When you first start thinking about staying at Caribbean villas, your mind might be filled with images of pristine beaches and tropical backdrops as you sip an ice-cold glass of some kind of pineapple and coconut cocktail. True, this may be the stereotypical view of a vacation in this part of the world, but islands like St. Lucia are experiencing a paradigm shift that will completely change your perception of what to expect when you fly south.

Not many people visit St. Lucia - not because it's any less beautiful than the other islands in the Caribbean Sea, but because this densely forested volcanic island has done little to promote its status. Why not? It could be due to a local love for the land and a reluctance to open resorts across the island. Or maybe it's because anyone who visits wants to keep St. Lucia their own little secret. Whatever the case, it's all too obvious that this island has set itself apart from other Caribbean getaways because of its rich and diverse ethnic population as well as a landscape that's unlike any other in the world.

A Banana History
St. Lucia became a British colony because of its fertile soils that produced some of the best bananas in the region. Dubbed "green gold" by locals, these fruits were the main export of the island and provided more than 10,000 residents with jobs. The industry has slowed since then, making room for more lucrative enterprises like tourism. While close to 1 million people visit the island every year, nearly three-quarters of them are day trippers rather than overnighters. If you're one of the guests at luxury rentals, you can rest assured you will be unlike the regular droves of visitors who come just to take photos and head back to their cruise ship.

Local Living
Luckily for those who are staying on the island for an extended period of time, they can take it easy and soak up St. Lucia's sights and delights without having to worry about contending with large crowds. If the beach is full one day, then visitors can go for a hike instead. Reservations at a restaurant booked for the next two nights? Save that romantic dinner date for another evening. With more free space in your itinerary, you can experience what it might be like to live on the island year round, and if you're feeling brave, you should ask a resident what their picks are for the best St. Lucia adventures. These could range from culinary escapades to hidden waterfalls - the possibilities depend on who you talk to!

Are you interested in luxury vacation rentals?  Contact Villas of Distinction today at 800.289.0900 where a qualified villa expert will help you explore which luxury villa best suits your lifestyle.