Castries

A lovely drive through the town of Soufrière drops you at the village of Fond Gens Libre, or Valley of the Freed People, a gateway to the Gros Piton Nature Trail. On your hike up Gros Piton — one of St. Lucia's most photographed landmarks and a UNESCO World Heritage site — you’ll pass several caves and lookout points with spectacular views of the island and sea. The nature trail weaves through three different ecosystems, including a rainforest that presents you with a rich diversity of flora and fauna. Your adventure on the mountain continues at Ladera Resort.

Start your day with a scenic drive through the towns of Soufrière and Choiseul to Balenbouche Estate. You are greeted with refreshments and an introduction to this 200-year-old, 75-acre property where you’ll spend the day pampering yourself. Feel stress melt away on a barefoot walk through the gardens that stimulates the pressure points on your feet. Take a restorative yoga class that incorporates a mindful flow of asanas, breath work and guided meditation. Discover the nourishing and healing benefits of enzyme-rich raw cuisine as you sample fresh seasonal fruit.

A helicopter flight reveals the dramatic beauty of the mountainous interior and stunning seascapes of St. Lucia like no other tour can. It’s a short drive from the dock in Castries to the helipad where your pilot is waiting. The flightseeing tour takes you over the harbor then down the west coast, with its many sheltered bays and hidden coves. Rising in the distance are the landmark Pitons, the towering volcanic spires that rise abruptly from the waters of the Caribbean.