Villageholiday – St. Lucia

If you’re looking for a cool holiday away soon then heading for St.LuciaJazz Festival may be a great idea.
St Lucia Jazz Festival is here again with a super exciting line up that gets better every year.
Talk about Lionel Richie! Ziggy Marley! Keri Hilson! Just part of the line up for this year’s extravaganza. St Lucia Jazz Festival is set to kick off on April 30th and run through to 13th May. What started way back in 1991 as a marketing tool for boosting the tourism industry in St Lucia has evolved as one of the Eastern Caribbean’s main event on its entertainment calendar.
Over the years St Lucia jazz festival has attracted big names like Chaka Khan, UB40, John Legend, Rhiana, Kassav, Pattie Labelle, Luther Vandross, Santana, Kenny G, our home grown Ronald Boo Hinkson and many more. This is the time of the year when a global audience converges on this very beautiful green Island of St Lucia. St Lucia Jazz festival presents a diverse range of rhythms that includes, Jazz, Caribbean music (Zook – Candace), French and Latin music, R&B and reggae.
Organizers of St Lucia Jazz have rightly taken the bold step of revamping the festival in terms of some changes in venue that include bringing it out into the local community. That move is sure to add an extra flavor to your Jazz holiday while presenting much needed commercial opportunity for the small local businesses.  St Lucia Jazz Festival is internationally acclaimed and has outlived every other event in the Caribbean. The event is sure to continue to attract audiences from every corner of the globe because it has lived up to all expectations and has truly become an international affair. A great opportunity for a holiday to St.Lucia.

Gear Up for St.LuciaJazz 2012
Usually, St Lucia Jazz is conducted in a casual relaxed atmosphere. Therefore you should be thinking of clothing that is comfortable, airy and trendy. Dresses are absolutely an option, but stick to relaxed -fitted summer- type dresses. Ordinarily, shows are usually long, so being comfortable for extended period of time is of utmost importance. Always remember the shoes! You can not enjoy the show in uncomfortable shoes. Leave your stilettos and three- plus -inch heels home and pack on those absolutely hot sandals and cute flats. These days ,the choices are endless- from stylish and customized flip flops to cute jeweled flats.

only in size 6(UK) / 8(US) / 39(Continental)

only in size 7(UK) / 9(US) /40(Continental)

only in size 5(UK)/ 7(US)/ 38 (Continental)

You should also take it into consideration that the weather can be rather chilly, especially at nights, so do not forget a sweater or cropped jacket. Cropped jackets and blazers are currently in and there are some snazzy ones available.

If you are having trouble figuring out what to wear, visit Villageholiday and let your accessories be your guide.

On February 22nd 2012 the beautiful Island of St.Lucia situated in the Eastern Caribbean will be celebrating its 33rd year of independence…A well deserved National Holiday.

St Lucia was first inhabited by the Arawaks who were known to be of South American origin and were first described by the Spanish as docile but prehistoric people. The Caribs who arrived on the Island, also from the northern coast of South America were fearsome and not only did they contribute to the decline in population of the Arawaks, the invading Europeans soon learned of the Caribs ferocity in battle as they attempted to colonize St Lucia.

Christopher Columbus first arrived on the Island of St Lucia in 1492 and during the 17th century the French, British and Dutch tried to establish themselves on the Island for trading purposes. The French were the first Europeans to settle in St Lucia in 1643 but the British later put claim to the Island in 1664 when the first battle was fought and the French were defeated. The French returned to St Lucia in 1666 to reclaim the Island, and thereafter, because of its strategic location St Lucia was traded between the French and the British for a total of 17 times. During the final and fierce battle for St Lucia in 1796, Castries which is now the capital city and is situated in the north of St Lucia was destroyed by fire. The British won that battle in 1803 but in 1814 St Lucia finally remained in the hands of the British.

In more recent times, the 20th century, while St Lucia self governed, responsibility in the areas of defense and foreign affairs remained in the hands of the British. St Lucia gained its independence from the British in 1979 but has continued to recognize the Queen of England as the head of state. The Queen is represented by the Govenor General, Dame Pearlet Louisy and the Island has remained part of the British Commonwealth. St Lucia is a very stable democracy and it is governed on the model of the British Parliamentary system.

The celebration of St Lucia Independence day begins with religious services around the Island because of its predominantly Catholic population, and is followed throughout the day by a number of cultural activities.

St.Lucia is known as the Helen of the West Indies and it has retained its natural beauty full of greenery; The ultimate Caribbean holiday destination.

There are quite a few destinations over the world that attract visitors. With their popularity however, comes the fortune, and for persons who are trying to cut costs ,these locations are out of reach. Despite saving for their retirement such places may still remain a dream. Destinations such as England where people flock to see the ever famous monuments are all wonderful…then again even the smallest form of entertainment is costly.

This does not have to stop you from traveling oversees! Paying a visit to the other destinations that tend to be skipped under the radar provides you the opportunity to explore other parts of the world. You are still able to enjoy beauty, whether it be man made or the magnificent work of nature, all while saving some money. Paying a visit to St.Lucia, a luscious tropical island in the Caribbean, is definitely a destination worth exploring without costing you a fortune.

A trip to the Caribbean may seem expensive, but with the increase in air traffic by several airlines from all major continents, there are plenty of deals available online. Flying during the off seasons is also a plus since air fares tend to be at its lowest. The hotels and resorts are much cheaper than the average north American hotels and the are generally well maintained and offer a choice of amenities. You can find a hotel for a little as US$30 a night!
As with anything, it depends on what you want from your holiday. In the case that you really want to travel overseas, it is well worth it to check out the island of St.Lucia. There is always something to see and you’ll save a lot of money at the end.

World wide, it is generally considered by young persons that going on a low budget trip to inexpensive vacation spots an art form. Over the years, more and more persons are rising to the challenge searching for the best vacation possible on a small budget.

In as much as sourcing out cheap vacation spots for spring break is geared at getting much fun as possible for less, the true art of applying such principles is only limited by one’s willingness to be imaginative and not being driven by the idea that in order to have fun ,there needs to be luxury.

The true essence of being on holidays is to get away from the daily grind of work and responsibilities. So having your mind focused on issues which gets you worried is the least close thing to relaxing!

Simply drop an email to Villageholiday and tell us how much you want to spend and we can package a cool vacation you are sure to love at an attractive price. You may also want to check out some of our pre-packaged budget vacation deals for some really awesome ideas for an inexpensive vacation- mountain biking, horseback riding, bird watching, snorkeling and many more activities!

Need to save money on your next vacation? We have complied some insiders tips to finding the best deals on accommodations for your holidays.

Searching for an ideal place to stay for your vacation can be one of the most frustrating things to do. Regardless of how simple your criteria may be, the choices are endless and overwhelming. As a result, huge companies are there to take your money, for what is, most of the time, substandard accommodations. How often have you upon arrival ,has had the urge to kick yourself for not choosing a better rated property? Or, perhaps you booked a private home which was a Vacation Rental By Owner and experienced the most horrific customer service ever? This is how you get great service from a real company with the best prices ever.

1. Consider Locally

First order of business, forget the big guys. If you are given any literature on the property or if you’re surfing the net, you are almost always guaranteed that the picture that you see is not going to be the room that you are actually going to stay in. Get out and mingle with the locals, they’re a great source of information. They have the vast knowledge that you will need of where to stay and what to do. Not only will they help you out, they will go the extra mile to please you.

2. Ask for Recommendations

Inform the local management company about who else is accompanying you, travelling dates and your requirements for accommodation. Ask them for suggestions as to what they would recommend. Most of the time, local property managers can customize a package to meet your requirements which saves you money and hours of surfing through thousands of listings on the internet.

3. Search for Discounts

Most local companies advertise on a small budget. Therefore the most likely medium would be sites such as Villageholiday and other free classifieds. Most of the times, such outlets are utilized by property managers to advertise specials, specifically targeting potential guest shopping for a great deal.

Just as the golden rule says it-”… ask and you shall find”. As with anything, finding a place to stay at a bargain price is very much possible. Visit Villageholiday for holiday deals and several options for your budget friendly accommodation. Submit your enquiries.

St.Lucia is the perfect destination for persons looking to experience culture, history and natural scenery on the vacation.

St.Lucia has been well-known for rich it’s biodiversity and natural scenery. You may decide to take a walk along some of the many trails running through the rain forest- the Des Cartiers Rain forest, Enbas Saut Falls Trail and for those who prefer something light, you could try the Barre De L’isle Trail. If you are lucky, you might actually be able to see the Amazona Versicolor-St.Lucia’s National Bird! There are several other options to chose from when exploring the island’s natural beauty-horseback riding, cycling, or for a little less exercise, a drive on an all terrain vehicle. The island offers some stunning beaches and a sun-kissed weather, as you may well expect- but there’s more to St.Lucia than the undeniable need to just relax on the beach and perhaps get that perfect tan.

The island boasts a rich history reflected in it’s colonial architecture. This is evident in the city of Castries, the town of Soufriere, but particularly in the rural areas- Laborie Village, Choiseul Village, Fond Assau to name a few.

To the north of the island, Pigeon Island offers quite a lot for those interested in history . Pigeon Island as the name suggest ,was in time past an “island”. In the 1970′s the island was artificially joined to the mainland by means of a causeway built from dirt which was excavated during the construction of the Rodney Bay Marina. Pigeon Island was once home to the Arawaks and then the Caribs.Later on it became a base for a French pirate, Francois le Clerc and even further down the lines, taken over by Admiral George Rodney, who built a fort on the smaller of the two peaks on the island. Over the years other structures were built including two barracks, mess hall and a lime vat.

The annual St.Lucia Carnival is a must see for any vacationer to the island. It is quite a sight to see, the colorful costumes, the parades and even the food and drinks !

When it comes to nightlife, the locals regularly hold weekend parties which is a great time to sample authentic St.Lucian cuisine and if you’re up to it, learn a few dance moves!

Your trip to St.Lucia is a worthwhile one, and the experience memorable. Villageholiday can provide you with customized and economical holiday packages .

It is quite easy to go over budget when you’re on vacation. Most of the times , when you look back and retrace your spendings throughout your vacation, you would realize that it’s the little things that really add up.
Therefore packing smart would be the ideal thing to do to avoid all those small expenses adding up.
Most likely you will be in a place which is touristic, so prices would be much more than what you would pay at home!
If you have decided on sunny break vacation, here are a few essentials to carry along with you.

• Sun screen and after sun lotion- such small items. It’s quite easy to say “we’ll just get some when we get there”. Then again, if such creams are expensive enough as it is, let alone with tourist tax added!
• Water bottles- Carry along a good size, good quality BPA free plastic or stainless steel canteen for everyone who’s travelling along with you. A good practice would be to have them filled everyday before leaving, to reduce the need to purchase bottle water.
• 3G Enabled Phone(if you have one)- Do some research beforehand to see what fees you will incur but if you can set up a good deal before you go to ensure you have online capabilities it could actually save you cash. Having access to instant restaurant reviews, maps and locations of local services can save you from being ripped off!
• Area Guides- If you are not able to get access to the internet, then making use of an area guide( a recent one) could be an asset. I cannot stress on the point of how much of a life and pocket saver trip advisor has been.
• Swimming wear- Do not forget your swim wear! It is often overlooked but can be REALLY expensive at the hotels and tourist shops.

You also want to make sure that the vacation itself fits into your budget. Check out these budget friendly vacation packages for a wallet friendly vacation.

Holidays are meant to be memorable. One of the cost effective ways of cherishing such memories is by bringing home plenty of unique mementos. If you’re looking for souvenirs to bring back from your family holidays, St. Lucia has the perfect items that will keep you reminiscing on that holiday forever. From trinkets, to accessories to small home gadgets, you will find a wide range of souvenirs to take home with you.

Key Rings
At first look a key ring is a pretty simple thing – a ring made of metal or some sort of plastic to hold keys. But it is also a fashionable accessory. It can be made in different styles and have many different and interesting kinds of key fobs. Key rings are not only a fashionable accessory but it can also be educational. It can provide you with information on historic monuments ,local sites, etc.

Fridge Magnets
While fridge magnets are primarily being used as ornaments for a refrigerator, starting a collection of souvenir Fridge magnets can become a family pass time and educational for the kids. With a unique choice of fridge magnets from Villageholiday your children can be educated on various aspects of the island of St. Lucia. This could now be your start off point to transforming your refrigerator to a fun travel map. Purchase unique magnets which represent each country you’ve visited and on your return home, have your kids map it on your travel map.

Flip Flops
Whilst you can certainly remember the unusual color of the water flowing from the Sulphur Springs, the ever so unusual scent, we guarantee that this is something you can only experience here. Take a piece of this experience with you where ever you go with customized flip flops. Share this experience with other family members who were not able to be here!

For souvenirs to bring back from your family holidays, Villageholiday has an abundance of authentic goods that will not only brighten up your home, but will remind you of what a fantastic holiday you had every time you look at them. Don’t forget to save some money to go shopping for souvenirs at the end of your trip to St. Lucia!

On a day to day basis, we are constantly being made aware of and are in contact with various quarters of civilization/settlements that was quite difficult to get to in the past.

International travel has grown and expanded and is being made easier everyday,yet, there still remains that degree of difficulty that restrains us. Also,with the rising of terrorism affecting travel, especially aviation, the idea of traveling can suddenly become a tragic incident. The question therefore stands, What should we do to avoid running into an unpleasant surprise?
You have probably been planning your vacation for some months now. Despite the problems faced by some places, visitors will always come to their place. This all has to do with one’s interpretation of what is existing and how they view the world. If you are one of those persons who’s fascinated by the diversities of a place and just has the “travel bug”, then following these simple travel safety tips will help you avoid potential problems while overseas.

1. Educate yourself on the language and culture of the place you are planning to visit.
○ Learn key phrases. They can be useful in times of emergency
○ Be aware of local customs and traditions/gestures. It could be quite an unpleasant scene when you make a gesture and it’s misinterpreted.

2. Be vigilant when choosing your hotel.
○ Avoid hotels that are really cheap. If the rates are just out of this world,…then perhaps they are. So search for a reasonably priced accommodation in a popular area. Once you have check in, keep your doors locked at all times. Also do not open the door without identifying the person knocking first. You should also be aware of the nearest fire escape, as well as knowing how to turn on the alarm system if necessary. Should you see anything irregular, make sure you file a complaint at the reception desk.

3. Arrange a Shuttle Service in advance of your arrival.
○ By doing so you avoid possible scams at local airports and stations. Find a trusted transport agency and stick to it throughout your trip. You can also avoid communication problems with drivers that only speak the local language.
○ If you decide to rent a car instead, then carry a map along at all times. Simple driving safety rules also apply: do not give lifts to strangers; keep the car doors locked at all times; turn on the air conditioning and close the windows as well. If you get lost, find a populated area to ask for directions. And keep the gas tank at least half full at all times.

4. Blend In
○ Do not stand out of the crowd; without being too friendly with persons you’ve just met.Wear light jewelery. Keep all your valuables home. Refrain from sharing travel plans with strangers. Be vigilant when accepting food or drinks from persons you meet, since these might contain drugs or sedatives.

Applying these simply rules will be a help to you having lots of fun overseas and coming back home safe.

Every year ,one on of the must attended events by visitors to the island of St. Lucia is the Jazz Festival.

It has become one of the major events on St. Lucia’s Calendar of events and also the most anticipated event on the Caribbean’s calendar.
St. Lucia Jazz is normally hosted in the month of May and it is during this time that the islanders and patrons are treated to an international flare of artists. During this month, locals embrace the music of jazz as it fills the air and tourism takes on a whole new meaning to all. What at first began as a marketing tool to maintain a steady stream of visitor arrivals to the island during the “off season” has now developed into a truly St.lucian Festival. As the month of May approaches each year, Saint Lucia Jazz continues to draw attention to Saint Lucia as the world waits in eager anticipation of what promises to be a star studded line-up. In 1999, Saint Lucia Jazz took on a new dimension with the addition of more side attractions, i.e. supporting jazz performances aside from main stage events. This created a more festive atmosphere and allowed the Saint Lucian public and visitors to participate in these events at little cost and quite a few free events as well. “Jazz in the South” with shows being in the village of Laborie and the towns of Vieux Fort and Soufriere all contribute towards making Saint Lucia Jazz a truly Saint Lucian experience for visitors and locals alike. The Jazz festival has many different types of artist with the focus on jazz and its offshoots, such as new age jazz and r & b (rhythm and blues). It is here you will find world renowned acts who hail from North America, Europe, Africa, the Caribbean and Latin America. Each artiste brings something unique to the festival, but they all serve one purpose and that is to bring joy and entertainment to the patrons.
Finding the perfect place to stay to experience all it’s Events including the St. Lucia Jazz festival, has been made a very simple task, as there are many cheap places to stay in St. Lucia.