Going Places: Taste of the Caribbean (Part I)

BY LIZ FLEMING

Planning a Caribbean getaway this year, but overwhelmed by the range of choices?  If you've never traveled in the islands, and are faced with a sheaf of brochures or a maddeningly broad selection of websites, you'll enjoy this two-part taster, designed to give you a peek into what's hot in some of the most popular spots.  A beach is a beach, after all but what makes a vacation memorable is what you do when you step off the sand.

What's great about Grenada?

Family adventure is nothing if not wet and wild in the otherwise quiet island of Grenada. One of the coolest attractions is the river-tubing ride in the Balthazar Estate, just a 45-minute drive from the capital city of St. George's.

Without doubt the least Disney-ish water ride you'll ever try (this makes the biggest, steepest waterslide at Canada's Wonderland seem foolishly tame!). Adventure River Tubing involves a helmet, a lifejacket, a wooden-bottomed tube and a hilariously charming group of young men with nicknames like Shakespeare and Dr. Love. 

Stationed all along the completely natural, twisty river course, your Grenadian fun-makers will be there to make sure that you and your tube miss most (!) of the rocks as you splash and crash your way through the shallow water.

 When you reach one of the quiet pools along the river, a quick cannon-ball competition might break out.  See just how big a splash you can make as you compete with your new Grenadian buddies.
Visit www.grenadagrenadines.com .

St. Lucia is luscious

This beautiful, volcanic (dormant!) island of St. Lucia offers the incredibly enticing combination of some of the highest mountains in the Caribbean and some of its most beautiful beaches.  Imagine hitting a big high in the morning and then lying in the sand, bragging about your accomplishments over a couple of rum punches that afternoon. 

Serious climbers will be challenged by the Gros and Petit Pitons (800 meters and 750 meters or 2,619 and 2,460 ft. respectively), but you need to be aware that both require official permission, significant climbing experience and proper equipment.

If your aspirations are somewhat more modest, you and the rest of your day-tripping family might be happiest if you choose to hike the 19,000 acres and 29 miles of rainforest trails in the mountainous interior of St. Lucia, where peaks reach 1,800 ft above sea level.  There's certainly enough height there to give you bragging rights afterwards, but adventurers of all ages and abilities easily manage the terrain. 

If a little more adventure is called for, book an afternoon of parasailing or windsurfing, take the gang zip-lining in the rainforest canopy or go jungle biking.  You'll find groomed trails that take you through lush rainforests, past an 18th century sugar mill and into stately plantation grounds.
 
Visit www.stlucia.org .