St. Lucia

Considered a honeymooner's paradise and one of the most romantic islands in the Caribbean, St. Lucia is overloaded with charm and fun things to do. The island will graciously oblige if you want to laze around all day in a beachside hammock sipping fruity rum drinks and gazing at your new spouse, but if that gets tiring, no problem, mon. The mountainous scenery, dominated by the twin volcanic peaks of the Pitons, provides many good hiking trails and opportunities to see a jacquot, the national parrot. Below the surface, divers and snorkelers will find plenty to see as the terrain continues underwater with mountains, caves and dramatic ...

Considered a honeymooner's paradise and one of the most romantic islands in the Caribbean, St. Lucia is overloaded with charm and fun things to do. The island will graciously oblige if you want to laze around all day in a beachside hammock sipping fruity rum drinks and gazing at your new spouse, but if that gets tiring, no problem, mon. The mountainous scenery, dominated by the twin volcanic peaks of the Pitons, provides many good hiking trails and opportunities to see a jacquot, the national parrot. Below the surface, divers and snorkelers will find plenty to see as the terrain continues underwater with mountains, caves and dramatic drop-offs. At night, join the locals for the Friday Night Street Party at Gros Islet, or satiate your hankering for fish at Seafood Friday at Anse-la-Raye — both small fishing villages that rock out on Friday nights. Spend an afternoon touring the loud narrow streets and colorful markets in Castries, the island's capital, or spend a day at Pigeon Island National Park.

About the Expert

Debra Landau has written eight Lonely Planet guidebooks, including books on the USA, Caribbean, and the South.