Gardens of St Lucia 8168
9 Days Starting and ending in London, United Kingdom
Visiting: St Lucia, Castries, Soufriere, St. Lucia, Rodney Bay, London
Tour operator:
Tour code:
BSLU
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Trip Styles:
Interests:
Activities:
Tour Overview
When travelling to the Caribbean you expect sun, sea and beautiful beaches, and while we can promise all of that, this bespoke tour of Saint Lucia takes us much further. Saint Lucia is unique in its natural splendour partially due to its volcanic origin. The soil, rich in minerals, coupled that with the equatorial climate, makes it the perfect place for lush vegetation, where all manner of tropical plants flourish. We not only explore some of the island’s most notable gardens including the Diamond Botanical Gardens and Marantha Prayer Garden but we also visit one of the island’s most famous sustainable farms, the Rabot Estate, where we learn about cocoa growing and processing and craft our very own chocolates.
A melting pot of cultures with influences from the Arawak and Carib Indians, then later colonial influences from the French, English and Dutch means today’s Saint Lucia has flourished into a truly wonderful place to explore.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1
Location: St Lucia
Accommodation Name: Coco Palm Resort
Enjoy access to the airport Executive Lounge before we depart from London to St Lucia. On arrival, we will transfer to our hotel.
Day 2
Location: Castries
Accommodation Name: Coco Palm Resort
Meals Included: Breakfast
Today after breakfast, we visit the Eclectic Garden nestled at a private home, an oasis in the midst of a bustling neighbourhood. Explore the private and enchanting garden which is carefully tended and crafted by the Williams – Black Family. Dotted with Orchids from Cattleya and Dendronium to Vandas and the all too gorgeous Phalanopsis.’ The Moth Orchid we can also find Grammatopjlllum or an Aphyllum hanging from a Mango Tree. Paired with Desert Rose, Calendula, Rose bushes and a solitary Bismarck Palm that stands sentinel over the lawn, the Eclectic Garden truly provides a mish – mash of all your favourite plants against the backdrop of twittering tropical birds and flitting butterflies. The ingenuity, use of local wood and the array of tropical plants makes this an interesting place to visit. Relax on the back patio or in the front porch for a refreshing cuppa or local juice served with a St.Lucian Tit Bit after walking amidst this beautiful place accompanied by your fascinating hostess, Mrs. Black a journalist and interesting individual as she regales you with her stories and charm. We complete our visit with the stop at the renowned Castries market, noted by National Geographic as the 5th best market worldwide before heading back to our resort.
Day 3
Location: Soufriere
Accommodation Name: Coco Palm Resort
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Today, we depart and enjoy the panoramic views and embrace the magical scenery of the west coast of the island as we travel through fascinating coastal villages and verdant vegetation onto the enchanting town of Soufriere. Be struck speechless at the magnificent sight of the majestic Pitons rising to the skies out of the Glistening Caribbean Sea. We embark on an enchanting journey through the acclaimed and award-winning Diamond Botanical Gardens, where a stunning display of profound beauty of flora and fauna awaits, and the senses are captivated by a cascading waterfall. We travel onwards to Emerald Estate, a delightful exploration of organic farming featuring the cultivation of mangoes, avocados, guavas, and cocoa and a wide variety of tropical plants awaits. Here, we can also witness the traditional handcrafted process of brewing local beer. We enjoy lunch at the Mango Tree Restaurant before our visit to the Marantha Gardens nestled above Soufriere. This is a small but exquisitely designed garden serves as a sanctuary for prayer and reflection which infuses a touch of serenity into this immersive experience.
Day 4
Location: Soufriere
Accommodation Name: Coco Palm Resort
Meals Included: Breakfast
Today is free to relax and enjoy the hotel facilities.
Day 5
Location: St. Lucia
Accommodation Name: Coco Palm Resort
Meals Included: Breakfast
This morning, after breakfast we depart for Mamiku Gardens, nestled on St. Lucia’s picturesque east coast with a panoramic view of Praslin Bay. Renowned for its historical significance, Mamiku Gardens witnessed a notable battle during the 18th-century English military occupation. We will delve into the world of medicinal herbs, uncovering their various uses, and gain insights into the conservation of endangered trees and plants along the forest trails. To complement our visit, we enjoy a snack and a refreshing beverage.
Day 6
Location: Soufriere
Accommodation Name: Coco Palm Resort
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Today we depart by boat to visit Project Chocolat. We set sail aboard a power boat along the panoramic west coast of the island to Soufriere, often at times called the ‘’Garden Of St. Lucia’’. We indulge in a unique chocolate-making adventure at “Hotel Chocolat” on the historic Rabot Estate. Guided by a skilled Cocoa Grower and chocolatier, we will stroll through a cocoa grove, see coca pods, before creating your very own chocolate bar. Participate in the entire chocolate-making process, from seedling nursery to tasting. After crafting our chocolates, we savor a delightful lunch at Rabot Market, and leave with your delicious creations as you shop at the Rabot retail store. Unforgettable chocolate moments await!
Day 7
Location: Rodney Bay
Accommodation Name: Coco Palm Resort
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
After breakfast we visit Greenwood Terrace – a Heritage and Cultural Site which is home to over 350 flowering plants, tropical foliage, fruit trees and a Heritage Museum which showcases aspects of life on St. Lucia in days gone by. We will be amazed at the range of the colours and vibrancy that greets and inspires. Learn how the islands forebears used traditional herbs, bushes, and blooms in their daily lives to cure their ailments. We can view numerous artifacts around the grounds and in the museum that offer an overview of the rich historical and cultural journey of the island. Relax and enjoy lunch in the tropical aura and relish this experience. Located in the beautiful Rodney Bay Marina the delightful Sea Salt Restaurant offers local and International Cuisine, we enjoy a are well dinner while enjoying views of the marina.
Day 8
Location: London
Meals Included: Breakfast
After a morning at leisure, we transfer to the airport for our overnight flight to London.
Day 9
Location: London
We arrive in London, where the group disperses.
What's Included
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Accommodation
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Meals as per the itinerary
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Comfortable coach travel throughout
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All visits as outlined in the itinerary
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Services of a professional tour manager
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Pre-flight executive airport lounge access
What's Not Included
Accommodation details are not provided in the tour information.
Check out our Q&As
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What kind of transportation is provided during the tour?
The tour includes comfortable coach transportation throughout the journey, ensuring ease of travel between different locations.
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Is there a professional guide available during the tour?
Yes, the services of a professional tour manager are included throughout the tour to assist and guide participants.
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What unique experiences are included in the tour?
Participants will have the opportunity to embark on a chocolate-making adventure at Hotel Chocolat on the historic Rabot Estate, where they can create their own chocolate bar and participate in the entire chocolate-making process.
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What can I expect to see at the Diamond Botanical Gardens?
At the Diamond Botanical Gardens, you will experience a stunning display of flora and fauna, including a captivating cascading waterfall, set in an award-winning garden.
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What historical insights are offered at Mamiku Gardens?
Mamiku Gardens offers insights into its historical significance, including its role during the 18th-century English military occupation, and provides information on medicinal herbs and conservation efforts.
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What cultural experiences are included in the tour?
The tour includes a visit to Greenwood Terrace, a Heritage and Cultural Site, where you can learn about traditional herbs and view artifacts that showcase the rich historical and cultural journey of St. Lucia.
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Will I receive more details of the holiday before I travel?
You will receive detailed joining instructions around 10 days prior to you departure, but you are of course welcome to contact us at any time should you have any queries.
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What facilities do your coaches have?
Generally, our coaches have reclining seats, air-conditioning and toilets, however this cannot always be guaranteed as sometimes we have to use smaller vehicles. Toilets are recommended for emergency use only and regular comfort stops will be made throughout your holiday while travelling around.
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Do I have to go on the included excursions?
Absolutely not. You are more than welcome to spend the day at your hotel or exploring independently should you wish. All we ask is that you inform your Tour Manager, so they are not left waiting for you to join the group.
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Is there time to relax?
Although our itineraries may seem jam-packed, boasting access to some of the most exclusive sites across the UK and beyond, a Brightwater Holiday is just that: a holiday. Each trip will counter in more than enough free-time for you to explore places at your own leisure. And with most nights and the majority of meals being included in our tour prices, you can relax in hand-picked accommodation.
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Do I need to be an expert?
Absolutely not! Although some of our tours are specifically focused on one thing, all you need to enjoy a Brightwater holiday is interest and bags of enthusiasm! Even on our most specialist tours, we take travellers from all skill levels, from experts to beginners.
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How fit or active do I need to be for one of your holidays?
You need to be able to get on and off the coach unassisted, and most – but not all – coaches have a kneel facility that lowers the front step for ease of boarding
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Do you have self-drive holidays?
Yes, we do – tailored to your exact requirements!
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What’s the luggage allowance on your coaches?
There’s no fixed limit, but we generally say one large suitcase to go in the luggage compartment and a smaller bag that you can take onto the coach with you. For flight-inclusive holidays, we include a luggage allowance of at least 20kg.
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Where are your departure points?
UK garden holidays generally depart from London, with additional pick-ups depending on the route of the coach, while holidays to Scotland depart from Glasgow, Edinburgh and Perth, with Dundee, Inverness and Aberdeen sometimes included. All Eurostar holidays depart from London St. Pancras and flight-inclusive holidays depart from one or more of the main London airports, with regional flights .
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What about the company that will be kept?
For single travellers, those with a companion or even those travelling in a larger group, you'll find that the signature of any Brightwater Holiday is the company. You won't ever be travelling with a group of strangers, instead, you'll find yourself surrounded by like-minded people with a strong shared interest who will soon become your firm friends.
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What is a Brightwater Holiday?
Bursting with enthralling, educational and enlightening itineraries, a Brightwater Holiday, by its very nature, is packed with bucket-list-worthy destinations, behind the scenes passes and expert-led experiences. From creating bespoke quality garden and special interest tours for groups and individuals alike, we have made it our business to make our guests' travel dreams come true.
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Why is there a single supplement?
Unfortunately, single room supplements are charges that are often imposed on us as a company when we book rooms for group holidays. However, most hotels do charge less for single occupancy, and we always pass this saving on to our solo travellers in the form of a modest single supplement.
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How much are your optional excursions?
Prices start from as little as £20, but please contact our friendly team for questions about specific itineraries or excursions.
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Can I pre-book my coach seats?
Yes, you can. In the case of front seats, guests with limited mobility are given priority. Please get in touch with our friendly team to discuss any requirements you may have.
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How to get there? Easy!
With a Brightwater Holiday, the journey is just as important as the destination and we make getting you to your tour start point easy. From organising group flights and individual travel plans, to offering accessible local departure and pick-up points, we go out of our way to ensure that your journey is as convenient and hassle-free as it can be.
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Do I need to have travel insurance?
Travel insurance is required for all overseas holidays and is also strongly recommended for UK holidays – primarily to protect yourself against cancellation charges should you be unable to travel.
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Transfer as credit to Future Tours
Brightwater Holidays allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform brightwater holidays, 25 days before departure.
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Low Deposit
Brightwater Holidays requires a minimum deposit of 15% or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 70 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of brightwater holidays charges.
At 40 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.
At 7 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.