Nature lovers, divers and those who want to experience an exotic Caribbean island while having modern conveniences of home will find St. Lucia ideal. A journey across the island will take you past rain forests covered in tropical vegetation and colored by flowers such as orchids, hibiscus, jasmine and frangipani. Paved and rutted roads will zig zag along the jagged coast and curve through hills suddenly revealing fishing villages lined with colorful boats and clustered around a bay as the road again resumes its course through plantation fields of bananas, coconut and sugar cane. One of the island’s main attractions is the Sulphur Springs Volcano, where visitors can get up close to bubbling pools of lava.

The US dollar is accepted. While English is the official language, it’s French history is very much in evidence in many place names from capital Castries, to Vieux Fort on the southern tip of the island.

Holiday rentals from owners in St Lucia bookable safely on-line.