Douglas Scott asked:


Virginia Beach is an independent city located in the South Hampton Roads area in the Commonwealth of Virginia, on the shores of the Chesapeake Bay and the Atlantic Ocean.

The city extends 28 miles southward from the mouth of Chesapeake Bay to the North Carolina border, covering 302 square miles of land and water, with 28 miles of ocean front.

Among the attractions of the city are 30 miles of shoreline with 28 miles of public beach, state of the art medical facilities and the ever changing beauty of its four moderate seasons. Civic leaders, working together to ensure that growth is orderly and sensitive to environmental concerns, have formulated and implemented strategic plans for land use, economic development and education. The city is home of The Golden Mile, a rapidly growing cluster of new high technology firms.

Most visited attractions are such as the Virginia Aquarium and Marine Science Centre, Cape Henry Lighthouses, the Association for Research and Enlightenment as well as the Ocean Breeze Water Park.

For the outdoor enthusiast, Virginia Beach offers sports fishing charters, Scuba and snorkelling, surfing and sailing for the beginner with expert instruction and rental equipment. Biking along the Virginia Beach Boardwalk and Back Bay National Refuge, hiking and watching wildlife at North River Landing Natural Area, and just hanging out at ocean side make Virginia Beach a prime family vacation spot.

All year long something is going on to excite our senses or soothe our souls. From natural wonders to fun festivals, beautiful music to thrilling races, theres something for everyone any time of the year.

From sophisticated to hip to classic, there are shopping choices for everyone.

Climb aboard Aqua Man, a fully equipped diesel powered Bertram Sport fisherman, and enjoy a fast ride to some of the most fruitful fishing grounds on the East Coast. Experience the thrill of offshore fishing or enjoy a day of inshore fishing in the Cheaspeake Bay. Whichever you choose, its sure to be a fulfilled day aboard

For those who enjoy birding, Virginia Beach offers exceptional opportunities all year round, with birds that range from huge northern gannets to tiny warblers that migrate through in spring and fall.

Virginia Beach is more than just fun in the sun. Sure, youll get the very best tan a beach can offer. It is a great place to go see for yourself. Hope you have fun and enjoy yourself.



EMORY

Fruzsina Csery asked:


Virginia - named after Queen Elizabeth I of England, who was known as the Virgin Queen - resides in the southern part of United States with greatly varying geography. It stretches from the Atlantic Ocean to the Blue Ridge and Allegheny Mountains. It is one of the country’s most scenic States. From the amazing Blue Ridge Mountains to the sandy beaches on the coast to the vivid activity in its cities, Virginia has much to offer. It is a great place to live, the state has a growing real estate market.

Richmond, Virginia’s capitol, was founded in 1607 and is located centrally - a convenient distance from many of the Commonwealth’s sites. The Richmond metropolitan area is home to approximately one million citizens and is described by Style Magazine as “a beautiful and graceful southern city, that it is hopelessly mired in tradition, that it is a vibrant center of commerce and arts.” Richmond, the capital of the Confederacy in the Civil War, has numerous fine old buildings and cultural options.

Virginia is perhaps the most historic of all the 50 states. Some of the most important events in American history took place here. It was one of the first places to have live history reenactments. In Northern Virginia, you can visit the homes of George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, George Mason, Robert E. Lee, James Monroe, and many other prominent figures in American history. If you go to Arlington National Cemetery, you’ll walk among headstones that chronicle American history and you have opportunity to remember and honor the nation’s war heroes. In the Visitors Center you’ll find maps, guidebooks, exhibits, and information services that include grave locations. Williamsburg, Yorktown and Jamestown (the birthplace of the USA) are three of Virginia’s most historic sites, don’t miss them if you are interested in American history.

Shenandoah National Park lies high above the classic American panorama, 300 square miles stretched out along the crest of the Blue Ridge Mountains, a precious reminder of the great hardwood forest that once blanketed the northeastern United States. This area is full of trails for biking and hiking or even a nice drive along the Blue Ridge mountains.

The oceanfront of Virginia Beach has many things to do and discover. The hotels are directly on the beach here, and all of the junk shops are set back on the street. This leaves pleasant views directly from many of the hotels on the beach. There are some nice beaches nearby that are much less crowded. There are also a lot of great restaurants and stores at the oceanfront.

Don’t forget to visit the East Coast’s pretty beach: Virginia Beach. Touted by the Guiness Book of World Records as the “Longest Pleasure Beach,” Virginia Beach is a family-friendly travel destination, it offers the classic beach vacation. The Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center is the state’s largest and one of the most-visited aquariums in the nation, it should not be missed.



FREDDY

Will asked:


Over the years, people from all over have come to this beautiful beach to experience the true beach holiday, and today Virginia Beach and its famous boardwalk are a fascinating mélange of family life, all the major hotels from 5 to 3 star, available vacation retals, tourist attractions and so much more.

A holiday or a vacation is perfect when every person of the family can enjoy it. Going to a place where elders will get bored or kids will feel out of place is no fun. You want to go to a place that is fun for everyone.

Virginia beach, VA is that kind of place that is ideal for the entire family, whether you decide to spend the weekend or week there; there is something for everybody. It is so child friendly that you will find signs forbidding the use of profanities.

Whenever you go to any tropical place or beach remember to carry lots of sunscreen, the higher the SPF the better. The great thing about Virginia Beach is that the beach is not just a sliver of sand and water.

It is a wide beach that is ideal for fun games like volleyball, handball. It is also great to catch those rays and get that golden tan and all those little kiddies out there can have a great time building their little sand castles and finding seashells.

The water is a clear crystal blue where you can indulge in water activities like scuba diving, snorkeling, fishing, sailing, parasailing and surfing.

The Virginia Beach boardwalk interestingly is not made up of boards. It is a 3-mile long concrete boardwalk. The minute you get on the boardwalk you feel like you are on a holiday.

The carnival like sights, sounds and the smells that are ever present on the boardwalk are good enough to make you want to be there on a holiday for life. The boardwalk like the rest of the place has something for everyone.

You can take a walk on the boardwalk with that special someone to catch the beautiful sunset or simply take your child in the pram for a stroll. The entire family can enjoy the experience of the boardwalk in a buggy or on cycles that are made for 2 to 6 people.

There is a special cycle and skating tracks for those who do not want to walk the entire 3 miles. There are restaurants and cafes that offer good food and an even better view of the ocean. Concerts, live performances and live bands are ever popular on the boardwalk.

Kids will enjoy going to the old coast guard station where they can indulge in the interactive tower cam and shipwreck exhibits. For those who enjoy baseball, there are games by the Tidewater Tides, the most popular minor league team.

Kids can also enjoy watching super power jets like the F14 tomcats and FA18 Hornets taking off from the Oceana Naval Air Station.

The most exciting part about the nightlife at Virginia Beach is the Virginia beach amphitheatre which is a huge 20,000 seat open air place for a huge variety of performing artists, singers, bands and so much more. The most popular time to be here is from April to October.

The boardwalk is another popular place to catch a glimpse of the nightlife in true VB style. The American Music festival on Labor Day weekend is the most popular.



DANNY

Gabriel Adams asked:


Virginia Beach is the largest city in the state of Virginia and is also a favorite locale for residence and vacationing alike. Virginia Beach, despite the name, is so much more than some beautiful beachside destination. While Virginia Beach does in fact feature the beach and is a great Spring Break getaway, here are some of the other great features of this gorgeous city!

First of all, you don’t have to be the energetic party animal to enjoy this wonderful place. Bear in mind, if that is, in fact, the type of person you are, there is plenty on offer for you as well. But those who like to relax and just take in the raw beauty of nature and so on, Virginia Beach is perfect for you as well.

Some examples of the more relaxing things to do in Virginia Beach are taking a cruise and checking out the lush water and skies of this precious area. There is also plenty of marine life to check out, such as dolphins and pelicans.

There are also a few state parks in the Virginia Beach area that should not be missed. This is also a great way to find some peace and quiet when the time is right. Check out the Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge to experience the diversity of landscape Virginia Beach offers.

Another great location not to miss is the Old Coast Guard Station, featuring shipwrecks from years past. It’s downright fascinating to look at! There is also a shop which carries lots of ocean related items.

For the sports enthusiast, Virginia Beach is excellent. Check out the water sports (obviously!) and you’ll also love golfing there if you are a golfer. Do you like to go diving? Virginia Beach has it! You can do training, too-no experience needed! There are also tons of water parks for the entire family to have a great adventure! These offer increased safety! Surfers love the Billabong Competition, and they flock from all over the US for this even every summer!

With all of that said, it’s worth mentioning that Virginia Beach is, of course, a gorgeous location to go to the beach! If you love to swim, boat, sunbathe, cook out, play volleyball, sip on a cold beverage, and just soak in the coastline, Virginia Beach will give you that vacation feel even if you choose to live here! Watch the waves crash in and let your worries just melt away.

Another place to get up and go to after a few days on the beach is the vast array of museums such as the Virginia Air & Space Museum, Nauticus, and the Virginia Aquarium. There is so much to see and experience in Virginia Beach! There are tons of restaurants, both upscale and affordable ones, depending on your budget.

As you can see, there are endless things to do and see in the beautiful city of Virginia Beach, Virginia. Virginians will welcome you with open arms, and you’ll practically never want to leave once you get here!



GRANVILLE

Harish Kohli asked:


Walking through Korazim, a small national park on a hillside overlooking the Sea of Galilee, I met Brigitta, a German economist and ex-resident of Bethlehem, with an unparalleled knowledge of Israel. It was a hot summer day and we sat down under a tree to talk. The tree happened to be a Zizyphus spina Christi, from whose branches it is said that a crown of thorns was prepared for Jesus. Not just any shade. Biblical shade.

Brigitta was of the opinion that the patchwork that is Palestine cannot last. The economy, the statal system, the land itself cannot support the nearly ten million people that live in Israel and the Palestinian Authority, yet Israel continues to encourage immigration. The country’s present course is unsustainable.

WATER FLASHPOINT OF THE FUTURE

Up there in cloud-cuckoo land, then, what is her solution? A holy land, comprising Israel, Palestine and Jordan, in which power and resources are shared. Chief among the resources is water, now in severely short supply. Water is the oil of this geographically unpromising and politically uncompromising corner of the Middle East. Both Israel and, subsequently, Jordan have been systematically draining the Dead Sea for irrigation. Its level has fallen ten metres in the last thirty years and at the present, faster rate it will fall a further 100 metres over the next century.

Palestinians and Israelis alike want land, livelihood, security and neither side has anywhere else to go. Water will be the flashpoint of the future.

WATER AROUND THE SEA OF GALILEE

There’s not much water at Korazim now, that’s for sure. But it wasn’t always so. Up until about 1,500 years ago, this whole region was far wetter and more fertile. There are ruins of a ritual bath and an oil press.

Korazim is one of Israel’s 54 national and nature parks. We were trying to see as many as we could in the two weeks we were spending there. Most of the parks are archaeological sites. But then, so is much of the region itself. There are sites dating back to Neolithic times, there are wonderful fortresses and palaces from the Crusader period Yehi’am, Belvoir, The Castel, Nimrod and Herodion. Although most of the parks are havens of peace and beauty, even at the worst of times, some of the national parks are in Palestinian territory and it is wise to take advice before going there.

The synagogue at Korazim is a monumental structure with broad stairs and a huge pediment (now resting on the ground beside the entrance). It is made of hard black basalt, a stone that is difficult to carve, yet it was impressively engraved with many patterns. Unlike later synagogues, which usually had mosaic pavements; early ones like this had floors of stone. And although the Jewish Commentaries (tosafta) prescribe that doorways to the synagogue should always face east, most of the synagogues in the Galilee, including this one, face south towards Jerusalem.

According to the New Testament, Korazim was one of the villages whose inhabitants refused to accept the teachings of Jesus and was cursed by Him.

WATER AROUND EASTERN GALILEE

Kursi, on the eastern shore of the Sea of Galilee, is also directly associated with the life of Christ. The place is mentioned in the New Testament as the scene, ‘in the country of the Gadarenes’, at which Jesus exorcised the devils from the body of a man and transferred them to a herd of pigs. The pigs then purportedly hotfooted it down to the water, where they drowned. Left at the site today are the remains of the largest known Byzantine monastery in the Holy Land, measuring 145 by 123 metres.

WATER AROUND LOWER GALILEE

Zippori, in lower Galilee, ‘perches on top of the mountain like a bird’, according to the Talmud (zippor in Hebrew means ‘bird’). The chalk hill was described as ‘as most assuredly a land flowing with milk and honey’. A settlement is confirmed from the days of the First Temple (eighth to seventh century BC). But the city had an extremely troubled history and changed hands several times. It became a Jewish city, a bishopric, a Crusader stronghold and an Arab town before falling to the fledgling Israel Defence Force in July 1948.

Zippori’s Christian significance lies principally in the fact that it was the birthplace of the Virgin Mary, whose parents, Ann and Joachim, lived there. Today its most remarkable artefacts are the coloured mosaics dating back 1,700 years. One depicts the life of Dionysos and measures 1.5 metres across. Another, the Nile Mosaic, depicts Egyptian festivals celebrating the high-water peak of the Nile, coupled, unusually, with a variety of hunting scenes. Most famous of all is the mosaic portrait of a beautiful woman, nicknamed the ‘Galilean Mona Lisa’, framed with medallions, on the floor of a luxurious Roman residence.

WATER-SUPPLY SYSTEMS

A testament to the technological skills of the residents in the second century AD is the water-supply system, consisting of two aqueducts and an enormous reservoir 260 metres long, between two and four metres wide and about ten metres deep. The capacity of the reservoir was 4,300 cubic metres, and at its end was a gate valve which regulated the water flow passing into the city through a tunnel 235 metres long., You can climb down some steps and walk through the reservoir, which winds through the Tunnel of the Shafts, its golden stone walls worn smooth by the action of the water.

At Tel Hazor, Tel Megiddo and the still more famous Masada, gigantic water systems are also among the most stunning features with cisterns as big as aeroplane hangars sunk into mountaintops or carved into hillsides and openings the size of the First Temple itself.

At Masada the thirty or so cisterns kept the 968 Zealots supplied with water throughout the four-year Roman siege that eventually ended with their mass *******.

On Brigitta’s advice, we visited Bet Shean, where excavations have revealed this ancient city dating back to the fifth millennium BC. The area, it is said, once enjoyed plentiful water and the first Hebrew historian wrote, as recently as 1322, that it ‘is situated on many sweet waters … and is fruitful like the Garden of Eden.’

Albeit dry as dust now, the city boasts glorious, mosaic-floored bathhouses and a hypocaust bigger and better-preserved than any I’ve seen.

ARMAGEDDON

Traveling back again another six thousand years, you may come to Tel Megiddo, or Armageddon, a hilltop city that commanded the strategic highway from Egypt to the north. It was fortified by King Solomon and turned into a chariot centre by King Ahab in the ninth century BC. The excavations look like a broad, gently rising staircase, representing twenty-five layers of civilization, with the oldest structures at the foot of the flight. At one point there are three temples, one on top of the other.

Christian teaching holds that Armageddon is the place where the battle of good and evil will be fought ‘at the end of days’. As we strolled down the hillside, a couple of doves flew over our heads a sign, perhaps, that the end is not yet nigh. 

TRAVEL BRIEF

When to go: Spring, when flowers are in bloom, and autumn are the best times. Not only is the weather extremely hot in summer (minimum daytime temperatures in August around 30°C) but also the countryside is not at its best, looking brown and parched. Also avoid times of war.

Where to stay: Youth hostels are basic but adequate and cheap, from about £32 per night for a double room with breakfast. For information www.youth-hostels.org.il; for reservations e-mail samy@iyha.org.il. Many kibbutzim offer accommodation too, e.g. Ginnosar Inn on the Sea of Galilee (fax 00 972 6 672 2991).

Further information: General information: Israel Government Tourist Office (tel. 020 7299 1111; fax 020 7299 1112); www.holytravel.com; www.inisrael.com; Israel Nature and National Parks Protection Authority (tel. 00 972 2 500 5444; fax 00 972 2 652 9232; www.parks.org.il) offers various deals, including the Green Card, which costs $40 and permits entry to unlimited parks within a 14-day period. Admission to the parks otherwise costs between about IS8 and IS18 (£1.30-6.00).



BERTRAM

Terry Wedding asked:


Whether you are a newly-wed, celebrating an anniversary or just plain madly in love, there is no better place for romance than the beach. And the most romantic stretch of beach in the country by far is the sugar-sand coastline of Gulf Shores, Alabama. The warm, white sand is soft and inviting ‘ perfect for lounging ‘ and the myriad of romantic activities and boundless beautiful panoramas are ideal for romantic interludes and creating treasured memories that will warm your hearts for years to come. No matter what your budget, the duration of your stay or your intentions, don’t miss the opportunity to rekindle the spark ‘ or a light a new one ‘ in Gulf Shores, Alabama.

If you really want to “wow” her, try taking her on a soaring adventure into the skies. Nothing could be more beautiful or awe-inspiring than watching the Gulf Shores, Alabama coastline stretch out beneath you while a powerful helicopter pulls the two of you into the air. Book a special sunrise or sunset tour for added panoramic splendor. And if you’re planning to pop “the questions,” it makes the perfect backdrop. (we promise, the pilot won’t look!)

If your loved one likes dolphins and other marine life, the two of you should be sure to check out the dolphin cruises and dolphin experiences offered in Gulf Shores, Alabama. Whether you would rather watch these delightful sea creatures frolic from a distance or actually interact with them in their native environment, Gulf Shores, Alabama has the opportunity for you. Watch her steal a kiss from Flipper, and then steal one (from her, of course!) for yourself. If you enjoy deep sea fishing, there are also combination packages available so that one of you can sun and sightsee while the other reels in a tasty dinner.

Finally, top off your day with a hearty meal at one of Gulf Shores, Alabama’s highly-rated restaurants. Whether it’s down-home cooking, fine cuisine or award-winning seafood, Gulf Shores, Alabama dining is some of the best in the country. A little-known musical community also flourishes in the area, and live musical accompaniment is not uncommon at dinner. Reserve an ocean-front table, then settle in to watch the sun set and listen to the waves lap on the shore. No matter what your plans are for after dinner, a sun-and-starlit evening is definitely the way to kick them off in the right mood.



DONNY

paulz5 asked:

Song by Aliotta, Haynes and Jeremiah

DARIO

Jen W. asked:


If you can image miles of sugar white sand nestled against an emerald green expanse of glistening water and your heart begins to beat a little faster, then Gulf Shores, Alabama is definitely the place for you. Offering unparalleled beauty along its coast and an abundance of activities and attractions around every corner, you can soak up every exciting second with a convenient and spacious Gulf Shores vacation rental.

Gulf Shores is home to every imaginable waterfront activity, including swimming, boating, surfing, fishing, shelling, and sunbathing on a sparkling, sandy beach. As the main attraction in the area and the reason most individuals flock here for a weekend or weeklong getaway, the most convenient accommodations are those that make it easy to enjoy a day of strolling along the shore or swimming in the surf. Fortunately, there are numerous Gulf Shores vacation rentals located along this magnificent shoreline so you can experience the beachfront vacation you always imagined.

While many individuals believe that hotels and resorts are a less-stressful option since they know what to expect, staying in a vacation home rental is a hassle-free way to comfortably accommodate your entire family. When you search for a rental, you can choose the perfect number of bedrooms and bathrooms for your family and you can communicate directly with the owner or manager to ensure there are no unwanted surprises. By tailoring your lodging to your individual family needs, you are bound to find a home or condo rental that is just as cozy and welcoming as your personal home.

Since the radiant sunshine and picturesque setting are a large part of your Gulf Shores experience, don’t be surprised to find wall to wall windows, cathedral ceilings, and spacious balconies in your home away from home. The rental homes are designed to offer you all of the comforts you would expect from your own home, so rather than a cold, sterile environment that you find in many hotel rooms, you have a comfortable setting from which to enjoy your surroundings and begin your adventures.

If a break from the beach is the order of the day, you can stroll to a nearby café or hop into your car, which is right outside your front door, for an afternoon at any of the exciting Gulf Shores attractions. Pull on your hiking shoes and head to the Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge in search of alligators, armadillos, coyotes, and bobcats, or toss your golf clubs into the trunk and set out for a round at the Kiva Dunes Golf Club. Worried that not everyone wants to polish their golf game? Your Gulf Shores condo rental offers many entertaining options at the private pool, in the game room, and around the beach, so a dull day is never a concern.

Although daytime is prime time in Gulf Shores, the nights are never boring if you plan them just right. Live music and fantastic food are always on the menu in coastal Alabama, so be sure to check out one of the local favorites, including Lulu’s and the Sunset Cork Room Café, before retreating indoors for the evening. And when you get back to your vacation rental, more action awaits with the piles of board games, the numerous TVs and DVD players (perfect for a family movie night in the spacious living room), and the wireless internet. Indoors or outdoors, nighttime or daytime, Gulf Shores is non-stop excitement and entertainment with an accommodating home or condo rental.

With a Gulf Shores, Alabama vacation rental, you can stay close to all of you favorite attractions, particularly the stunning beaches, without giving up any of the luxuries and conveniences of home you are accustomed to. For a vacation filled to the brim with waterfront activities, recreational pursuits, and hours of relaxation, begin your search for the perfect vacation home rental today.



GIL

Caitlin Moore asked:


Let’s be honest, when it comes to taking a beach vacation all that matters is that the weather is fine, the sand is clean and sugary, and the sun shines cheerfully all day long. Where exactly this beach is located doesn’t really matter, especially if you’re lucky enough to have a cozy and well-equipped vacation rental at your disposal. While you’re at it, though, it doesn’t hurt for a place to be abundantly brimming with activities, constantly offering the choice to head out and play or just lay low. If this sounds like the kind of trip you’re looking to take and you need some direction, consider setting your sights on Gulf Shores, Alabama.

If you weren’t aware of it, the coast of Alabama is actually a bustling little region filled with marinas, restaurants, parks and vacation rentals. Other places tend to receive more attention and are overall better known, but like we said before, does it really matter where you are, as long as it’s beautiful and beachy? You could be on the surface of mars and pay it no heed as long as there was space to unroll a towel and stretch out with that thrilling novel you’ve been longing to ***** open.

Unpacking your bags for an extended stay within the walls of a vacation rental will add an extra helping of enjoyment to a trip like this. An actual home with bedrooms, bathrooms (notice the plural form), a living room and a kitchen will invite you and your family to unwind and recharge easily and completely. Instead of running around this entire vacation as you’ve sometimes been known to do, adjust the paradigm. Staying in for a night of card playing, sleeping until you wake up naturally, and spending the entire day in nothing more than a swimsuit are perfectly acceptable ways to while away your vacation, so expand your definition of what a getaway should be.

Gulf Shores does have nature tours to take part in, shopping districts, golf courses and recreation centers, but don’t feel that you must see or do any one thing. The theme of this trip is “go with the flow,” so after consulting your inner barometer, see what the future holds. It may be to put on your shoes and hit the town, grabbing an ice cream cone with the kids and pausing to listen to a folk singer. Or, it could be to create an intimate atmosphere at “home” with the people you love the most. The backyard grill, the spacious kitchen, and the screened in porch will all encourage a fun and casual meal to take place, you know, the kind you’re always trying to create on regular days.

You’ll find that achieving lofty goals like family togetherness, relaxation, and getting a good night’s sleep will come pretty easily here. The power of high ceilings, walls of windows, tons of closet space and added bonuses like DVD players, washers and dryers, and board games can’t be underestimated. These small delights mean all the difference between a regular trip and a truly privileged one.

Your vacation home, be it a luxury condo or a beach front bungalow tucked away from the crowds, will surely rise to the task of taking you far away from your usual worries and cares. If you’re thinking about money right about now, and how only a certain kind of person is probably able to afford making these scenarios into reality, don’t be misled. Start investigating as soon as possible, and don’t be surprised if you stumble upon some great bargains. All kinds of people take advantage of vacation rentals, and most of them are far from being millionaires.

If you find yourself mentally picturing an idyllic scene involving you and your family happily frolicking on the beaches of Alabama, or if you’re at least hoping to find out more information, go for it. Vacations don’t plan themselves, so put in a little effort now in order to be handsomely rewarded later. Go online to peruse the assortment of Gulf Shores Vacation Rentals, and make your merry way to the shore sometime soon.

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ARMAND

Douglas Scott asked:


St Lucia is the sort of island that travellers to the Caribbean dream about a small, lush tropical gem that is still relatively unknown.

One of the Windward Islands of the Lesser Antilles, it is located midway down the Eastern Caribbean chain, between Martinique and St Vincent, and north of Barbados. St Lucia is only 27 miles long and 14 miles wide, with a shape that is said to resemble either a mango or an avocado.

The Atlantic Ocean kisses its eastern shore, while the beaches of the west coast owe their beauty to the calm Caribbean Sea.

In natural beauty, St Lucia seems like an island plucked from the South Pacific and set down in the Caribbean. Its dramatic twin coastal peaks, the Pitons, soar 2,000 feet up from the sea, sheltering magnificent rain forests where wild orchids, giant ferns, and birds of paradise flourish. Brilliantly plumed tropical birds abound, including endangered species like the indigenous St. Lucia parrot. The rainforest is broken only by verdant fields and orchards of banana, coconut, mango, and papaya trees.

St Lucia has been inhabited since long before colonial times and its cultural treasures are a fascinating melange of its rich past and its many different traditions. The islands people have earned a well deserved reputation for their warmth and charm, and the island itself is dotted with aged fortresses, small villages, and open air markets.

There is a broad array of exciting and exotic activities available on St Lucia. The islands steep coastlines and lovely reefs offer excellent snorkelling and scuba diving. The rainforest preserves of St Lucias mountainous interior are one of the Caribbeans finest locales for hiking and bird watching.

Of course, the island also possesses excellent facilities for golf, tennis, sailing, and a host of other leisure pursuits. Not to be missed is St Lucias Soufriere volcano, the worlds only drive in volcanic crater.

The island was probably sighted by Columbus in 1502. Resistance from the Carib inhabitants defeated several attempts at colonization by the English in the early 17th century, although France succeeded in establishing a settlement in the mid 1600s. The island changed hands several times between the two powers until the end of the Napoleonic Wars, when it passed definitively to Great Britain. St Lucia joined the West Indies Federation, gaining self government in 1967 and full independence in 1979. Castries is the capital.

A place to visit any time.



BEAU