Rising to 798 metres above sea level, the impressive and imposing Pitons stand guard over the town of Soufrière - the epitome of St Lucia's soul. Colonial-era architecture and brightly-painted buildings line the streets, while a bustling seafront looks out to the idyllic ocean, where swimming, snorkelling, and scuba diving come highly recommended.

Spend a day relaxing in Rodney Bay and exploring Gros Islet. Rodney Bay features a vast horseshoe inlet for swimming and sun worshiping, whilst the nearby village has bars and restaurants aplenty. Gros Islet is a more authentic affair with rum shops, fishing shacks, and a weekly Friday night street party.

Surrounded by lush greenery where colourful houses grip the hillside, Castries has got to be one of the most beautiful spots in the Caribbean. Fusing the past with the present, this harbour-side city features a 19th-century cathedral, a 400-year-old samaan tree, and a bustling market where locals come to buy their weekly essentials.

A moderate one-mile walk from Soufrière, the curving beach of Anse Chastanet is known for its snorkelling and scuba diving. Beneath the aquamarine water, you're sure to see turtles, nurse sharks, and seahorses roaming through the natural and artificial coral. Protected by the nearby cliffs, Anse Chastanet offers quiet seclusion too.

Sugar Beach is St Lucia's most famous sunbathing spot for a reason: nestled between the two Pitons, this pristine beach affords remarkable views of the sand, the sea, and the mountains that frame it. With sun loungers and sustenance available from the nearby resort, you can easily spend the entire day here and feel totally content.