St Lucia

If one town were to be the heart and soul of St Lucia, it would have to be Soufrière. Its attractions include a slew of colonial-era edifices scattered amid brightly painted wooden storefronts and a bustling seafront.

The surrounding landscape is little short of breathtaking: the skyscraping towers of rock known as the Pitons stand guard over the town. Jutting from the sea, covered in vegetation and ending in a summit that looks otherworldly, these are St Lucia's iconic landmarks.

The area boasts beauty above and below the water as well as historic and natural sights aplenty.

Many visit only as a day trip from the north – don't join them! There are far too many attractions to pack into a couple of hours. Spend a couple of nights down here soaking up the ambience accompanied by the hum of the rainforest.

If you have time for only one trek during your stay, choose the Gros Piton (2617ft) climb. Starting from the hamlet of Fond Gens Libres, you walk mostly through a thick jungle. The final section is very steep, but the reward is a tremendous view of southern St Lucia and the densely forested mountains of the interior. Allow roughly four hours there and back. A guide is mandatory; contact Gros Piton Nature Trail Guides.

While climbing Petit Piton is discouraged by local authorities – some sections involve clambering on near-vertical slabs of rock – many experienced hikers and climbers do journey to the summit. Expect to take around three to four hours round-trip. The smaller peak affords better views of the island's Caribbean beaches than Gros Piton does.

You can find guides (US$60 to US$70) at the Pitons Waterfall, which is just across from the entrance to the trail, or keep an eye out for the wooden signs advertising guide services on the road on the way in. It's best to begin early as it gets hot on the climb.

About 6 miles (10km) north of Castries, the vast horseshoe of Rodney Bay boasts the island’s most diverse tourist facilities. Within the bay is a large, artificial lagoon and marina, flanked by Rodney Bay Village, a somewhat bland assemblage of bars, restaurants, shops and more.

Far more interesting is the fishing village of Gros Islet to the north. Here the historic streets are lined with rum shops and fishing shacks draped with drying nets.

A 30-minute drive from Castries transports you to yet another world, along the Atlantic-battered east coast, where you can experience a St Lucia that's very laid-back and little visited.

While this coast lacks the beaches of the west, it makes up for it with lovely bays backed by spectacular cliffs, a rocky shoreline pounded by thundering surf, and a handful of picturesque fishing towns, including Dennery and Micoud.