A Romantic Escape to Paradise: Celebrating Our One-Year Anniversary in St. Lucia
We can’t BELIEVE it’s been over a year married already! People say the first few years is the hardest… does that still ring true if you’ve been together for 11? Leave a comment on that below! One thing we promised we’d do is ALWAYS make time for one another, celebrate milestones and take time away whenever we can to reconnect. What better milestone to celebrate than a 1 year wedding anniversary?! WE MADE IT!
We also made it to our romantic escape to St. Lucia!
St. Lucia’s lush landscape and dramatically tapered mountains was the place we actually wanted to honeymoon before we ended up honeymooning in Turks & Caicos and the Bahamas. The incredibly enchanting island of St. Lucia is a jewel in the Caribbean known for its breathtaking landscapes, mind-blowing cuisine, and truly warm hospitality. I’ve never been to a place where I was genuinely SAD I couldn’t stay connected with the people I’d met along the way while on vacation. That is truly saying something! Our stay at the luxurious Windjammer Landing, a visit to St. Lucia Distillers for a rum tour, a dip in the mud baths at the Sulphur Springs, and a thrilling Segway adventure up Mount Pimard made our anniversary trip an unforgettable experience and a trip we will NEVER forget… so let’s talk about it!
Windjammer Landing: A Haven of Romance and Beauty
Our journey began with a stay at Windjammer Landing, a stunning resort nestled on the northwest coast of St. Lucia. As we stepped onto the property, we were immediately captivated by the stunning views that stretched across the Caribbean Sea. The resort's Mediterranean-style villas, perched on the hillside, offered us unparalleled privacy and romance. We were situated in a one bed, two bath villa with kitchen and private pool that was so thoughtfully decorated by the resort! We had a spectacular view of the sunrise and the sunset each and every day along with access to a white sand beach and very calm waters — my personal favorite!
There are so many different couples experiences you can put on your itinerary for a romantic stay at Windjammer. Brydon and I enjoyed a candlelit dinner on a secluded deck situated over the Caribbean Sea as well as a visit to the spa where we indulged in an 80 minute signature couples massage that begins with a hand and foot scrub followed by a hand wash and foot bath ritual. The massage therapists incorporate warmed bamboo and polished stones throughout the full body massage and once you’re rubbed down and softer than EVER you are brought to a room to relax and enjoy a signature drink that goes with the massage! Such a sweet touch!
We indulged in delicious meals with a backdrop of the setting sun each night and also got to experience a private villa breakfast curated by the hotels signature chef. The resort's culinary offerings were a true reflection of St. Lucian flavors, featuring fresh seafood, tropical fruits, and the island's signature spices. Dining at Windjammer Landing was not JUST a meal but a sensory journey through the vibrant tastes of the island!
What I LOVED about Windjammer Landing is that it has 7… yes SEVEN different restaurants you can try ranging from traditional St. Lucian cuisine to Indian and Italian cuisines! You could go to a different restaurant every day of your 7 day adventure on the island if you wanted to! My favorite part of visiting the different restuarants is that if you felt like having Indian or Italian… you actually HAD Indian and Italian! The chefs do such an amazing job in bringing out the authenticity of the different cuisines and the hospitality at Windjammer Landing restaurants is unmatched!
Everyone we encountered, especially at Papa Don’s were so welcoming and kind! They really made us feel like family, which kept us coming back! I’ll admit, we went to Papa Don’s about 3 nights for dinner because everything from the moment you walk in to the moment you hopped in the shuttle to head back to the villa was on POINT!
Quick story time on Papa Don’s: The first night we went to Papa Don’s, I made a reservation (the reservation restos are on Open Table — incredible! You can also call down to front desk to book cat restos that require resos) and threw in we were celebrating our anniversary… Y’ALL, we walked in to THIS:
We were guided to our table that was fully decked out and decorated to make us feel SO SPECIAL and we did feel like the main characters in our very own romantic film, LOL! Icing on the cake was their evening entertainer walking over and singing us a lovely ballad. I will never forget this experience and this feeling for as long as I live!
St. Lucia Distillers: A Toast to Tradition and Craftsmanship
Now, let’s chat about one of our first excursions and experiences on the island… the RUM TOUR! No trip to St. Lucia is complete without exploring the island's rich rum heritage! A visit to St. Lucia Distillers was a highlight of our anniversary trip. The distillery, surrounded by lush greenery, took us on a journey through the art of rum-making. We learned about the island's unique distillation process and sampled a variety of aged rums! Well… I sampled, my husband watched. Someone had to be responsible LOL! A unique part about hanging out at the distillery was taking a stroll through the rich history of St. Lucia’s Caribbean Carnival! St. Lucia Distillers is a big sponsor of Lucia Carnival, the grand celebration of the islands Caribbean culture and heritage and there’s a museum filled with memorabilia, costumes, floats, and more to help you imagine what it would be like to witness Lucia Carnival!
After the tasting, you get to go into a shop with walls filled with bottles of liquid gold and purchase some to take home. I'm a HUGE fan of rum cream… so I took that for me, and I grabbed a Sorrel flavored Rum for my Mom! Sorrel is a huge staple in Jamaican households, especially for the holidays. IYKYK!
Chocolate Tour of Cacao Sainte Lucie: Sweet Indulgences for Two:
No celebration of love is complete without a touch of sweetness, and Cacao Sainte Lucie hit the spot! We embarked on a tantalizing Chocolate Tour where we discovered the artistry behind the island's world-class cocoa production. Cacao Sainte Lucie is up high, tucked into a green haven with truly breathtaking views from the rooftop restaurant. First, we got to do some eating — our favorite thing to do together! Almost every single dish is infused with cacao — from the bread and butter that came with a chocolate dip (YES even the butter and bread had flecks of chocolate) to the rich chicken and mushroom linguini with a chocolate crisp disc adding a bit of crunch to the meal — we were in HEAVEN! We ended off our meal with a sweet thirst quenching treat — I’ll be dreaming about this excursion for the rest of my days!
After having a remarkable meal, we ventured downstairs to the first floor where they have a wide variety of handcrafted chocolate that look almost TOO GOOD to eat! They' look like little pieces of delectable handmade artwork in a variety of flavors, colors and shapes! Little did we know, we would be making our own pieces of artwork ourselves! The perfect relationship building and romantic activity — a Chocolate tasting and making workshop! The one we did is called Chocolate Heights and BOY were we taken to new heights! We were literally walked through the process — from bean to bar, we witnessed the meticulous process of crafting delectable chocolate treats and then got to make our own to take home! My chocolate bar was 60% dark and I seasoned.. (is that the way you say that? LOL) with a sprinkle of sea salt and crunchy almonds. My hubby went 60% dark chocolate and cashews. Which one do you think tastes the best and how would you dress yours if you had the chance?
Mud Bath and Sulphur Springs: A Natural Spa Experience
Have you ever gone to a Sulphur spring and done a mud bath? Let me tell you WHY you need to add it to the itinerary when visiting St. Lucia. Not only did we do a couples massage during our romantic getaway to St. Lucia at Windjammer Landing… we treated ourselves to a natural spa experience! Romance is woven into the islands fabric with a rejuvenating experience at the islands world-famous Sulphur Springs.
The drive to the site treated us to breathtaking views of the Piton Mountains, an iconic symbol of St. Lucia. The Sulphur Springs, known for its therapeutic mud baths, provided us with a unique spa experience. Immersing ourselves in the warm, mineral-rich bath and taking the time to put mud on each other provided an intimate moment focused on reconnecting we will never forget.
It was not only fun but left our skin feeling refreshed and rejuvenated. It was a memorable and romantic adventure that brought us even closer together!
TIPS FOR A SULPHUR SPRING VISIT
Bring towels
Wear a dark bathing suit — or one you don’t mind getting stained if push comes to shove
Remove ALL jewellery — rings, too! They can become stained or slip off and get lost in the springs
This spring location had showers to rinse off as well as washrooms, shelving to keep your bags while you take a dip!
A JOURNEY TO TORAILLE FALLS
Locals believe that the waters possess healing properties, and a dip beneath the falls is said to wash away negative energies, leaving visitors feeling renewed and invigorated. We tested this theory and we felt R E F R E S H E D! I, however, think you need to try it out for yourself!
We all know how beneficial a cold plunge is… how about a NATURAL hot/cold plunge? That’s exactly what Brydon and I did! After heading to the hot springs, we made our way to Toraille Falls and dipped our toes in a magical, and peaceful natural landmark. Toraille Falls is a breathtaking 50-foot waterfall situated near the town of Soufrière! Its journey begins at the picturesque Diamond Botanical Gardens and moves through vibrant tropical flora before making a dramatic descent into a shallow yet refreshing pool below! The roar of the water tumbling over the cliff and into this pool at the bottom transports you to another place and brings you a sense of peace that’s just indescribable!
PRACTICAL TIPS FOR YOUR VISIT:
Bring towels
Don’t forget flip flops or water shoes
Bring a change of clothes - you well get drenched!
A visit to Toraille Falls is a must for anyone seeking an authentic encounter with the natural wonders of St. Lucia!
Segway Adventure up Mount Pimard: Soaring Above Paradise
To add an element of thrill to our anniversary celebration, we embarked on a Segway adventure up Mount Pimard. Gliding through the lush landscape, we marveled at panoramic views of the coastline and tropical forests. Our guide shared insights into the island's flora and fauna, making the experience not only exhilarating but also educational. The Segway tour provided us with a unique perspective of St. Lucia's natural beauty, creating memories that will last a lifetime.
During our exploration, we encountered Stone Face Point, a remarkable rock formation featuring a pristine water pool at its base. This aquatic oasis housed tiny fish known for their skin-cleansing abilities. Additionally, we came across Koi fish initially intended for a resort on the island, a project that unfortunately never reached completion, leading to the relocation of these colorful creatures.
I want to express my heartfelt appreciation to Thomas, our tour guide, who exhibited exceptional patience, especially with me and a few others in our group as we took our time getting accustomed to maneuvering on a Segway! It… it was a struggle at times, LOL! Thomas proved to be an outstanding tour guide, radiating enthusiasm for the island with joy in his heart and a twinkle in his eyes! His wealth of knowledge about the island and his ability to share fascinating information made the experience truly memorable. Thank you, Thomas!
St. Lucia, with its breathtaking views, delectable cuisine, and diverse activities, provided the perfect backdrop for our romantic one-year anniversary trip. From the luxurious embrace of Windjammer Landing to the cultural immersion at St. Lucia Distillers, the natural spa experience at Sulphur Springs, and the thrilling Segway adventure up Mount Pimard, every moment was a celebration of love in this Caribbean paradise. St. Lucia will forever hold a special place in our hearts as the destination where we celebrated the first of many years of wedded bliss.
So… have I convinced you to take the plunge and choose St. Lucia as your next vacation destination yet!? Whether you’re looking for an invigorating and adventurous stay on the island or reconnect on a romantic and spiritual level… St. Lucia is the BEST place and Windjammer Landing is the perfect host.