Travel
ST LucIA
the seduction
The lush coastline is dominated by
the pitons, a titanic pair of jungle-
covered spires, half a mile high, that
rise from the sparkling sea. The
interior is thick with dripping rainforests,
the shoreline encrusted with coral reefs.
and then there is the French connection.
in its raffish decrepitude, the tropical
town of soufriere still exudes seductive
vibes from the days when Creole
aristocrats – including, according
to local legend, the young Josephine
Bonaparte – cavorted in the moss-
covered courtyards of the louis Xvi
mineral baths.
anse Chastanet, st lucia’s most this barefoot luxury resort. Wrapped in
picturesque beach, lies at the end of a tropical forest, anse Chastanet (Tel.
rough track. it’s an arc of volcanic sand +1 800 223 1108, www.ansechastanet.
at the very base of the pitons, where com) is basically a series of architect’s
the breeze brings scents of mango and tree houses, cooled only by trade winds,
frangipani. scuba-divers cruise a wall of with the majestic peaks of the pitons
mixed coral that plunges down to 150ft, in plain view. The best of the 49 rooms
or take the daily boat to sites such as here are the premium hillside units –
pinnacles, where spires pierce the waves vast, open spaces with only three walls
like the tips of Neptune’s trident. apiece, and one side completely open
5 things to do
to the breeze and the view. No froufrou
Diving with dolphins and takes passengers
the must-see decor could possibly compete, so the
Visit Ocean World for day or evening trips, Billed as “the world’s only drive-in
furnishings are simple (and mostly
Adventure Park (www. with food, drink and
volcano”, you will smell sulphur springs made from indigenous materials) –
oceanworld.net) in the entertainment included.
long before you glimpse them. The clay-tiled floors, chunky wooden
Dominican Republic, the Aladdin’s cave
largest man-made dolphin Explore the huge caves at
volcano, about eight miles in diameter, furniture handmade by st. lucians,
habitat in the worl, where Two Foot Bay, Barbuda, collapsed 40,000 years ago. From the
madras-checked cotton bedspreads and
you can get the chance which is just a short flight
viewing platform – to which you walk – woven-wicker lampshades.
to swim with dolphins. away from Antigua. Get
you see a mass of ashy gray mud with
Lofty heights some expert help and
Conquer the high- go underground and
rocks streaked black, yellow and white.
est mountain in the underwater; see ancient
it bubbles, steams and stinks, and it’s
how to get there
Caribbean, Pico Duarte cave drawings, stalactites
curiously affecting. go at dusk to join the
The main Irish company offering holidays to
(3,098m/10,160ft), either and stalagmites.
locals. slather yourself in mud scooped
Caribbean destinations is Caribbean Collection
on foot or by riding a mule. A whale of a time (www.caribbeancollection.ie/(021) 463 5556)
Walk the plank Head out to sea on a
out from the riverbed, then immerse
which has packages to all three locations.
Take an excursion to whale-watching trip.
yourself in the heat of the waters while Alternatively, Sunway (www.sunway.ie/
Great Bird Island from St Lucia is said to be one
surrounded by the glow of fireflies.
(01) 231 1888), Slattery’s Travel/Beautiful Places
Dickenson Bay. Glass- of the best places in the (www.beautifulplaces.ie/1890 200725),
bottomed boats afford world to see whales with Destinations (www.destinations.ie/
leisurely views of the reef, over 20 species populating
Sweet dreams
(01) 435 0092), and Joe Walsh Tours
and a restored pirate ship the coast. Visit www. Tarzan, once he’d been reclaimed by (www.joewalshtours.ie/(01) 241 0800) service
sails around the island captmikes.com for details.
high society and grown accustomed to
certain areas of the Caribbean.
the luxe life, would have felt just right at
Answer yes to one or more of these questions?
Then the Caribbean is for you.
www.caribbeancollection.ie Ireland’s Only Caribbean Specialist
The WhiTe pages 221
TWP_185-224-EM.indd 221 28/07/2009 17:06:00
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