BlueSkyColorado

Looking to visit St. Lucia for the first time in February 2010 renting a villa. We have been to St. Maarten several times before, and very much enjoyed. Now we are looking to visit another island, and have a dfferent experience. We understand that St. Lucia is not a total "beach" island, and find the rain forest tours and whale/dolphin watching boat trips intriguing. We're traveling with 3 couples celebrating 35 years of marriage for each couple - this tells our ages! - looking for recommendations/suggestions for visiting this island or any other islands that you may have visited. For the most part we have found the villa we are interested in renting for the week, however, if you know of a great property to rent, we'd appreciate this information as well. Regards.

Barthophile

BSK, being of a certain age myself, I can safely say you will have a wonderful time on ST. Barth. Much of the focus on a trip to St. Barth is food, wine, shopping, and of course, beaching it. Grocery shopping and villa life is fabulous. It's not the sort of island you wan to go to if you are into alot of movement, no rain forests, zip lines, and museums to visit. Just lots of French food, wine and culture to bask in. It's extrmely safe, you will not see stray animals, panhandling, beach vendors. It's also not inexpensive, but definitely worth every penny. Amazing how fast time goes there doing absolutely nothing!

BlueSkyColorado

Thanks much - I'll look into - any recommendations on villas?

Barthophile

Check out St, Barth's Properties or Wimco for more villas than you can handle! Villa Stella Maris is the perfect villa for 3 couples.

cariblover10

I notice you tagged St Kitts too, so here's a plug for what is a wonderful place to escape to as well.
'Quaintly old fashioned with a hint of colonialism' is how I would describe it. Although there are plans to put St Kitts firmly on the map with the development of a mega yacht marina, and other upscale real estate, it is still a most natural and charming destination
There are plenty of nice places to eat, Ottleys, Marshalls, Spice Mill, The Beach House for example, and places to explore, like the rain forest, Brimstone Hill fort, old sugar mill ruins and Romney Manor
The tourism website has a lot more info including a 'places to stay' page with a selection of villas. We stayed at Turtle Beach House, which was in an idyllic location and perfect for relaxing with a big pool

http://www.stkittstourism.kn/index.asp

sunnybee

St.lucia is it.....you get everything. It got the natural beauty because of it's topography. They do have some very nice clear water beaches,not the best but that's nothing to ruin your vacation. There is quite a bit to do Zipling,ATV,Horse riding,sea tours,rainforest hikes,biking,Piton climbing,island hopping and lots of sightseeing. Try contacting Serenity vacations and Tours in St.Lucia for booking accommodations. I heard they offer sun dollars and a $100us cash back for accommodation at Windjammer landing which is a villa type resort. Call 1 866 766 0794 toll free or www.serenitytvl.com

SHHHHHHHH

I went to St Lucia with my boyfriend and just found the island beautiful. We are both in our 30s and cant wait to go back to the island. I would recommend to stop at Ladera Resort for lunch. The view from this spot as you look at the pitons is unbelieveable. I see your fans of St Martin. We also went to Orient Beach, St Martin last year and loved it. We also rented a car and went around the whole island

Caribheart

St.Kitts and Grenada are also lovely islands to consider however, if you have your mind set on St.Lucia it may be where you have to go - I find people who are drawn to St.Lucia are often already there in their hearts and need to explore the island to find out if it is all the thought. The geography of the island is stunning!! It is not our favorite island but we did find many things to love about travelling through St. Lucia...especially the south side of the island around Anse Chastenet...Jalousie etc... Rodney Bay seemed a nice little tourist spot with some Caribbean flavour. The pitons are truly magestic and maybe in this life not to be missed.

Laara333

Bring "mosquito milk" or whatever you can find to avoid bug bites here in St. Lucia. I don't know if they are a type of mosquito or a sandflea but they can give you 5 bites on one finger and you don't know it until a little bubble comes up with infection in it and it itches like hell and you scratch or apply pressure and then you have these little crusties all over. Did I sit on an infected cushion in a restaurant? Cuz I have 75 of them on the undersides of my thighs.
I got this type of bit in Cuba too. Anyone know what you can use to avoid these bites? They are nasty nasty.
I live in Rodney Bay and it's a dump right now...they don't bother fixing the streets and it smells like sewer. Too bad cuz it's a tourist hangout but one day would be enough for most people. If you do come, eat at Red Snapper...good food and decent prices... or for more expensive, really good food, A/C restaurant, try Big Chef, all in same area.
Lots and lots of accommodation avail. since the economy took a hit last year so barter for a lower price and you'll get it. We stayed at a beautiful villa complex called Cotton Bay, near the north end of the island, which is the ritzy part, gorgeous 5 mil homes, get a little tour of Mount de Cap and see

Laara333

but what I would do in hindsight is stay at a resort in the south, and don't venture too far away from it as there is a lot of poverty, the roads and drivers are terrible (so take a taxi) but ziplining in the rainforest is a great day (cooler up there) and February may be OK but it is soooo hot you won't need anything but summer clothes.

progress

I totally agree with Laara333 on the dress code for the island. But on the other hand I would suggest that tours and excursations be done with an organised tour group. The taxis' a bit pricey. We choose Serenity vacations for our organised tours and excursations and I must say their prices were more reasonable plus you're served lunch, snacks and drinks with your trip which was rather impressive. Meals with planned tours you can't go wrong. Their ambassador service got two thumb up from our group. We got them tol free when ever we had any concern 1866-766-0794 before travelling to St. Lucia.