Travel Guide to the Caribbean...

Although the Caribbean Sea is a fairly compact area in comparison to the world’s oceans, the region is far from uniform. The weather can vary greatly from island to island depending on their location and the direction of prevailing winds in addition to geological factors such as mountain chains. While Aruba, for example, boasts a desert climate featuring a variety of cactus species, Puerto Rico is both cooler and more tropical.

The islands also differ greatly in terms of their culture and language. Europeans settled the Caribbean during the great ages of exploration and colonization when many nations competed for power over the region. As a result, some islands are French-speaking to this day, while others use Spanish, English, and even Dutch as their official language. In each case, the native styles of dress and cuisine have blended over time with those of the colonizing country to produce a unique culture found nowhere else on earth.

Getting to the Caribbean

The larger islands have airports served by major airlines, while smaller ones can only be reached by ferries or by taking a flight on a smaller, regional airline. Many people, however, reach the Caribbean on large cruise ships that whisk them away from the UK and allow them to travel in comfort to the New World. Cruise ship travel is actually ideal for a region such as the Caribbean because travellers can have one “home base” that takes them to island after island, freeing them from the necessity of finding their own way from, for example, Jamaica to the Bahamas.

St. Lucia Holidays...

The island of St Lucia in the eastern Caribbean sea is a popular tourist destination, especially with those looking for a luxurious holiday. Cheap flights may not be that easy to come buy so going for the all-inclusive packages helps relieve the stress of organising your get away. The island is one of the Windward Islands, a group that includes Grenada and Martinique among others. Ownership of the island was strongly contested by the French and British over the last few centuries, and the country finally became an independent state in 1979 when it joined the Commonwealth of Nations. St Lucia offers high quality hotels and accommodation and fantastic service, ensuring it is a prime location for those enjoying luxury holidays.

St Lucia has some of the most beautiful scenery in the Caribbean, with a stunning volcanic mountainous landscape, beautiful waterfalls, and lush green jungles. Beaches with soft white sands in the north and volcanic black sand in the south line the coasts while the azure blue seas are ideal for water sports including diving, windsurfing and jet-skiing. Those wishing to explore inland can either hike on foot, hire a mountain bike or even ride a horse to enjoy the natural beauty of the island.

St Lucian holidays offer perfect opportunities for relaxation, while taking in the culture of the country. There are many festivals and events held throughout the year so visitors should be on the lookout for them. The biggest festival on the island is the Saint Lucian Jazz Festival, held in May each year. An annual carnival and La Rose and La Marguerite Festivals are also popular.