Tucked away in the sun-soaked Caribbean, St Lucia is considered by many to be a tropical paradise, which offers holidaymakers a retreat from the hustle and bustle of modern life.

Despite its growing popularity over recent years, St Lucia has managed to maintain its laid back sense of being and remains one of the Caribbean's most fashionable and unaffected holiday retreats.

It is a British Commonwealth island, which is located off the coast of North America just above Trinidad and Tobago.

St Lucia gained independence from the UK on February 22nd 1979 and this day is a national holiday each year, which is celebrated in style across the island.

Traditions and culture in St Lucia

The nation is 90 per cent Catholic and so when entering places of worship visitors should observe the traditions of this particular faith. This means women should cover their shoulders and men should avoid wearing shorts.

St Lucia, however, is not too much of a culture shock for Brits, as a large number of holidaymakers from this nation travel to the Caribbean island each year.

Furthermore, the country's French and British colonial influences are still present, giving holidaymakers a slight home-from-home feel.

But what the people of St Lucia are best known for is their hospitality and friendliness, which never fails to welcome holidaymakers.

Recommended in St Lucia

Most holidaymakers who head to St Lucia do so for the sunshine and golden beaches. Furthermore, its volcanic landscapes and lush rainforests make for excellent exploring ground.

However, for those who like a more structured experience based around a check-list of attractions, top of that itinerary has to be Malgretout Waterfall.

Located just south of Soufriere, Malgretout is a mineral waterfall and featuring a quiet beach, which boasts warms volcanic waters. It is considered by many as a good alternative to the more commercialised waterfall at Diamond Botanical Gardens.

Another must-see is Pigeon Island National Park, which features an old fortress and barracks as well as picturesque grounds boasting the iconic banana trees, which St Lucia is famed for.

Holidaymakers would also be well-advised to head to the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, which was built in 1897.

The cathedral is a prime example of some of the island's African architectural influences and the decoration of its interior chronicles a series of biblical scenes.

For those who want an in-depth account of the island, picking up a holiday guide could be a good idea.

Weather in St Lucia

St Lucia boasts favourable temperatures throughout the year, although between June and late October it is hurricane season. Summer is June to July, when temperatures can reach 29 degrees Celsius. Winter falls between November and January when temperatures can drop to 20 degrees Celsius.

Its year-round sunshine makes St Lucia the ideal spot for those taking last minute holidays.

Destination checklist for St Lucia

The official currency is the East Caribbean Dollar. Cheaper flights to the nation are available if booked in advance.

St Lucia is four hours behind GMT and uses the international dialling code +758.