St Lucia holidays

The idyllic island of St Lucia in the Caribbean is world renowned for its blooming natural beauty, healing spring waters and two jagged mountains that jut proudly into the blue skies.

The peaks of Gros Piton and Petit Piton have graced many photographs of this lush destination, which is close to the Caribbean islands of Martinique, St Vincent, and Barbados. You could even be fooled into thinking that you're in a James Bond shoot while enjoying holidays surrounded by the natural wonders of this island paradise.

Popular with honeymooners, as well as those looking for a luxury break from the stresses and strains of daily life, the aim of most St Lucia holidays is rest and relaxation.

Fortunately, the kind and welcoming staff at the numerous top-class resorts and luxury hotels around the island are on hand to help you relax in fine style.

In fact, pretty much all the hotels in St Lucia are of an excellent standard. Luxurious havens of elegance and charm, vibrant flowers dot the landscape of the island's hotels, along with palm trees, swimming pools, sports facilities, and exceptional restaurants and bars.

Flights to St Lucia take around nine hours from UK airports, and arrive into one of the two international airports on the island. However, you'll soon shake off that long-haul flight feeling when you arrive at your resort, unpack your belongings, and slip outside to feel the sugar-soft sands beneath your bare feet. Look out on the cobalt hues of the sea and delight in the sun kissing your skin.

It is also well worth getting out and about to see the island's traditional banana plantations, pretty towns and villages and capital city Castries.

Charming harbours, rainforests, the sulphur springs at Soufriere, the Botanical Gardens, Pigeon Island National Park, and, of course, the grand twins of St Lucia - the Pitons - are just some of the local treasures to look out for on your travels.