Lake Victoria is 68,800 km square, making it the continent’s largest lake in the largest tropical lake the world, and the second largest freshwater lake in the world in terms of area. Be relative to its size, with a maximum depth of 84 m and an average depth of 40 m, Lake Victoria, shared by Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda, was named after the Queen of England. This region of Africa is best known for its big cats and herds of wildebeests, zebras and giraffes roaming the savanna plains, the most diverse and endangered ecosystems are under water. . Lake Victory the seventh largest freshwater by volume, containing 2750 km cubic. It is the source of the longest branch of the Nile, White Nile, and has a catchment area of 184,000 km square water. It’s a biological hotspot with great biodiversity.

The lake is located in one of the high plateaus in the western part of Africa’s Rift Valley and is subject to territorial administration by Tanzania, Kenya and Uganda. The lake has a coastline of 3440 km, and has over 3000 islands, many of which are occupied. These include the Ssese Islands in Uganda. Lake Victoria, shared by Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda, was named after the Queen of England. This region of Africa is best known for its big cats and herds of wildebeests, zebras and giraffes roaming the savanna plains, the most diverse and endangered ecosystems are under water, therefore, becoming very popular destination for tourism. In the early 20th century, some decades after the Speke “discovered”, the colonizers began to exploit Lake Victoria basin. They authorized the middle of the natural vegetation, rejecting the forests and draining of wetlands, to plant cash crops like tea, coffee and sugar. plantations attracted migrant workers who settled in the region. As the population grew and advanced fishing methods, overfishing has become a major problem and catch began to decline. The ecosystem of Lake Victoria and its surroundings were severely affected by human influence.

In 1954, the perrch Nile (Lates niloticus) was introduced for the first time in the lake ecosystem to improve the efficiency of the fishing lake. Introduction strengthened efforts in the early 1960s. The species is present in small amounts until the early to mid 1980s, when he suffered a massive population expansion and came to dominate the fish community and ecology of the world’s largest tropical lake. Was also introduced Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus), now an important food fish for local consumption. Nile perch (Lates niloticus) was an ecological and socio-economic ally disturbing. With pollution born of deforestation and overpopulation (of people and pets), the Nile perch has also made ​​a change in the ecosystem of the lake and the disappearance of hundreds of endemic cichlid species Haplochlomine. Many of them are now accepted to be entirely disappeared. A number of other species have become extinct in the wild, where the population is kept in zoos and aquariums, for example as part of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums Species Survival Plan for these species. Some species have disappeared from Lake Victoria are known to survive in the nearby town of small so-called satellite lakes, like Lake kyago, Lake Edward and Lake Albert. In the 1950s, popular species such as Ngege (Oreochromis esculentus), had reduced so severely that they had become lost trade. The only outlet for Lake Victoria in Jinja, Uganda where it forms the Victoria Nile. The water originally drained over a natural rock dam. In 1952 British colonial engineers irritant on the dam and reservoir. A standard to emulate the former exit rate called the “tuning curve” was established, fixing the maximum rate of 300 to 1700 cubic meters per second depending on the lake. About 1900 in transport Lake Victoria ferries have been an important means of transport between Uganda, Tanzania and Kenya. The main ports on the lake are Kisumu, Mwanza, Bukoba, Entebbe, Port Bell and Jinja.

Lake victory as like the other bodies of water, it causes many disasters especially in the fishing and navigation, especially steam MV Bukoba sank in the lake on October 3, 1995, killing nearly 1,000 people. For more information on visiting Tanzania contact Wild Things For more information on visiting Tanzania’s mountains Mountain Contact United

1. Madrid
It’s hard to beat the Spanish capital in terms of what’s on offer for a city break – there’s stunning architecture, museums aplenty, beautiful parks, delicious cuisine and a vibrant nightlife, not to mention a fantastic array of shops!

Many people tend to book short breaks to cities, but there’s definitely enough in Madrid to keep you going for weeks! Among the highlights is a trip to the Reina Sofia Museum, where you can see a wonderful collection of works by a range of Spanish artists, including Picasso, Miro, Dali and Gris. After soaking up some culture, head to Madrid Rio for a spot of relaxation in the sunshine.

This vast park running alongside the Manzanares River is the perfect place to come on a hot day – there are large grassy areas shaded by trees, as well as the amazing City Beach in the Arganzuela Park area of Madrid Rio. This attraction was dreamt up by the city’s children, with a shallow pool, a series of water jets that are great fun to play in and a pool that’s shrouded in clouds of spray among its features.

2. Berlin
Thanks to the popularity of German Christmas markets, many people would probably consider Berlin to be a better city to visit in the winter than in the summer, but I love spending time here when the weather’s a bit warmer as there’s so much to enjoy.

As well as the excellent selection of museums and galleries at the aptly-named Museum Insel, there is a host of historical attractions within easy walking distance of each other. The Brandenburg Gate, Checkpoint Charlie, Babel Platz and the German Parliament are all situated along or close to Unter den Linden, a large tree-lined street that’s dotted by designer stores and pavement cafes.

There is a wide range of bars and restaurants located on the banks of the River Spree if you want to chill out and enjoy some food or a few drinks in the afternoon, but one of my favourite spots for relaxing with a cool glass of wine is Kollwitz Platz in Prenzlauerberg. This charming square is peaceful and a wonderful place to soak up Berlin’s eclectic atmosphere. Markets are often held here, while you’ll find some quirky shops just off the cobbled streets that surround the square.

3. Amsterdam
My final choice is Amsterdam, which I think is the ideal city to visit in the summer if you want an active break. Of course, it’s well known for its bike-friendly streets and paths, which is why taking to two wheels is the ultimate way to discover all that there is on offer. If you’re not sure where to start, go on a cycling tour with a local guide, who can show you some of Amsterdam’s main attractions.

Another way to get around (and one that won’t expend as much energy) is a cruise on one of the barges that gently drift along the city’s canals, which will allow you to fully enjoy the beautiful architecture that the Dutch capital is famous for.

Amsterdam is also something of a party city and a wide selection of fantastic festivals are held here every summer; highlights this year include the Canal Festival (in August), the Dutch Theatre Festival (early September), the Robeco Summer Nights Series (in July) and the Applesap Fresh Music Festival (in August). Wherever you decide to go, make sure you use a website like Hotelopia to help you find the best deals on accommodation in your chosen destination.

Although Hollywood is undoubtedly the centre of the global film industry, one of cinema’s most famous events takes place much closer to home. Indeed, I think you’ll find that the eyes of the movie world will shift their attention towards Cannes for a week and a half in mid-May, as the French city gets set to host the iconic Cannes Film Festival.

This year, the Festival de Cannes (to give its official name) will start on May 15th and run until the 26th. While many details of what will be taking part in this year’s festival are yet to be confirmed at the time of writing, I am more than confident that you will find there is a lot to see and do. With dozens of films covering a range of genres set to be showcased, it’s the ideal place to check out the latest works in the cinematic world.

Many of the features shown here are entered into competitions, with the Palme d’Or (which translates as the Golden Palm in English) the most prestigious. This is presented to the director of the best feature film, with Fahrenheit 9/11, Pulp Fiction and Taxi Driver among the movies to have won this award in years gone by.

Of course, the event is attended by hundreds of big-name actors and directors, so there will obviously be the opportunity to do some star-spotting, with art exhibitions and seminars also key components of the festival.

As I mentioned before, many of the finer points of the 2013 Cannes Film Festival have yet to be announced, but one thing that has already been unveiled is what film will be screened to launch the spectacle.

Every year, a new feature gets its first showing at Cannes to kick-off the event, with 2013 due to showcase The Great Gatsby. Directed by Baz Luhrmann, this adaptation of the classic F Scott Fitzgerald novel stars Leonardo DiCaprio, Carey Mulligan and Tobey Maguire and is to be broadcast in 3D. This will be only the second time that Cannes has launched with a 3D film (the first was Pixar’s animated feature Up in 2009) and follows the recent trend for big-budget Hollywood productions to mark the start of Cannes.

Head to the Cinema de la Plage, meanwhile, and you’ll get to watch films while sat beneath the stars. This outdoor cinema screens a different film every night of the festival and, as all the features shown here are based around a particular theme, provide a great flavour of the event.

It’s also worth remembering that there will be a significant Asian element to this year’s proceedings. This is mainly because India is to be the guest country for the 2013 event (following in the footsteps of Egypt and Brazil), with a significant delegation from the nation’s film industry set to attend various events. With this year marking the 100th anniversary of the country’s film industry, you should expect there will be plenty of opportunities to see Bollywood features and other films produced in India.

As you can see, there will be a lot going on over the 11 days that the festival is taking place, but if you want to be part of the proceedings it’s best that you book accommodation as far in advance as possible. Given the event’s prestige, it should be of little surprise that the city becomes packed. As such, I suggest you look to book a luxury holiday chateau so you’ve got somewhere quiet to relax after a day rubbing shoulders with the stars and watching fantastic films.

If you’re a film buff who is thinking about visiting Cannes, let us know what aspects of the festival you are most excited about by leaving a comment below.

From an early age we start formulating dreams and ambitions – to drive a formula 1 car, to meet the Queen, to write a novel. But while these are often kept secret, in recent years it has also become popular to lay them down in writing in the form of a bucket list – the things you want to do before you die.

And for many people, a considerable number of these personal goals involve travel. What’s great about this is that unlike wanting to get behind the wheel of a multi-million pound racing car, which all but a privileged few get to do, to achieve your travel dreams merely requires a sense of adventure, rather than a special talent for driving or a blank cheque. A bucket list is by its nature something for single travellers to compile, but that doesn’t mean you can’t share your once-in-a-lifetime experience with other like-minded adventurers.

Indeed, an organised group trip can be one of the safest and easiest ways to achieve your goals – with experienced tour leaders on hand to ensure that in the quest to complete your bucket list you don’t end up prematurely kicking the can. But just what are the sorts of life-affirming adventures you can experience and where is the best place to do them?

Well, America is a good place to start. This vast continent is home to raging rivers, towering peaks and big cities, which will give you numerous opportunities to make a considerable dent into your bucket list.

Always fancied taking on the elements head first with a spot of white water rafting? Well you can in Alaska, the USA’s most northerly state. There’s nothing quite like passing the point of no return, trusting that your boat will hold up to the pounding against the rapids and rocks, and coming out the other side soaking wet and with a huge grin on your face. Or maybe you’ve long dreamed of putting on your aviators and hitting the open highway to enjoy a classic road trip. There’s really nowhere better to cruise the asphalt than in the good ol’ US of A, with its long straight roads, scorching sunshine and wild landscapes, and no finer route to tackle than historic Route 66.

This 2,400-mile tarmac behemoth stretches from Chicago in the east to Los Angeles in the west, traversing eight states and passing through numerous communities along the way. Route 66 will take you through lively cities such as St Louis and past iconic sites such as the Hoover Dam – the landscape changing before your eyes as the miles roll on.

But of course, a bucket list would not be complete if you only included icons of modern history. But fear not, because down in the steamy jungles of Central and South America lie the spectacular ruins of ancient civilisations, which will satisfy the Indian Jones in you. For many, it’s the crown jewel of Machu Picchu in Peru that is the must-see in these parts, but to focus on it would be to ignore a wealth of other archaeological gems, such as Chichen Itza in Mexico. In fact, such is the wealth of sites on offer on this amazing continent that you could easily complete your bucket list in a single American adventure.

To enjoy the ultimate trekking tour in Nepal, book a privately-guided trip, which will guarantee you won’t have to stride out with a host of people you don’t know. While this option may be a little more expensive than joining a standard group tour, it’s worth the money when you’re travelling this far for something so special.

Great for groups
If there are several people going on your trekking holiday in Nepal, you may prefer the idea of splashing out for a private guide to ensure your group gets as much as possible out of the experience. This option really allows you to make the tour your own, with more freedom than is afforded by normal group departures.

You can set your pace to suit everyone you’re travelling with and, if there are any sights or monuments that particularly interest you, you can arrange for your guide to take you there (or give you a bit longer to explore if it’s somewhere already included on an itinerary). Of course, this freedom can also appeal to pairs of travellers and, as there are operators that provide private guides for as little as two people on a booking, you shouldn’t have any trouble in organising this if it’s what you’d prefer.

Have more freedom
As mentioned above, you’ll be in a position to be a little more flexible with the itinerary on a privately-guided trip than one where you’re part of a larger group. However, this isn’t the only way in which you can enjoy more freedom. Because your guide will only be looking after you and the rest of your party for the duration of the trek, you can be more flexible about the dates you travel on than if you were joining a pre-arranged tour. This means you can organise the holiday to suit everyone in your group, even if that leads to you flying in the middle of the week or having to wait for a particular time of the year to go on the trip.

Take things at your own pace
When you join a group tour, you can never guarantee that everyone on it will be of a similar level of fitness, so you can end up with problems if people are having to constantly alter their walking speed to fit in with other members of the party.

This is never an issue on a private guided trek, as you can set a pace you’re comfortable with and won’t need to worry that you’re going too quickly or slowly for other people in the group. It’s worth mentioning here that you should aim to walk at a slow, steady rate when you’re trekking at altitude, as it means you’re less likely to be affected by altitude sickness during your trip.

Have a wider choice of tours
There are some routes that are only offered by travel operators on a private basis. As a result, you will have a greater number of tours to choose from if you decide to book a private trekking tour, as opposed to a standard group departure that sees you travel with other people you may not know. For example, you can book a mini-circuit in the Annapurna region as a private trip, but not as a group departure. This particular route offers an introduction to the highlights of the area but isn’t as strenuous or as long as the full Annapurna Circuit.

Here’s what you can look forward to if you visit South Georgia as part of an Antarctic expedition.

Fascinating history
We’ll start with something you may not expect to find on South Georgia, and that’s interesting history. Your first stop should be to the South Georgia Museum, which is home to a host of interesting exhibits relating to the island’s heritage and natural history. You’ll find the establishment at Grytviken in what used to be a whaling station manager’s house. There are exhibitions dedicated to the island’s discovery and habitation, the whaling industry, its flora and fauna and Ernest Shackleton – the famous polar explorer who is buried in South Georgia.

Amazing wildlife
One of the biggest draws of any Antarctic cruise is the chance to spot creatures that are found nowhere else on the planet and South Georgia is home to a fair number of interesting species. There are several kinds of penguin found on the island – including the macaroni, gentoo, chinstrap and king varieties – while leopard, Weddell, Antarctic fur and southern elephant seals can all be spotted along the coast or in the waters off South Georgia.

You should also be on the lookout for some of the many seabirds known to visit or live on the island. There are several small, offshore isles that provide ideal places for nesting colonies, particularly because rodents have not managed to reach them and deplete the population of the birds that mate here.

Among the winged creatures you could spot are black-browed and grey-headed albatrosses, southern giant and snow petrels, brown skuas, Antarctic terns and South Georgian shags. You might also be lucky enough to catch a glimpse of one of the most majestic birds in the sky – the wandering albatross. You should always keep one eye on the sea while you’re in South Georgia, though, because orcas, Commerson’s dolphins, humpback, minke and sperm whales are among the large marine mammals that glide through the waters.

Stunning scenery
South Georgia is a spectacular island to look at as you approach it from the sea. There are two mountain ranges running along it – Allardyce and Salvesen – which boast 11 peaks that are taller than 2,000 m. The highest of these is Mount Paget’s peak at 2,934 m. During the summer months (which is when Antarctic cruises are run), approximately 75 per cent of South Georgia is covered in snow, icecaps and glaciers, adding to the dramatic appearance of the isle as it rises up above the sea.

Dotted just off the coast of South Georgia are a number of small, rocky outcrops that provide nesting sites for many of the seabirds in the area. Among the biggest are Willis Island and Bird Island to the northwest, as well as Cooper Island in the southeast and Annekov Island in the southwest. Most ships that travel to this part of the world will have a small RIB onboard, allowing you to get close to some of the seabird colonies and easily go ashore to explore South Georgia.

I know that before I jet off on a city break, I like to ensure I know all the practical details, such as how to get around and the best areas to stay in. So, when I visited Pisa in Italy, I armed myself with lots of useful information.

It certainly comes in handy on a weekend break to places like Pisa, as these holidays tend to be fairly short, so you want to cram in as much as possible without spending hours trying to read maps or public transport itineraries. Below are some top tips I’ve put together to help you make the most of your time in the Italian destination.

Flights
Flights to Pisa are incredibly quick and convenient – just over two hours direct from the UK. I always check out how long a plane journey is going to take me before I book accommodation anywhere, as I don’t like to spend too much time travelling when I only have a few days to explore. There are lots of airlines that fly to Pisa, so if you do your online research you should find the cheapest ticket. Ryanair, easyJet, KLM and British Airways are some of the companies to choose from.

Pisa Airport
Once you’ve landed at Pisa Airport, you need to decide how to travel to the city centre. Getting a car hire in Pisa is one option, and the drive to your accommodation should take around ten minutes. The airport lies at the Pisa Aeroporto exit on the Florence-Pisa-Livorno dual carriageway. It’s also well connected to the A12 Genova-Rosignano motorway, so rest assured you’ll easily get about.

If you don’t fancy driving, though, you can also catch the train into the centre. You’ll board at Galileo Galilei train station and need to hop off at Pisa Central, while the bus stop for the city centre is also close to the train station near the airport. As you might have guessed, driving, the train and bus are also your main options for getting around Pisa and the surrounding area. I think having a hire car is always useful for going on daytrips to nearby towns and cities, as that way I don’t feel as though I’m tied to a public transport timetable.

Accommodation
Pisa has a huge range of accommodation options, from five-star hotels and luxury apartments to campsites and hostels. This means that whatever your budget, you’ll find the perfect place to stay. While a lot of holidaymakers like to sleep somewhere central, I actually prefer to pick a hotel a little out of the action.

You’ll find rates are a lot cheaper, but I always make sure I’m close to a public transport stop, as then I don’t need to worry about driving after a night out. Plus, the outskirts tend to be a bit quieter, so you can get lots of sleep before a busy day sightseeing.

Restaurants
I don’t think you can go wrong with Italian cuisine, and the food on offer in Pisa is some of the best in the country. The province is abundant with truffles, for example, while it’s also an important winegrowing region.

As you’d expect in this corner of Italy, there are some top-end (and pricy!) places to eat at, including Michelin-starred ones. These include Romano, Butterfly, Lorenzo and Bistrot. There are plenty of more pocket-friendly options too if you want some simple but honest homemade Italian fare.

Rhyl SeaQuarium
My first recommendation is the Rhyl SeaQuarium in north Wales. I love visiting aquariums at any time of year, but it makes particular sense to do so in the winter, since it automatically means you’ll get out of the cold!

What’s great about this particular aquarium is that it has so much going on – especially for families, who will find their kids can see everything from animals that live along the UK’s coastline, to exotic creatures from all over the world and charming sea lion shows! Personally, I think one of the galleries especially likely to be a hit with both children and adults is Strange But True, which is dedicated to showing off some of the world’s more unusual animals, such as the African clawed frog.

At Lethal Reef, meanwhile, you can check out some of the most poisonous creatures in the world. Sealion Cove appeals more to me, though, since here you can catch fun sea lion shows – which last around 15 minutes apiece – several times a day.

Big Pit: National Coal Museum
Underground attractions are always safe bets for blustery days, and Big Pit: National Coal Museum is undoubtedly one of the best. Come here and you and your children can learn all about life as a miner – and even head down into a mine yourselves!

In fact, the underground tour is this museum’s best-known attraction, and is something of a must-do while you’re here. A real miner will take you down to a depth of 300 ft into the mine, before giving you a 50-minute guided tour of the coal faces and engine houses. He’ll also share some of his own experiences of mining with you.

This is something that kids especially are bound to love – particularly as you get to wear all the kit that miners wear. This includes a helmet, cap lamp and other safety essentials.

King Arthur’s Labyrinth
My next suggestion is King Arthur’s Labyrinth, which is an absolutely amazing day out for families. Like the National Coal Museum, this attraction is largely underground, hence why it’s so good for winter holidays.

You’ll find it at Corris Craft Centre in Corris, Gwynedd. Not only do you and your kids get to venture underground here, but you do so in a boat – led through a ‘magic waterfall’ by a hooded boatman back into the Dark Ages!

During the trip, your boatman tells tales of the past, focusing on the legends of King Arthur. The stories of battles and encounters with dragons will be brought to life with special effects as your boat travels, including sounds and lights. So, expect this to be a truly exciting trip!

And, just to finish up, I think it’s worth remembering that you don’t need to entirely discount outdoor activities just because it’s winter. OK, so you might not want to go on day-long hikes, but as the beautiful Welsh landscape often looks particularly dramatic in winter – either dark and brooding or bright and crisp – it’s worth taking the odd walk or bike ride, provided the weather isn’t too rough.

If you’re planning an all inclusive escape to Cuba, Varadero has to be the perfect place for an indulgent and relaxing getaway. The sandy spot is renowned for its beautiful beaches and luxurious hotels, so choosing the best accommodation can be a difficult task!

To makes things a little easier, I’ve come up with a guide to three of the best places to stay if it’s real decadence and exclusivity you’re after.

Riu Varadero

A relatively new resort having opened just a couple of years ago, the Riu Varadero is located on the area’s most popular beach, providing visitors with ample opportunity for sunbathing or getting involved in a wide range of water sports.

The five-star complex boasts well-appointed rooms equipped with all the modcons you could think of – including air conditioning, satellite TV and a minibar – while there are also extensive sporting and dining facilities onsite. A variety of restaurants, two swim-up bars and a couple of less formal eateries provide plenty of selection when you’re in need of sustenance, and the hotel offers a gym, nearby golf course, tennis courts, a wellness centre and a multipurpose sports field.

As part of an all inclusive getaway at Riu Varadero, you can dine in six a la carte restaurants, use the hotel’s sauna, take sightseeing tours aboard a pleasure boat, go windsurfing and make use of the onsite disco.

Iberostar Varadero
The modern Iberostar Varadero complex is also located on a stunning beach, complimented by tropical plants. The hotel draws on Cuba’s colonial heritage in its design and offers visitors true luxury with its spacious rooms, wide-ranging leisure activities and opportunities to really get under the skin of the nation by experiencing local traditions and customs.

Stay at the Iberostar Varadero and you can make the most of the beautiful beachfront location, as well as sample the best of Cuban cuisine. The hotel prides itself on serving up authentic Cuban dishes and selling the famous local cigars so that visitors can enjoy a genuine experience.

The five-star resort has spa facilities – ideal if you want to relax and be pampered – as well as a gym for when you have energy to burn, and couples are especially well catered for at the resort with champagne on arrival, late check-out options and a romantic dinner in one of the speciality restaurants onsite.

Melia Varadero
Situated between two idyllic beaches, the hotel Melia Varadero offers a tranquil setting with facilities that include an extensive complex of swimming pools, opportunities to go horse-riding, play golf, try your hand at shooting or book a beginner’s scuba diving lesson.

Tuck into authentic Cuban meals at the restaurants or take advantage of the al fresco dining offered at the beachside grill before visiting the onsite art gallery or attending a craft workshop. Wander through the hotel’s main atrium and admire the tropical plants and fountains, or head to the Santiago Bar to take in a lively cabaret performance.

Next to the hotel is the Plaza las Americas complex – ideally catering for those looking for a little retail therapy, thanks to its shopping centre – while the hotel also offers massage and gym facilities, a daytime entertainment programme, Wi-Fi access, an onsite hairdresser and doctor, and a laundry service. If you decide to go all inclusive for your break, you can expect meals, entertainment and many activities to be included in the overall price you pay for your holiday. Find out more about what Cuba has to offer by clicking here.

St Lucia is one of the most exciting and beautiful Caribbean islands – or I think so, anyway! I know a lot of people say Caribbean destinations are picture-perfect, but this description really does fit St Lucia. Home to glorious beaches, turquoise water, lush rainforest and stunning mountains, this island is overflowing with attractions – but which are absolute must-sees?

1) Beaches
I think it’s pretty hard to talk about top attractions on any Caribbean isle without including at least a brief nod to its beaches. That said, since gorgeous beaches can be found in lots of destinations, I’ll try to keep this section short!

• Reduit Beach is the most popular on the island, being ideal for swimming and romantic walks as the sun sets
• Anse Chastanet and Jalousie beaches are brilliant for snorkelling and diving
• The beaches on the west coast are tranquil, and are good for swimming and other water sports.

2) Soufriere
Soufriere is a lovely little town close to the Pitons (I’ll talk more about these later), but it’s actually the local volcano of the same name that I’m really interested in. You see, what’s unique about this particular volcano is that it’s a ‘drive-in’ site, which means you can actually travel right into it to see the bubbling sulphur. Trust me, this will be pretty memorable!

3) Diamond Falls Botanical Gardens
Also located in the town of Soufriere is Diamond Falls Botanical Gardens. Far more than just pretty gardens alone (though there’s certainly a decent amount of these!), this attraction is home to mineral baths, a nature trail, restaurant and, most excitingly, Diamond Falls itself.

The reason I think Diamond Falls is the ultimate attraction here is the fact that, unlike your usual waterfall, this one changes colour several times a day, thanks to its sulphur-rich waters. So, it’s a pretty magical sight. I’d also recommend taking a dip in one of the mineral baths, though, which are said to have healing properties.

Just as a final tip, the nature trail is currently closed for repair work, so if you are planning to visit and like the sound of following it, it’s worth double checking in advance whether or not it’ll be open.

4) Pigeon Island National Park
The place to go if you fancy soaking up a little history, Pigeon Island National Park is connected to the main island of St Lucia by a manmade causeway; it takes around 20 minutes to reach Pigeon Point from Gros Islet on foot.

Come here and you can soak up some of the island’s most interesting stories. For example, it has previous been a military base, as well as a pirate hideout. Among the top places to visit is the ruins of Fort Rodney. As a bonus, once you get to the top of Fort Rodney Hills, you get some really incredible views.

Plus, since it’s so tiny (around 850 m by 400 m), it’s pretty quick to explore. And there are even two pretty beaches you can relax on when you’re not checking out the historical buildings, too.

5) The Pitons
The last attraction on my top five list is the Pitons. These twin peaks form the backdrop of the island – you can see them from almost everywhere – so admiring them is part and parcel of any trip here. That said, I think it’s well worth getting a closer look – especially since they are covered in lush forest.

You’ll find them next to the town of Soufriere, so it’s easy to combine a trip here with visits to the drive-in volcano or the botanical gardens. If you pick a holiday to the Caribbean from Hayes & Jarvis, you can stay in one of several great hotels in Soufriere itself, which is a brilliant choice if these attractions take your fancy.