Enjoy St Lucia's natural beauty on a Caribbean cruise

Tuesday, 15, Dec 2009 12:00

The Caribbean island of St Lucia is known for its spectacular natural scenery - so why not look up some cruise deals and book a break in this part of the world?

Some 19,000 acres of rainforest lies in the heart of the island, with almost 30 miles of trails running through this area.

Here you can find a variety of rare plants and birds, including the Amazona Versicolor or the Jacquot, as it is also known, which is St Lucia's national bird.

Some of the most popular rainforest walks available to those visiting St Lucia on Caribbean cruises include the Barre De L'Isle Trail, which is suitable for those looking for an easy trek through the gorgeous greenery of the island and offers panoramic views of sights such as Mount Gimie, the Cul-de-Sac Valley and the Caribbean Sea.

A slightly more strenuous walk takes tourists along the Enbas Saut trail, where they can see two impressive pools and cascading waterfalls located at the head of the Troumassee River.

Two paths that may be most suitable for experienced hikers include the Des Cartiers Rainforest - which is perfect for wildlife lovers - and the Edmund Forest Reserve walk, which showcases some of St Lucia's more exotic plants.

Elsewhere, St Lucia's other attractions include its plantations, which combine some wonderful natural sights with a good dose of island history.

The main plantations include the Fond d'Or Nature Historic Park - where you can see leatherback turtles and the 20-foot Latille Waterfall - and the Fond Doux Estate, which allows visitors to conclude their visit with some local rum punch, fruit juices and coconut water, together with an authentic Creole lunch.

Holidaymakers may also be interested in seeing some of St Lucia's famed botanical gardens.

The Diamond Botanical Gardens in Soufriere offers a beautiful waterfall to gaze at and a number of mineral baths, while Mamiku Gardens is a unique site that surrounds the ruins of an 18th century sugar estate.

Companies offering cruises to St Lucia and the Caribbean include P&O, Royal Caribbean, Costa and Carnival, among others.