views. It is home to a petroglyph carved centuries ago by the island’s early inhabitants and Fort Citreon, where only a single cannon remains.

• Gros Islet Like Cinderella preparing for the Ball, this fishing village transforms itself every Friday night into a colorful carnival scene, featuring soca and reggae music and a “jump up” (dancing in the streets).

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Plantation Tours

• Errard Plantation The drive to Errard, near the village of Dennery, crosses the interior of the island and borders the rain forest. The tour includes an introduction to the various fruit crops, a “cocoa dance,” which polishes the beans, and a Creole lunch featuring local fruit juices.

• La Sikwe Historical Sugar Mill & Plantation Bordering the village of Anse la Raye, the 400-acre estate is set in a beautiful botanical garden. The tour features an onsite museum and cultural theatre with a 40-foot water wheel depicting the sugar-growing years of the 18th century. Tours must be scheduled in advance and can be arranged through any hotel.

• Marquis Estate St. Lucia’s largest estate is located just outside of Castries. This working plantation offers insights into the production of St. Lucia’s present export crops, banana and copra, as well as the principal crops of previous years, coffee and cocoa. The tour includes a scenic drive along St. Lucia’s northeast coast to the countryside, a visit to an old sugar mill, a boat ride on the Marquis river and lunch at the plantation house.

• Morne Coubaril Estate Overlooking the picturesque town of Soufriere, the tour includes a demonstration of cocoa, copra, and manioc processing, a walk on an original street formerly used by mule carriages, and a visit to a workers’ village.

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Natural Attractions of St. Lucia

St. Lucia possesses a topography and ecology of stunning beauty, matched by no other location in the Caribbean. The island’s pride in its natural resources is evident in the country’s ongoing protection and conservation efforts. In the mountainous interior lies the enormous National Rain Forest, and the island’s protected coastal sights include the breathtaking, unforgettable spires of Les Pitons. All sorts of nature hikes, tours, and programs have been developed to showcase these peerless assets, allowing visitors to enjoy the island without harming its complex and fragile environment.

St. Lucia’s environmental philosophy also extends beyond its shoreline to the protection of its beautiful coral reefs, with their rich and diverse tropical sea life. The government has created four preservation areas, encompassing all of the island’s outstanding reefs. Watersports enthusiasts, divers, and boat owners are required to purchase a permit before entering the reserve, and the fees are used for repairs to the reef and preserving threatened marine species.

• The Pitons Located near Soufriere, these primeval twin peaks, topping 2,000 feet, are St. Lucia’s most famous landmark. Only the most daring climbers have ventured an ascent to their summits, but they can be seen in all their glory from Mt. Gimie or from the decks of a boat offshore.

• National Rain Forest Of particular appeal to bird watchers, hikers and nature lovers, it covers 19,000 acres of lush mountains and valleys. It is home to giant ferns, birds of paradise and many other indigenous tree species, exotic flowers and fruits, and its paths are strewn with tiny bromeliads, wild orchids and mushrooms. Among the rare and beautiful birds adding color to the scene are the brightly-hued St. Lucia Parrot, known locally as the “jacquot,” the White Breasted Thrasher, the St. Lucia Peewee, and the St. Lucia Oriole.

• The Sulphur Springs Now dormant, it is the world’s only drive-in volcano. A tour of its bubbly, steamy sulphur springs offers a unique and fascinating lesson in the violent geology of the Caribbean Rim.

• Mt. Gimie At 3,117 feet, it is the highest point on St. Lucia. One of the best eye-filling views of this peak is to be had just as you emerge from the rain forest. Guided tours are conducted up the mountain.

• Diamond Falls France’s King Louis XVI had bathhouses built for his troops at these natural, mineral-rich falls. An invigorating shower under the cascading waters will make for a refreshing break.

• Latille Gardens This beautiful hidden treasure of St. Lucia is filled with luscious fruits, blooming flowers, thriving plants, shade trees, and vibrant waterfalls. A walk on the waterfall trails, or a relaxing night under the moon and stars amidst the scent of healthy vegetation, are definite experiences not to be missed.

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Click this link to view the official St. Lucia Tourist Board Calendar of Events.

If you are looking for other great tours or activities such as a romantic sunset champagne cruise, a high adventure canopy ropes adventure, or maybe just a relaxing tour of the rainforest be sure to check out our page of St. Lucia tours provided by Viator - Click Here.

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Video Visit to St. Lucia

Check out this St. Lucia video to get a good overview of the island and what it has to offer. This is not your typical YouTube video. It was done by www.travelchannel.co.uk and very professionally, and well done at that. After taking this video visit to St. Lucia, you will want to be making your travel plans so that you can visit it in person, I’m sure!

How to Invite Guests to Your Destination Wedding Using the Correct Destination Wedding Etiquette

Inviting guests to your destination wedding represents a slightly different scenario than that for a traditional wedding. Formal invitations, for example, are not an absolute necessity. Save the date cards, however, are much more common. It’s important to keep wedding etiquette in mind, though. Some rules will not apply to a destination wedding, while others apply no matter what type of wedding you are planning. When it comes to inviting guests, let the formality of your wedding guide the way.

There are no hard and fast rules of who you should invite or how many people you should invite. It’s entirely up to you whether you invite only family or include some close personal friends. If your guest list is quite large, then you will want to ensure that the location can accommodate everyone on your guest list should they all decide to join you for your wedding day.

While regular guests will be responsible for their own travel and lodging, it is expected that you will pay for the lodging of your attendants. This remains proper etiquette for all weddings, destination or not; if attendants require lodging to participate in your wedding you are obligated to cover their lodging for two days. Travel costs are not included in this custom.

It’s important not to invite anyone who you truly do not want to attend. Many couples assume that guests will decline the invitation to a destination wedding because of the time and cost involved in getting there. This can lead to awkward moments if someone you expected to decline decides that your wedding is the perfect vacation opportunity that they’ve been waiting for. So keep it simple and only invite those that you truly want to have sharing your special day with you.

Once you’ve established your guest list, you will want to send out a save the date card well in advance. This will ensure that everyone knows when you’re planning to marry and where. This will help your guests make plans to attend if they want, including saving up for the expense, booking time off of work and arranging for a passport if it’s required. You may want to include a list of hotels and resorts at various budget levels to help guests with their planning. As you are planning, keep in mind that if you have chosen to get married in a resort with a day-fee then you are expected to cover these fees for invited guests. It remains the height of tackiness to expect invited guests to pay admission to your wedding.

While the save the date card will likely help you narrow down your guest list, it remains proper etiquette to still send invitations to all those who received a save the date card and not just those who have pre-committed to attend. Of course, this doesn’t apply if you’re being quite informal and sending out e-vites. Some destination couples print only a handful of formal invitations for mementoes, and send an image of the invitation through email or a website. It can be difficult to find invitation vendors who will do short runs of invitations, so you may need to get creative if you only need a limited number.

If your guests choose to buy you gifts in addition to attending your wedding, it’s best to have them directed to send your gifts to your home address. Of course, etiquette dictates that this is not information that is transmitted through your save the date announcements or invitations. The best way to handle this detail is to allow your attendants and parents to spread this information through word of mouth.

You will want to send out announcements of your wedding soon after the fact. These can be prepared in advance and sent out the day of your wedding or as soon as you return home. These will go out to all those friends and family who didn’t make the cut for the guest list, but are still important enough to you to keep updated and notified of this momentous occasion in your life.

Best Wishes for a great Destination Wedding, and be sure to come back and post a comment telling us about your event!

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Great Last Minute Deals to the Caribbean and Mexico

If you are looking to escape and get away from it all, now is a great time to cash in on some great last minute deals to the Caribbean and Mexico. Many resorts and travel companies are feeling the pinch of the slow down in the US dollar and the lack of spending by US travelers, so they are offering great deals right now hoping that many will use their stimulus checks on travel. So if you were planning on taking a trip this year, now may be a great time to book that trip.

Here are just a few great deals I found, that you can cash in on:

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