Recommend September 2010 - (Page 66)

is empty, but from March to August a steady trickle of visitors make the dirt-track truck ride to experience a true natural wonder—the spectacle of leatherback turtles, the world’s largest living reptiles, coming ashore to lay their eggs. Specific information on Heritage Tours can be found at heritagetoursstlucia.org. Sailing Experience the fun and exhilaration of a day at sea on the Tall Ship, Brig Unicorn, a 140-ft. replica of a 19th century brig with 2.5 miles of running rigging and 6,000 sq. ft. of sail. She took part in the 1976 Tall Ships Race and was used in the filming of “Roots” and “Pirates of the Caribbean.” Clients can enjoy lazy cruising up the west coast of Saint Lucia on the historic Brig Unicorn. As the crew goes aloft to set the billowing sails, the would-be seafarers relax with complimentary rum punch and soft drinks. The trip up the coastline is beautiful, passing picturesque coves and fishing villages. They disembark at the town of Soufriere and tour the famous Sulphur Springs/ drive-in volcano, the stunning Diamond Falls and the lush tropical gardens before returning to the famous vessel for an onboard lunch. On the return, the captain drops anchor at Anse Cochon for swimming, before sailing through beautiful Marigot Bay. Sea Spray Cruises Ltd. manages the Brig Unicorn and Tango catamarans, which include the Tango Too (80 ft. - 150 persons); Just Tango (65 ft. - 100 persons); and Mango Tango (52 ft. - 50 persons). The company also offers day and sunset cruises, and private charters on both the Brig Unicorn and catamarans. Once a week, they host “Pirate Day on the Brig Unicorn,” when the usual Soufriere day tour is done along with other activities geared toward the children. Children get the opportunity to dress up as a “pirate” for the day, their faces are painted, and a treasure hunt and fun games are all offered. The company also provides private charters. ur end a to Re comm nd. e la lay o f th that co mbin g and e s sailin a jeep ri de so cl ients ge t the river, collecting honey from a beehive and the very authentic display of wood-sawing—all while a Chak Chak band plays traditional music in the background. On the Castries Heritage Walk, knowledgeable tour guides take visitors through the historic buildings of Castries, as well as a tour through the architectural history of an old colonial island city. Pigeon Island, in fact, contains more history than any other part of Saint Lucia. It was once the home of the Amerindians and has also been a pirate hideout and military base. Visit Fort Charlotte, now a college but once the site of some of the fiercest fighting between the French and the British. Clients can also view the Choiseul Heritage site, a village rich in history, crafts and offering spectacular views. For active-centric Heritage Tours, tell clients to take the Gros Piton Trail or the Desbarra Turtle Watch tours. The Piton climbing tour takes participants to the summit of Gros Piton for a panoramic view of the Choiseul village, Petit Piton, and the entire southwestern part of the island. The trail begins in the community of Fond Gens Libre, founded by runaway slaves and Black freedom fighters or Brigands as they were called in the 18th century. Gros Piton became a natural fortress for the Brigands, its numerous caves, tunnels and lookout points along the trail serving as Brigands’ retreat during the resistance. The hike is moderate to strenuous, and takes about four hours roundtrip. The turtle watch tour, meanwhile, takes a small group on an overnight camp to Grand Anse, on the east coast, one of the most important beaches in the region for nesting sea turtles. This ruggedly beautiful spot has never been developed, and the only signs of human habitation are the lights from the village of Desbarra, which twinkle up on the distant hillside once night falls. Most of the time the beach Soft Adventure Also with Sea Spray Cruises Ltd. clients can combine sailing with an open-back jeep tour for a full-day adventure along the west coast through acres of banana plantations, two fishing villages and along the winding and picturesque tropical countryside to the town of Soufriere and taking photos of the spectacular twin peaks of “The Pitons” as they rise sheer out of the sea. They’ll also visit the Toraille Waterfall where white torrents of water gush 50 ft. over a hillside cascading into a pool at the center of a beautiful garden in a kaleidoscope of color. They’ll continue onwards to the Caribbean’s only drive-in volcano with its bubbling sulphur springs. A tour of this volcano’s sulphur springs brings visitors up-close to more than 20 belching mud pools, multi-color sulphur deposits, and other assorted minerals such as iron, copper oxide, and magnesium baking and steaming on the surface. This black/greyish, mineral water is believed to have therapeutic qualities and it’s common to see people bathing in the springs in order to remove blemishes or to simply feel rejuvenated. S28 September 2010 http://www.heritagetoursstlucia.org

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Recommend September 2010

Editor's Notes/Agent Speak
Hotel Desk
Tour Talk
Norwegian Epic
Holland America's Nieuw Amsterdam
Ocean Club Resorts, Turks & Caicos
10 Great Family Resort Stays
Saint Lucia Travel Agent Specialist Program
Stay Awhile: Great Family Escapes
Touring Latin America: Calling All Explorers!
Montreal—"Oh, the Places You'll Go!"
Hawaii: Mahalo to Condo-Hotels
The Beaches of Fort Myers & Sanibel
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter
Unforgettable Safaris
The Wonders of China
Christmas Tours

Recommend September 2010