One of my favourite Caribbean destinations is St Lucia! Lovely St Lucia with her miles of sandy beaches, banana plantations and of course the iconic Pitons. St Lucia is a bit like Hawaii - lush and green - but with a strong Caribbean culture. It’s the only Caribbean island to be named for a woman.

We had a fabulous holiday there a few years ago and my daughters are always asking to go back. With lockdown, that's not possible at the moment - but we can recreate the holiday ourselves, at home, and make new Caribbean memories.

Below are my suggestions for having a St Lucian-themed day at home!

1. Start the Day with Yoga and Meditation

Let local yoga expert Monique Devaux guide you through stretching amid breath-taking views of the world-famous Pitons.

Then merge mind and body with a guided meditation with Janelle (@yogawithja on Instagram) on the sandy beaches of St Lucia. Close your eyes and imagine the calm breeze of the Caribbean Sea awakening your senses!

2. Make Your Own St Lucian Cocoa Tea

Though called tea, cocoa tea is actually a spicy hot chocolate made with grated cocoa stick, hot milk and spices. If you have been to St Lucia you have probably visited a chocolate plantation and been tempted to purchase a cocoa stick (the main ingredient for cocoa tea). Watch this tutorial to get you started or check out this recipe.

If you don’t have a cocoa stick, substitute cocoa nibs instead. Or if you want to be really cheeky, add cinnamon and vanilla to hot chocolate for a similar tasting beverage.

3. Indulge in a St Lucian Breakfast

One of my favourite things about a St Lucian holiday is the long leisurely breakfasts. You can recreate that feeling at home with your own buffet. Many of the UK’s mangos and bananas come from St Lucia and are easy to find in grocery stores. You can also make banana bread or banana pancakes. Or both!

4. Get Fit with Socacize Aerobics

Soca music is a combination of soul and calypso that originated in the Caribbean. The music and dance moves in this video make for a fun aerobic exercise you can do with the whole family!

5. Calm Yourself with Colouring

Download this free Colour Me Calm colouring book. The book features peaceful, Caribbean-inspired views by award-winning illustrator Adam Stower and offers simple mindfulness techniques by psychotherapist Dr Nicole Gehl. 

6. Nice Day? Sunbathe!

If it’s a nice day, go outside with your sun hats, colourful beach towels and sun cream (the smell of sun cream has a magical way of transporting you to a beach). Have a spray water spray bottle at the ready - it’s a good alternative to spray from the ocean.

7. Spa Day with Mud Masks

If the weather is not so nice opt to have a spa experience. The next best thing to immersing yourself in the Soufrieres mud baths is to don mud masks! Okay, it’s not quite the same thing, but your skin will feel just as soft.

8. Plait Your Hair

Many a tourist comes home from St Lucia with the best souvenir of all – cornrow plaits! While a full head can take hours, try three or four tiny rows on one side of your head instead. 

9. Escape to St Lucia Via a Podcast

Close your eyes and listen to a new podcast about St Lucia. 

10. Play Some Beach Volleyball

Get active and play beach volleyball. We improvised with a badminton net and yoga ball. If you are really energetic you can organise a tournament - or just hit some balls around.

11. Time for Mocktails!

The girls’ favourite mocktail at St James’s Club in St Lucia was called “Pink Lady” (a combination of ice, coconut crème, milk and grenadine). Here are some other mocktail recipe ideas. 

Adults though can indulge in full-strength cocktails. Nothing makes you feel like you are in St Lucia more than a rum punch. Try this authentic recipe.

12. Create Some Friday Night Fish Fry Vibes

Every Friday night in St Lucia is “fish fry” day, where locals and tourists come together for a street party and eat street food. An absolute must is roasted corn on the cob. Serve this with grilled chicken or fish and a roasted red pepper sauce. Get some inspiration from Saint Lucian chef Shorne Benjamin (@chefshorne on Instagram) from this virtual cooking class. 

You could also try traditional saltfish stew or, if you have a veggie in the house, make red beans and rice. Don’t forget the Baron Hot Sauce!

13. End the Day Dancing

All good things have to come to an end, but a DJ party will keep your holiday at home going into the night. This playlist has lots of local soca music you will enjoy.

I hope you enjoyed my list! We had fun trying it all out and are looking forward to when it is safe to travel again!