Saint Lucia: the Pitons, Soufrière and the Rainforest, 5 Nights

Most long-haul flights land at the international airport near Vieux Fort in the far south, and your driver meets you there; the length of the drive to the hotel depends on where on the island you stay. The road winds through banana plantations and small villages, with glimpses of the sea around every bend. Settle in, swim, and watch the first sunset.

A guided day through the south and west of the island. The road passes the fishing villages of Laborie and Choiseul, colourful boats pulled up on the sand, before dropping into Soufrière, the old French capital, beneath the Pitons. Visit the Sulphur Springs, a steaming volcanic crater with warm mud baths said to soften the skin, and the Diamond Botanical Gardens, with a mineral-stained waterfall. Taste local rum and cassava bread along the way.

Nothing is booked. Spend the day on the beach, or add a trip from the island: Pigeon Island, a national landmark with the ruins of an old British fort and views over Rodney Bay, makes an easy half day, while Marigot Bay, a deep, palm-fringed inlet on the west coast, is lovely for lunch. We can arrange snorkelling, a catamaran trip or a spa afternoon at extra cost.

A day in the green heart of the island. The tour drives into a forest reserve in the north where an open gondola-style tram climbs slowly through the canopy, eye-level with bromeliads, ferns and birds. At the top, harness up for a zipline circuit through the trees, then walk forest trails with a naturalist who explains the plants and wildlife. Wear closed shoes and clothes you do not mind getting muddy.

A second free day. Many travellers use it for the sea: a sunset cruise along the west coast, or a boat trip to look for dolphins and whales, both of which we can arrange at extra cost. Others rest by the water, or climb the lower slopes of the Tet Paul nature trail for a close view of the Pitons. On Friday nights the street party at Gros Islet is usually a lively local scene.

Breakfast and a final swim, then check out. Your driver takes you back to the airport; allow time for the winding island roads, as distances are short but journeys are slow. Cocoa, spices and local hot sauce make good souvenirs, and the island's chocolate, grown on its own estates, is increasingly well known.