"Diamond Botanical Gardens Take a break fromdays at the beach witha stroll throughthese quiet, lush gardens. The nature trail is well markedand easy to navigate. Identify the localbirds, including the St. Lucian parrot, with the help oflabels and pictures along the trail. The water of the garden's Diamond Falls isaunique rustlike color due tothe minerals picked up along the stream'spath past avolcano, two miles upstream. The waterfall's colors change according to the recent rainfall. Though you can't swim in the falls, you canrelax in hot mineral spring baths. Visit early in the morning, and avoidcruise-ship daysso you can have the place to yourself."

"The Maria Islands—Maria Major and Maria Minor—off the southeastern coast are among the region'smost pristine environments.You can visit the protected wildlife reserve via a 20-minute boat ride from Pointe Sable. On Maria Major, a verdant trail leadsyou pasta variety of unusual tropical flora and fauna, most notablythe habitats of six rare native reptile species. Look for St. Lucia's whiptail lizard and the racer, a nonvenomous grass snake that might appear from a rock crevice. Snorkeling off the beach is part of the experience, too, as the island's waters are rich with coral reefs. The reserve, abirder's paradise most of the year, is closed to the public in the summertime to accommodate thenesting season of migratory birds thatflock here from Africa."

"Hike around the ruins of Morne Fortune ("good luck hill"), a former military outpostoverlooking the harbor it was meant to protect. The sitewas hardly good luck during the 18th century: Several bloody battles between the French and the British took place here. The remaining structures on Morne includeguard cells and a powder magazine, thebuilding used to store gunpowder and ammunition, as well as French and British burial grounds. At the top of the hill, neara memorial to the British infantryregiment that captured Morne Fortune in 1796, you'll finda great spotfor a panoramic view over Castries and its harbor."

"Who can resista waterfall, especially on this lush tropical island? There are a couple of easy options: Diamond Falls (though you can't swim in itsmineral-laden pool) and the 50-foot-high Toraille Falls, right off the main road nearSulphur Springs. For the more adventurous, some rocky hikesthrough denserain forest come with the reward of stunning cascades. Dennery Falls, also known as Errand or Sault Falls, tumbles down from55 feet up and israrely crowded, though you'llneed a guide to find it. A two-hour guided hike through the steep Edmund Forest Reserve leads to Enbas Saut Falls, and its clear, cold pool is well worth the effort."

"A visit to Sulphur Springs, which is dubbed the world's only drive-in volcano, is one of the most unusual excursions you can makein the Caribbean.You'll smell the rotten-egg stench of sulfur and see steam rising around the dormant volcano's crater upon arrival. (Don't worry: The last time the volcano erupted was two centuries ago.) Locals claim that soaking inthe mud baths then rinsing off witha dip in the hot springs will rejuvenate your skin and relievemosquito bites and minor skin problems. Be sure to take abefore-and-after selfie to determine whether you look younger after the experience."

"St. Lucia's iconic twin peaks—Gros Piton and Petit Piton—dominate the island's scenery, soaring 2,500 feet from the sea on the island's southwest Soufrière corner. Designated a World Heritage Site along with the surrounding Pitons Management Area, these volcanic spires take every first-time visitor's breath away. There are various ways to experience the Pitons. The brave hike either peak—Petit Piton is more strenuous, and the trail isn't marked; Gros Piton has marked trails and is a two- to three-hour hike from the village of Fond Gens Libre. Others opt totake it easy and sail pastthem on a catamaran cruise, or view them from land along the coast or from the terrace of La Haut's restaurant. Sugar Beach, facing Gros Piton, offers a frontal view of the peaks as you swim."