St Lucia is the second largest of the Windward Islands. It has some of the finest mountain scenery in the West Indies, rich with tropical vegetation. A small island, 43km (27 miles) by 23km (14 miles), St Lucia has a great variety of plant and animal life.

A central mountain range runs the length of the island, with the highest peak being Mount Gimie at 950m (3117ft). Most spectacular are Gros Piton and Petit Piton, ancient, volcanic forest-covered cones rising out of the sea on the west coast. Soufri (vents in a volcano which exude hydrogen sulphide, steam and other gases) and boiling waterpools can also be seen. Whilst forests dominate the mountains, jasmine, scarlet chenille and wild orchids provide splashes of colour to the lush green slopes.  The island also has lush rainforests, undulating agricultural land and unspoilt beaches.

There is still considerable British and French influence felt on the island. Castries, its capital, is one of the most beautifully situated Caribbean cities. Surrounded by hills, its large, safe harbour at the head of a wide bay is a constant hive of activity.   The main language in Saint Lucia is English although many St. Lucians also speak French and Spanish. Kwéyòl, St Lucia's second language, is widely spoken by the the locals and is not just a patois or broken French, but a language in its own right, being preserved by its everyday use.

St Lucia is home to Leatherback turtles, some of which come ashore between mid-March and September to nest, when you may be lucky enough to see them, as well as the visiting whales.

Andrew Loughlin, our Sales Manager for the Midlands, North of England, Ireland and Wales recently travelled to St Lucia and met Roland Cox, who will assist in organising our fixtures.  

Undoubtedly, fixtures are a most important part of every tour, which is why it is so important for us to have the best there is available to look after us.  As Roland has arranged more than 20 tours to date, I'm sure we have the right man. He has been involved in sports administration in Barbados, Dominica and the UK, as well as his home country in the following sports - cricket, football, track & field, netball and boxing. He has been a fully qualified Cricket Umpire since 1987, a National Cricket Selector & Coach, a Cricket Match Referee,  and Chairman of the Disciplinary Committee of the St Lucia National Cricket Association. He is employed as 'Transport Coordinator' with Cricket World Cup Saint Lucia Incorporated for the ICC Cricket World Cup 2007 Tournament.
 
St Lucia is a small country measuring 27 miles long and 14 miles wide ~ in all, 238 square miles. However, travelling time to, say, a playing venue in the south (Vieux Fort) from Rodney Bay in the north, where all the groups he has dealt with so far have been accommodated, is about 90 minutes. To another venue on the south western coast may just take a little more time. There are a number of playing venues in the north and time to get to them ranges from 5 to 30 minutes.
 
The standard of the local opposition varies. Depending on what standard of opposition the visitors request, we match the standards with the Clubs, the Schools and other teams. The matches are spread island-wide. By spreading the games in this way, the visitors are given the opportunity of viewing touristic destinations, areas of immense interest and, of course, appreciate the beauty of the island! 

As with all the Caribbean islands, tourism is very important, so you are going to have an excellent choice of accommodation, depending on your budget.

The Rex St Lucian, situated at Rodney Bay on the north of the island.  All rooms offer double or twin air conditioned rooms with balcony or patio, shower or bathroom, hairdryer, radio, TV and telephone, and the standard rooms overlook the pool or gardens.

As well as being located directly on the beach, the hotel has a swimming pool, a couple of gift shops and a hairdressing salon.  Entertainment in the evenings takes place in the Admiral's Lounge, and can include limbo dancers, fire-eaters and steel bands.  There is also a fitness centre and tennis courts, and not too far away is a golf course at Cap Estate, where clubs can be hired.

Dining options include The Oriental, serving Chinese, Thai, Japanese and Indian cuisine; Mariner's, which is the main eatery serving breakfast, afternoon tea and dinner, and overlooks Redouit Beach; and the Quarterdeck, a cafe offering light snacks, ice creams, pastries and beverages. 

Other accommodation options include the Bay Gardens Inn and the Bay Gardens Hotel, also at Rodney Bay. 

• Soufriere ~ first town to be established on the island, with past inhabitants including the Empress Josephine, wife of Napoleon!
• Island Cruise ~ Take a full day cruise down the western coast to Soufriere, enjoying the wonders of the Sulphur Springs and Waterfall from the sea.  Lunch and swimming included.
• Sulphur Springs ~ Visit the world's only drive-through volcano!
• Morne Coubaril Estate ~ Museum, waterwheel and sugar mill plantation, as well as a botanical garden.
• Fond Latisab Creole Park ~ Join the Fond Assau community and listen to their Chak Chak traditional music and watch how they prepare local foods and make their crafts.
• Fond Doux Estate ~ Follow the scenic country road to a tropical Caribbean-style working plantation called where you will heighten your senses by smelling, touching and tasting a variety of tropical fruits and plants. Once you have explored the plantation you can relax in the plantation house sipping local rum punch, local fruit juices and coconut water before being treated to an authentic Creole Lunch.
• Diamond Botanical Gardens ~ These beautiful gardens in Soufriere feature mineral baths and a picturesque waterfall.
• Turtle Watching ~ Saturday evenings from mid-March to late-July.  See the Leatherbacks and Loggerheads as they come ashore in the early hours to lay their eggs.
• Friday Night 'Jump Up' ~ Colourful carnival atmosphere in Gros Islet, featuring soca and reggae music and dancing. 
• Pigeon Island National Monument ~ Small museum telling the history of the island.
• Maria Island ~ The Maria Island experience takes you through the backroads to Vieux Fort and by boat to the home of two species found nowhere else in the world: the Kouwes Snake and the Zandoli Terre lizard.
• Brig Unicorn Day Sail ~ This was the vessel used in Disney's Pirates of the Caribbean and can be hired for private adventures or sunset cruises.