The first thing visitors to St. Lucia will notice is how exotically green it is.  The 238-square-mile island is dotted by protected parklands that preserve its lush foliage, which serves as home to parrots, wild birds and a range of four-legged critters that would rather avoid human contact.

Topographically speaking, St. Lucia resembles nearby Dominica in its mountainous, volcanic appearance.  In fact, its two most widely known landmarks are Les Pitons, twin mountain peaks that drop dramatically to the water's edge near Anse des Pitons on the island's west coast. The site is beautiful and alluring.

The island has been occupied by a number of European invaders, but the influence of the French is still most deeply felt today, in the names of its cities, towns and bays, in the architecture still evident today and in the French-inflected patois spoken by islanders here.  English, however, is spoken at all the major hotels and in island restaurants.

One of the island's main attractions is the Sulphur Springs Volcano, where visitors can get up close to bubbling pools of lava and steaming sulfurous spouts.  Another popular site is Diamond Waterfall and Mineral Baths, where visitors can splash in the sulphur-infused waters or take pictures of the lovely falls.  Nearly every type of water sport -- water skiing, snorkeling, windsurfing and the like -- is offered here, either by hotels or local operators.  Diving is a very popular pastime for visitors, and the west coast is most commonly the choice because of its calmer waters. Similarly, most hotels are located on the west coast.  Although a few more budget-oriented inns and small hotels are located directly in the capital city of Castries, the great majority tend to be located on or very near the beach.

Visitors should be aware that long drives are part of the deal with a St. Lucia vacation; the roads do not provide quick, direct access from Vigie or Hewanorra airports, located at either end of the island.  Hotel guests are advised to stay out of Castries on cruise ship arrival days, as the narrow streets are a mob scene and not fit for man nor beast!

Hotel types run the gamut, from sophisticated hideaways with spectacular views or tiny places known only by the cognoscenti to more commercial inclusive hotels and the like.  In addition, vacationers who really want to get away from everyone can choose some off-the-beaten-track places to stay, such as villas, private homes and tiny inns.

Nature lovers, divers and those who want to experience an exotic Caribbean island with still many of the modern conveniences of home will find St. Lucia to far exceed their expectations.