Your Yorkshire Wedding - Jan/Feb 2018 (Issue 28)

(thebodyholiday.com ), which is regularly voted as the best spa in the Caribbean and therefore offers a plethora of luxurious and pampering treatments, from scrubs and body wraps to deep tissue massage and aromatherapy stone massage. Couples can even learn how to massage each other, a skill that may prove useful in married life! STARLIT NIGHTS In the evening, the place becomes even more tranquil. The ancient saman tree that acts as a centrepiece to the gardens is lit with festoon lights and chandeliers, creating an enchanting atmosphere; one evening was spent underneath its boughs enjoying cocktails accompanied by the sound of a live steel pan. Bubbly Hour was one of the highlights of each day for me. Held in The Champagne Bar, I soon got used to dressing up in my finery and sipping Marilyn Monroe’s favourite champagne with a pianist tinkling in the background before dinner! After champagne tasting it was time to head to one of the three on-site restaurants. The Terrace is a delicious buffet-style restaurant at the heart of the resort; I loved the Caribbean-themed night here, which included an array of authentic local delicacies such as fresh lobster, fried plantain and callaloo soup followed by rum tasting. I enjoyed the local tipple a little too much and was soon up dancing with the band alongside a happy couple who’d tied the knot on the beach that day! Malabar Beach Club is an absolute must; opened in 2015 it’s the newest on-site restaurant and offers an intimate dining experience at the water’s edge. Shoes are left at the door while you enjoy a toes-in-the-sand experience with fresh regional produce and fantastic wines. The Trysting Place offers fine cuisine, perfect for special occasions. The best French and Caribbean dishes and wines are on offer, paired by its fabulously enthusiastic sommelier, Libby. TAILOR MADE The lovely Sandra and Tamara are on-hand to book completely tailor-made experiences to make your stay unforgettable. Nothing is too much trouble. Fancy a secluded candlelit dinner on the beach? How about a tour of a local rum distillery or learning how to samba on your honeymoon? All of this can be arranged for you, either while you’re there or through the resort’s new online chat service, which allows you to create a bespoke holiday before you even start packing. THE FOODIE’S CHOICE The Farm to Table experience saw me accompany the resort’s chef to the local market in the capital city of Castries. While there, he talked me through all the produce on offer and we picked out ingredients for my dinner that night. I loved the hustle and bustle of the market, so far removed from my normal supermarket shop. I even enjoyed a fresh coconut – although I was quite alarmed when the vendor pulled out a machete to chop the top off! Back at the resort, I headed to the Malabar Beach Club kitchen, where the expert team showed me how to prepare the items I’d chosen and they designed a menu based on my requirements – as a vegetarian I’m not the easiest dinner guest. That evening I had the most delicious meal cooked right in front of me by the chef with the sound of the waves crashing behind me. THE ADVENTURER’S CHOICE A group of us took the opportunity to hop into an open-top adventure truck and weave our way through the lush rainforest across the island to the Piton Nature Trail. Our guide and his dog walked us through the leafy canopy up to one of the most stunning vistas I’ve ever witnessed. The bright, lush green of the Piton Mountains soaring up from the crystal-blue waters below was awe-inspiring and it was almost hard to believe it was real. We then drove to a natural sulphuric spring; the detoxifying properties of the mud here is said to remove years of damage from your skin. Even Oprah has covered herself in the unpleasant-smelling gunk here! Once the mud had set we jumped into a 38-degree celsius spring-water pool, which was a very bizarre sensation in such a hot climate! To cool down, we headed to a secluded part of the forest where I realised a lifelong dream to swim under the ice-cold flow of a waterfall set in a tropical oasis. Next stop was a short trek through the rainforest to New Jerusalem Mineral Spa. As the only people there, it was a completely relaxing experience. There were three natural pools of mineral-rich waters of varying temperatures set deep in the forest surrounded by banana trees and an abundance of vibrant plants, with hummingbirds and the croak of tree frogs to keep us company. While sitting there, I knew it’d feel like a distant dream when sat back at my desk a couple of days later. THE HISTORY LOVER’S CHOICE We got in the adventure truck again, this time to Pigeon Island, an islet on the northern tip of St Lucia, which was once home to army barracks from when it was being fought over by the French and English. Our fantastic guide, Kenzie, gave us a fascinating tour and bought to life tales of the past as we trekked to the top of Signal Point, the highest peak on the island. I don’t think I’ve ever been so hot in my life, but the views (and breeze!) at the top were more than worth it. THE ROMANTIC’S CHOICE I couldn’t recommend the private dining options at Rendezvous enough. We were led down a little path to a private area in the river garden and the setting was magical. Lit by torches and candles and surrounded by tropical vegetation, it didn’t feel as though you were within a holiday destination. There were two waiting staff and a personal sommelier who paired our wines to perfection while also being full of expert knowledge and funny stories. The Caribbean heat was getting a little much after our first two courses, so we had a little paddle in the lazy river – a truly memorable experience. Hannah’s must-dos For more information on Rendezvous Resort, St Lucia head to the website, theromanticholiday.com or call 0203 096 1606 95 HONEYMOONS