Welcome to Your 2025 In Books

Arts & Culture, Books

Discover EntertainmentThe Life of Herod the Great by Zora Neale Hurston and Deborah G. Plant (Amistad, January 7)Now 20% OffIn the 1950s, Zora Neale Hurston (Their Eyes Were Watching God) spent many years writing a historical novel about the biblical King Herod as follow-up to her 1939 book, Moses, Man of the Mountain. When Hurston died in 1960, the manuscript remained unpublished and was almost destroyed in a fire. But Plant, a Hurston scholar, painstakingly combed through the surviving singed and smoke-stained pages to bring The Life of Herod the Great to readers for the first time. The result is a stunning and layered work of imagination and scholarship.Y2K by Colette Shade (Dey Street, January 7)Now 19% OffFellow millennials, did you close your eyes and wince a little when the ball dropped on New Year’s Eve in 1999? No? Just me? Like Chuck Klosterman’s The Nineties, Shade’s clear-eyed look back at the 2000s has everything you remember: technology that was actually fun to use, Starbucks that felt luxurious, and the constant existential anxiety from 9/11, the War on Terror, and the Great Recession. Y2K is an artisanal blend of nostalgia and analysis that helps us understand the decade that still defines contemporary culture.Advertisement – Continue Reading BelowSave Our Souls: The True Story of a Castaway Family, Treachery, and MurderNow 22% OffI’m a sucker for Big Boat Books like David Grann’s The Wager and Erik Larson’s Dead Wake, so Matthew Pearl’s (The Taking of Jemima Boone) new work of narrative nonfiction is right up my slipway. In the winter of 1887, an entire family of five, their dog, and two dozen crew members disappeared when their shark fishing boat was blown off course by a storm near Hawaii. What follows is a much darker version of Swiss Family Robinson when the shipwreck survivors encounter a stranded psychopath.We Lived on the Horizon by Erika Swyler (Atria Books, January 14)In 2025, we’re already living in an era when the proliferation of AI can make it impossible to determine what’s real. How much worse could that get a few decades or centuries from now? Erika Swyler’s (The Book of Speculation) fourth book is a timely science fiction novel set in Bulwark, a walled city that’s governed by AI. A woman named Enita, one of Bulwark’s upper-class “saints” thanks to the sacrifices her direct ancestors made to found the city, is drawn into a murder mystery after one of her fellow saints is killed and the city’s AI erases the death from history. It’s a haunting, suspenseful, and nuanced look at the future we may already be barreling toward.Advertisement – Continue Reading BelowDengue Boy by Michel Nieva, translated by Rahul Bery (Astra House, February 4)This psychedelic fever dream is set in Argentina around the turn of the 23rd century, where the melting ice caps have completely reshaped South America. While the wealthy 0.1 percent invest in new viruses and escape the worst effects of climate change on roaming cruise ships, the sweltering “Caribbean Pampas” gives birth to a human-mosquito hybrid who may have the power to change the status quo. Dengue Boy is Nieva’s English-language debut, extrapolated from a shocking short story that won the O. Henry Award in 2022.Original Sins by Eve L. Ewing (One World, February 11)Chicago’s polymath poet, comic book writer, and sociologist returns with a fascinating and eye-opening look at how American schools have helped build and reinforce an infrastructure of racial inequality. From the Founding Fathers to today’s classrooms, Ewing’s (Ghosts in the Schoolyard) brilliant research and analysis of our two-track school systems, written in her signature bracing prose, is a must-read for every American parent and educator.Advertisement – Continue Reading BelowDeath Takes Me by Cristina Rivera Garza, translated by Robin Meyers and Sarah Booker (Hogarth, February 25)Cristina Rivera Garza’s writing rewires your brain, summoning the ghosts of vivid emotions you’d forgotten you could even feel. Every new translation of Rivera Garza (The Taiga Syndrome) is a literary event on the scale of Roberto Bolaño and Clarice Lispector’s posthumous English publications, and her new meta-thriller, Death Takes Me, is no exception. When a professor named Cristina Rivera Garza stumbles upon a dead body, she helps a detective on the hunt for a serial killer who scrawls poetry near the corpses of his victims.The Dream Hotel by Laila Lalami (Pantheon, March 4)Lalami’s (The Other Americans) new novel has one of the best high-concept hooks of the year: a museum archivist is abducted by federal agents and taken to a detention center for observation after an algorithm predicts she will murder her husband in the near-future. During her monthslong stay in the facility, her dreams are monitored for evidence of homicidal intent. It feels like a mix between Steven Spielberg’s Minority Report and Wim Wender’s Until the End of the World, written in Lalami’s silky and celebrated prose. Advertisement – Continue Reading BelowThe River Has Roots by Amal El-Mohtar (Tordotcom, March 4)El-Mohtar’s last novel This Is How You Lose the Time War (co-written with Max Gladstone), is one of the only books to ever hit the bestseller lists four years after publication thanks to a viral tweet. Her new book, a concise fantasy adventure called The River Has Roots, is about Esther and Ysabel Hawthorne, two sisters who care for ancient trees in the town of Thistleford, which sits near the borders of Faerie. When one of the sisters gets romantically involved with a Faerie suitor, things take a turn for the worse. El-Mohtar is one of our finest crafters of sentences, and this book features a magic system called Grammar, so The River Has Roots automatically earns a spot on my nightstand. The Antidote by Karen Russell (Knopf, March 11)Now 10% OffWho can forget Karen Russell’s debut novel Swamplandia!, the Florida-set story of alligator wranglers that was a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction back in 2012? Her new novel focuses on the other side of the country, where dust storms and the Great Depression have devastated a small town called Uz, Nebraska, where a “prairie witch” that can receive and preserve your memories, a camera that can see into the past and the future, and a farm that seems to be supernaturally unaffected by the drought.Advertisement – Continue Reading BelowThe Buffalo Hunter Hunter by Stephen Graham Jones (Saga Press, March 18)Now 10% Off“I like to write novels that, to me, are broken at the level of conception, and then see if I can pull it off,” Graham Jones told Esquire two years ago. In Mongrels and The Only Good Indians, he took werewolves and ghost stories in exciting new directions. In the Indian Lake trilogy (My Heart Is a Chainsaw, Don’t Fear the Reaper, and The Angel of Indian Lake), he subverted our expectations for slasher horror. Now, he’s tackling the vampire mythos from a unique point of view: the lost 1912 diary of a Montana priest that records the life of a Blackfoot man named Good Stab.Dissolution by Nicholas Binge (Riverhead Books, March 25)“Binge” is exactly what I did (sorry) over the course of 48 hours with Nicholas’s last novel, Ascension, a suspenseful sci-fi thriller about a mountain that suddenly appears in the Pacific ocean. His new book, Dissolution, is about an elderly woman being interrogated by a stranger about her memories because someone is stealing the memories of her husband. I won’t go further in the plot than that, because putting together what’s happening is one of the novel’s pleasures. Advertisement – Continue Reading BelowWhere the Axe Is Buried by Ray Nayler (MCD, April 1)Nayler’s debut novel The Mountain in the Sea is one of my favorite works of science fiction of the decade so far. Needless to say, I’m anxiously awaiting Where the Axe Is Buried, which sounds like a mix between Apple TV+’s Foundation and Slow Horses adaptations. In the not-too-distant future, the president of the Federation keeps downloading his mind into “a succession of new bodies,” the AI-driven government of Western Europe is working out about as poorly as today’s ChatGPT users would expect, and a team of crack spies and scientists is trying to fight back.Searches: Selfhood in the Digital Age by Vauhini Vara (Pantheon, April 8)Vara wrote one of my favorite novels of the decade so far, The Immortal King Rao, so I’m excited to see her tackle the most controversial technology of that very same decade—the advent of ChatGPT and other LLM-based AI—in a work of nonfiction. A few years ago, Vara asked GPT-3 to co-write stories with her about the death of her sister, and the results went viral. Searches is a book-length exploration of humankind’s relationship with technology at this particularly fraught moment in time.Advertisement – Continue Reading BelowTerrestrial History by Joe Mungo Reed (Norton, April 8)As unlikely as it is in reality, I can’t resist science fiction novels about humanity leaving our celestial cradle for another planet. I also loved the short story Joe Mungo Reed published in Esquire a few years ago—Islanders, about the cost of immortality. In his new book, Terrestrial History, a scientist in Scotland meets a man who claims to be from the future: specifically, a future colony on Mars that he’s here to ensure happens.Audition: A Novel by Katie Kitamura (Riverhead Books, April 8)Now 11% OffKatie Kitamura only writes intense and fascinating novels. Her last two, Intimacies and A Separation, absolutely blew me away with how she uses voice, tone, and a careful attention to detail to build suspense. In Audition, the setup is fairly simple: a woman and a significantly younger man meet for lunch at a restaurant in New York. But figuring out who they really are—and discovering how Kitamura will structure their stories—will make this another addictive puzzle box.Advertisement – Continue Reading BelowMark Twain by Ron Chernow (Penguin Press, May 13)Now 11% OffAfter publishing definitive biographies of Alexander Hamilton, J. P. Morgan, John D. Rockefeller, Ulysses S. Grant, and George Washington (the latter of which made our list of the fifty best biographies of all time), the seventy-five-year-old Pulitzer Prize-winner has turned his sights on the white-haired Bard of the Mississippi. From a birth in Missouri to a death in Connecticut, Chernow’s new 1,200-page doorstopper promises to be the most detailed account of Twain’s life ever published.Metallic Realms by Lincoln Michel (Atria Books, May 13)In addition to having one of my favorite covers of the year, Lincoln Michel’s (The Body Scout) new novel is a brilliant, funny, and pulpy homage to the golden age of science fiction. Set in Brooklyn, it’s about a group of young writers who collaborate on a shared fictional universe called The Star Rot Chronicles, which readers get to glimpse in interstitials between chapters narrated by the writing group’s most deluded member.Advertisement – Continue Reading BelowThe Book of Records by Madeleine Thien (Norton, May 20)When I read the first chapter of Madeleine Thien’s new novel, The Book of Records, I had an intense emotional reaction. After a few more chapters, images from the book began appearing in my dreams at night. Both of these responses are extremely rare for me as a reader, but Thien has written something truly special here. It’s about a father and daughter migrating across the ocean who discover a liminal island where other migrants live in buildings made of time, but the less you know about the story before reading, the better.Katabasis by R. F. Kuang (Harper Voyager, August 26)Kuang’s follow-up to her dark academia masterpiece Babel will probably be the biggest fantasy book release of 2025. Her publicists are comparing Katabasis to “Dante’s Inferno meets Susanna Clarke’s Piranesi,” and her publisher is giving the hardcover release stenciled edges, case effects, and illustrated endpapers—which means they’re confident it’ll be a major hit. All we know about the story is this: When Alice Law’s Cambridge professor of Magick dies, she travels to Hell to get him back.Watch Next Advertisement – Continue Reading BelowAdvertisement – Continue Reading BelowAdvertisement – Continue Reading Below

Key developments in Trump’s legal battles

2024 Election

Since 2019, President Donald Trump has been served six different cases involving non-disclosure payments, classified documents, election subversions and civil fraud. These include the hush money, 2020 election interference, Washington election subversion, Florida classified documents and New York civil fraud cases, which gained significant attention.    Courtesy of Flickr In March 2023, Manhattan District Attorney Alvin…

15-million-year-old insects stun scientists with their unusual traits

Science and Health

Miocene sediments in parts of New Zealand have always hinted at a lively past. Now, new finds in the Hindon Maar Complex suggest that ancient insects may have been more varied than once imagined. Among these specimens, researchers identified a new genus of whitefly, along with the first known psyllid wing fossil from this part of the world. They studied puparia on old leaf fragments and noted fascinating features, including distinct body segments and specialized shapes around the insect’s feeding and breathing areas.Ancient whitefly fossilsThese discoveries broaden what is known about insect life in the region. Middle Miocene rocks, roughly 14.6 million years old, yielded delicate traces of creatures that once moved among ancient plants. “These represent the first fossil records of these sternorrhynchan families (Hemiptera) from New Zealand,” said Dr. J. Drohojowska from the Geology Department, University of Otago. Dr. Drohojowska and the team found the samples in sedimentary layers that had been created by volcanic explosions that shaped small maar lakes in Otago.Naming the new whiteflyThe new species is called Miotetraleurodes novaezelandiae. Its puparia, or final juvenile forms, were still attached to ancient leaves when excavated. This insect measured about 1.5 millimeters in length, had a sturdy outer covering, and sported clear impressions of each body segment. Such definition of distinct segments is not as common in modern whiteflies, which usually show smoother boundaries. The unique structure may help experts compare Miocene whiteflies with contemporary relatives and trace changes in the group’s morphology.Studying psyllid historyThe second discovery involves a psyllid wing. Researchers say it is about 3.6 millimeters long and has vein patterns that match members of the family Psyllidae. In many modern psyllids, wings look fragile and glassy, often with unique breaks or curves near the edges. This fossil wing shares some structural details with species found in Europe today. The team could only classify it down to the family level because the rest of the insect was missing. Still, it represents the first known psyllid from New Zealand’s fossil record, which is a remarkable addition to the nation’s entomological timeline.Roots of New Zealand’s insect faunaBefore these discoveries, local fossils offered limited evidence about how the country’s insect families established themselves over time. In modern New Zealand, sternorrhynchans include small aphids, scale insects, whiteflies, and psyllids. Studies show some groups have only a handful of native species, whereas others, like certain scale insects, have branched into numerous forms. It is widely believed that a big part of New Zealand’s fauna drifted along with landmasses or arrived via oceanic or airborne dispersal. However, actual fossil snapshots help fill gaps and suggest that some insect lineages might have been on the islands for longer than was previously assumed.Possible insect-plant relationshipsFossil leaves uncovered at the Hindon Maar Complex are packed with details about plant-insect interactions. Many of the whitefly puparia were attached to their host leaves in a life position, leaving behind a record that reflects the insects’ feeding style. Plant hosts for these ancient whiteflies remain unidentified, but the presence of multiple puparia on single leaves points to group feeding in certain spots. Such clues open new doors for comparing host choices in early Miocene insects with those of living species in the same family.Whitefly species outside New ZealandResearchers in other parts of the world have explored whitefly and psyllid fossils in places like the Eocene deposits on the Isle of Wight, as well as the Miocene layers in Europe. Comparisons across continents could indicate whether these insects traveled widely or stuck to regional plant communities. In modern settings, whiteflies often cause economic troubles by weakening crop plants, while psyllids transmit diseases in orchards. By analyzing ancient relatives, scientists may be able to see whether similar traits (like feeding preferences) were present millions of years ago.Contributions from the research teamThe fossils of Miotetraleurodes novaezelandiae are housed in the Geology Museum at the University of Otago. The lead investigators used scanning electron microscopy and other techniques to examine the puparia and the single psyllid wing. Each fossil was kept safe in carbonaceous mudstone. This find boosts the number of insect groups described from the Hindon Maar Complex, which already included dragonflies, beetles, and more.What happens next?There is still much to learn from these rocks. Fossil-rich maar sediments hold fish, plant, and insect remains that reveal how New Zealand’s climate and habitats have changed. Some experts think these small lakes, formed by explosive volcanic events, might hide still more families of insects. The interplay between ancient vegetation and invertebrates presents countless angles for new research. As more specimens emerge, they may transform ideas about which lineages survived regional climate shifts and how modern species took shape over time.Implications for modern biodiversityModern-day New Zealand is known for having unique species that are adapted to island life, from flightless birds to specialized insects. Each fossil find, especially one that shows direct plant-insect links, gives specialists another line of data to interpret present-day diversity.The story of how animals reached and thrived in an isolated archipelago is central to island biogeography. Insects like whiteflies and psyllids, which depend on particular plant hosts, can supply insights about ecosystem resilience.The study was published in Palaeobiodiversity and Palaeoenvironments.—–Like what you read? Subscribe to our newsletter for engaging articles, exclusive content, and the latest updates. Check us out on EarthSnap, a free app brought to you by Eric Ralls and Earth.com.—–

It’s Already Different

2024 Election

Listen–1.0x+ 0:006:25 Produced by ElevenLabs and News Over Audio (Noa) using AI narration. Listen to more stories on the Noa app. During Donald Trump’s first term as president, critics used to ask, Can you imagine the outcry if a Democrat had done this? As Trump begins his second, the relevant question is Can you imagine…

Everything Vancouver travellers need to know about visiting Saint Lucia

Travel

Metro Vancouver travellers who love Hawaii should check out tropical island in the Caribbean that boasts similar tropical vistas.

Easily recognizable by its majestic tapered mountain mountains, known as Pitons, Saint Lucia oozes tropical beauty, covered in lush, tropical rainforest and home to breathtaking beaches with sparkling, turquoise waters. 

The Pitons are two volcanic plugs on the island’s southwestern coast: Gros Piton (2,530 feet) and Petit Piton (2,438 feet). The local beer brand, Piton, is named after the iconic landmarks, explains the Saint Lucia Tourism Authority. 

Visitors may wish to hike around the Pitons and check out the local exotic flora and fauna or sail around them to get a view. 

Located in the Eastern Caribbean, the island nation’s closest neighbours include Martinique, Dominica and Guadeloupe, all of which are connected by inter-island ferries. 

The island is also home to a vibrant nightlife scene, with residents and visitors enjoying dancing and live music in local clubs and restaurants. 

Find out everything you need to know about planning a trip from Vancouver to Saint Lucia. 

What airlines should I fly to to Saint Lucia?

Saint Lucia has two airports. Hewanorra International Airport (UVF) is the larger one most flights from Canada and the United States fly into it. George F.L. Charles Airport (SLU) is the second and smallest, serving primarily inter-island travel. 

From Vancouver International Airport (YVR), travellers must take a connecting flight to reach UVF. Some popular stopover spots en route from Vancouver include Toronto, Montreal, Dallas, and Miami.

The lowest-priced tickets on return trips from YVR to UVF start at just under $700. 

Airlines that fly to or partially to Saint Lucia via one of their airline partners include:

Air Canada
American Airlines
Delta
JetBlue
Qatar Airways
United
WestJet

When should I book my ticket to Saint Lucia?

Travellers don’t need to plan their trip to Saint Lucia very far in advance.  

Tickets from YVR to UVF start for under $800 if booked as little as a week in advance. Travellers may still need to be flexible with the outbound and departure dates to get the cheapest option. However, they don’t typically need to book several weeks or months ahead unless they plan to visit during a big holiday. 

When is the best time of year to visit Saint Lucia?

Saint Lucia’s climate is warm and tropical year-round but hurricanes usually occur from mid-May to the end of November.

If you decide to travel to a coastal area during the hurricane season, the Canadian government advises you to do the following: 

Be prepared to change your travel plans on short notice, including cutting short or cancelling your trip
Stay informed of the latest regional weather forecasts
Carry emergency contact information for your airline or tour operator
Follow the advice and instructions of local authorities

The peak season for travellers occurs from December through early March, with drier, more pleasant weather attracting tourists in droves, which drives up ticket and accommodation prices. 

Is it safe to visit Saint Lucia?

The Government of Canada greenlights travellers to visit Saint Lucia, advising them to take normal security precautions when visiting the Eastern Caribbean island. However, some places are seeing increased violence and travellers must exercise caution.

Petty crimes, such as pick-pocketing and purse-snatching, may occur. Credit card scams involving the use of ATMs may also occur. Visitors should cover their PIN when using these machines and be careful when handing their cards over to people. They should also be wary of using machines with “irregular” or “unusual” features.

Violent crime, such as gun violence, has increased over the past year, especially in Vieux Fort, a town located near the southernmost point of Saint Lucia. The government has reported murders, sexual assaults, robberies, and gang-related violence. Travellers are advised to: 

Be aware of their surroundings at all times  
Avoid walking alone after dark 
Avoid isolated areas  
Avoid showing signs of affluence or wearing expensive jewellery  
Avoid carrying large sums of cash or unnecessary valuables 
Stay in accommodations with adequate security measures 
Check with local authorities to determine which beaches are safe 

Canada says 2SLGBTQI+ persons could face discrimination and should “carefully consider the risks of visiting St Lucia.” Saint Lucian law criminalizes sexual acts and relationships between persons of the same sex; they could face a lengthy jail sentence.

They may also be detained based on “their sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or sex characteristics. They could also be detained and face other charges such as cross-dressing , gross indecency , and offence to public morals .

Important considerations in Saint Lucia for tourists to know

Your passport must be valid for at least three months before you expect to leave Saint Lucia.

The Canadian government advises travellers that Saint Lucia regularly experiences water shortages and local authorities may impose water rationing measures. Travellers should keep a sufficient supply of water on hand and monitor local authorities for directions. 

Do I need a visa to visit Saint Lucia?

A tourist visa is not required for stays up to six weeks.

Air travellers are encouraged to fill out the Online Immigration Form before arriving in the country. It may be completed up to three days before arrival.

One form is required per family and a QR code will be sent by email once completed. This QR is shown to authorities on arrival. 

According to the tourism authority, you must have the following information to complete the form: 

Flight Information
Passport details for all family members travelling with you
A photo of the travel documents, more specifically your passport bio page or ID card for Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) citizens only
A valid email address

Do I need to get any special travel vaccines ahead of visiting Saint Lucia?

Visit a travel medical clinic before you book a ticket. The healthcare professionals will inform you about what vaccinations you require and what you can expect on your trip. There are risks of contracting several viruses spread by mosquitoes including Zika and chikungunya.

Pregnant women, or women planning to get pregnant soon, may want to rethink their travel plans. The Canadian government recommends that you wait for two months after visiting Saint Lucia or after the onset of illness due to Zika virus (whichever is longer) before trying to get pregnant. If your male partner travelled with you, wait three months after travel or after the onset of illness.

What kind of activities can I enjoy in Saint Lucia?

Visitors to Saint Lucia can enjoy adrenaline-fuelled activities such as zip-lining through the lush rainforests, riding ATVs through the countryside, and several water sports, such as parasailing and surfing.

Water-based activities are some of the island’s biggest draws, boasting some of the world’s best snorkelling and diving opportunities. People can also rent boats or join sailing tours that visit different areas of the island, with some offering additional activities, such as fishing and snorkelling.

Visitors can also enjoy hiking in Pigeon Island National Park, home to old fort ruins from the 1700s.

What kind of big events and festivals can I enjoy in Saint Lucia?

Independence Day festivities, including calypso shows and parades, draw crowds in February, while travellers plan to visit during the Saint Lucia Jazz and Arts Festival from April 30 to May 11, 2025.

The Caribbean island also has an annual Lucian Carnival for three weeks in May with numerous events such as parades, live bands, dancing, beauty pageants, boat rides, festive brunches, and much more. 

According to the tourism authority, a festival occurs on Aug. 30 called “La Rose.” Saint Lucia’s cultural traditions are divided into two “societies” – the Roses and Marguerites, whose members praise their respective flowers. Each society holds a massive festival or “grande fete” in honour of their respective flower. 

“La Rose” members pledge allegiance to the rose by “dressing in red and creating flamboyant displays made of roses.”

The Marguerites have their Fete La Marguerite on Oct. 17. Their members dress in ” purple and create displays of the Marguerite flower in addition to singing their traditional songs.”

Saint Lucia also runs a month-long Creole Heritage Month in October celebrating music, dance, cuisine, art and other cultural expression that culminates on Oct. 29 with the celebration of Creole Day (Jounen Kweyol).

How much money will I spend on accommodation in Saint Lucia?

Accommodation prices in Saint Lucia vary widely, starting at a modest nightly rate of $78 at the Aupic Paradise Hotel Vieux Fort – located five minutes from the airport – or several rental apartments at roughly the same price point ($70 to $100). 

Travellers looking for a step up can find hotels priced between $150 to $500, including the three-star Marigot Beach Club & Dive Resort with nightly rates starting at $236 or the four-star Bej Jou Hotel with nightly at $401.

At the other end of the spectrum, the island also has several luxury accommodations, including the awe-inspiring “Sugar Beach, a Viceroy Resort,” located between the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Pitons. The resort’s nightly rates start over $2,000. However, guests are afforded stunning views of the lush, tropical gardens and the crystal clear waters lapping onto Sugar Beach. 

Find more information about exciting destinations in B.C. and across the globe, as well as travel deals and tips, by signing up for V.I.A.’s weekly travel newsletter The Wanderer. Since travel deals can sell out, find out the day they are posted by signing up for our daily Travel Deals newsletter.

Want to learn more about a specific destination or simply have a travel concern or idea that you would like V.I.A. to write about? Email us at elana@vancouverisawesome. Send us stories about recent holidays that you’ve been on, or if you have any tips you think our readers should know about. 

Everything Vancouver travellers need to know about visiting Saint Lucia

Travel

Metro Vancouver travellers who love Hawaii should check out tropical island in the Caribbean that boasts similar tropical vistas.

Easily recognizable by its majestic tapered mountain mountains, known as Pitons, Saint Lucia oozes tropical beauty, covered in lush, tropical rainforest and home to breathtaking beaches with sparkling, turquoise waters. 

The Pitons are two volcanic plugs on the island’s southwestern coast: Gros Piton (2,530 feet) and Petit Piton (2,438 feet). The local beer brand, Piton, is named after the iconic landmarks, explains the Saint Lucia Tourism Authority. 

Visitors may wish to hike around the Pitons and check out the local exotic flora and fauna or sail around them to get a view. 

Located in the Eastern Caribbean, the island nation’s closest neighbours include Martinique, Dominica and Guadeloupe, all of which are connected by inter-island ferries. 

The island is also home to a vibrant nightlife scene, with residents and visitors enjoying dancing and live music in local clubs and restaurants. 

Find out everything you need to know about planning a trip from Vancouver to Saint Lucia. 

What airlines should I fly to to Saint Lucia?

Saint Lucia has two airports. Hewanorra International Airport (UVF) is the larger one most flights from Canada and the United States fly into it. George F.L. Charles Airport (SLU) is the second and smallest, serving primarily inter-island travel. 

From Vancouver International Airport (YVR), travellers must take a connecting flight to reach UVF. Some popular stopover spots en route from Vancouver include Toronto, Montreal, Dallas, and Miami.

The lowest-priced tickets on return trips from YVR to UVF start at just under $700. 

Airlines that fly to or partially to Saint Lucia via one of their airline partners include:

Air Canada
American Airlines
Delta
JetBlue
Qatar Airways
United
WestJet

When should I book my ticket to Saint Lucia?

Travellers don’t need to plan their trip to Saint Lucia very far in advance.  

Tickets from YVR to UVF start for under $800 if booked as little as a week in advance. Travellers may still need to be flexible with the outbound and departure dates to get the cheapest option. However, they don’t typically need to book several weeks or months ahead unless they plan to visit during a big holiday. 

When is the best time of year to visit Saint Lucia?

Saint Lucia’s climate is warm and tropical year-round but hurricanes usually occur from mid-May to the end of November.

If you decide to travel to a coastal area during the hurricane season, the Canadian government advises you to do the following: 

Be prepared to change your travel plans on short notice, including cutting short or cancelling your trip
Stay informed of the latest regional weather forecasts
Carry emergency contact information for your airline or tour operator
Follow the advice and instructions of local authorities

The peak season for travellers occurs from December through early March, with drier, more pleasant weather attracting tourists in droves, which drives up ticket and accommodation prices. 

Is it safe to visit Saint Lucia?

The Government of Canada greenlights travellers to visit Saint Lucia, advising them to take normal security precautions when visiting the Eastern Caribbean island. However, some places are seeing increased violence and travellers must exercise caution.

Petty crimes, such as pick-pocketing and purse-snatching, may occur. Credit card scams involving the use of ATMs may also occur. Visitors should cover their PIN when using these machines and be careful when handing their cards over to people. They should also be wary of using machines with “irregular” or “unusual” features.

Violent crime, such as gun violence, has increased over the past year, especially in Vieux Fort, a town located near the southernmost point of Saint Lucia. The government has reported murders, sexual assaults, robberies, and gang-related violence. Travellers are advised to: 

Be aware of their surroundings at all times  
Avoid walking alone after dark 
Avoid isolated areas  
Avoid showing signs of affluence or wearing expensive jewellery  
Avoid carrying large sums of cash or unnecessary valuables 
Stay in accommodations with adequate security measures 
Check with local authorities to determine which beaches are safe 

Canada says 2SLGBTQI+ persons could face discrimination and should “carefully consider the risks of visiting St Lucia.” Saint Lucian law criminalizes sexual acts and relationships between persons of the same sex; they could face a lengthy jail sentence.

They may also be detained based on “their sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or sex characteristics. They could also be detained and face other charges such as cross-dressing , gross indecency , and offence to public morals .

Important considerations in Saint Lucia for tourists to know

Your passport must be valid for at least three months before you expect to leave Saint Lucia.

The Canadian government advises travellers that Saint Lucia regularly experiences water shortages and local authorities may impose water rationing measures. Travellers should keep a sufficient supply of water on hand and monitor local authorities for directions. 

Do I need a visa to visit Saint Lucia?

A tourist visa is not required for stays up to six weeks.

Air travellers are encouraged to fill out the Online Immigration Form before arriving in the country. It may be completed up to three days before arrival.

One form is required per family and a QR code will be sent by email once completed. This QR is shown to authorities on arrival. 

According to the tourism authority, you must have the following information to complete the form: 

Flight Information
Passport details for all family members travelling with you
A photo of the travel documents, more specifically your passport bio page or ID card for Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) citizens only
A valid email address

Do I need to get any special travel vaccines ahead of visiting Saint Lucia?

Visit a travel medical clinic before you book a ticket. The healthcare professionals will inform you about what vaccinations you require and what you can expect on your trip. There are risks of contracting several viruses spread by mosquitoes including Zika and chikungunya.

Pregnant women, or women planning to get pregnant soon, may want to rethink their travel plans. The Canadian government recommends that you wait for two months after visiting Saint Lucia or after the onset of illness due to Zika virus (whichever is longer) before trying to get pregnant. If your male partner travelled with you, wait three months after travel or after the onset of illness.

What kind of activities can I enjoy in Saint Lucia?

Visitors to Saint Lucia can enjoy adrenaline-fuelled activities such as zip-lining through the lush rainforests, riding ATVs through the countryside, and several water sports, such as parasailing and surfing.

Water-based activities are some of the island’s biggest draws, boasting some of the world’s best snorkelling and diving opportunities. People can also rent boats or join sailing tours that visit different areas of the island, with some offering additional activities, such as fishing and snorkelling.

Visitors can also enjoy hiking in Pigeon Island National Park, home to old fort ruins from the 1700s.

What kind of big events and festivals can I enjoy in Saint Lucia?

Independence Day festivities, including calypso shows and parades, draw crowds in February, while travellers plan to visit during the Saint Lucia Jazz and Arts Festival from April 30 to May 11, 2025.

The Caribbean island also has an annual Lucian Carnival for three weeks in May with numerous events such as parades, live bands, dancing, beauty pageants, boat rides, festive brunches, and much more. 

According to the tourism authority, a festival occurs on Aug. 30 called “La Rose.” Saint Lucia’s cultural traditions are divided into two “societies” – the Roses and Marguerites, whose members praise their respective flowers. Each society holds a massive festival or “grande fete” in honour of their respective flower. 

“La Rose” members pledge allegiance to the rose by “dressing in red and creating flamboyant displays made of roses.”

The Marguerites have their Fete La Marguerite on Oct. 17. Their members dress in ” purple and create displays of the Marguerite flower in addition to singing their traditional songs.”

Saint Lucia also runs a month-long Creole Heritage Month in October celebrating music, dance, cuisine, art and other cultural expression that culminates on Oct. 29 with the celebration of Creole Day (Jounen Kweyol).

How much money will I spend on accommodation in Saint Lucia?

Accommodation prices in Saint Lucia vary widely, starting at a modest nightly rate of $78 at the Aupic Paradise Hotel Vieux Fort – located five minutes from the airport – or several rental apartments at roughly the same price point ($70 to $100). 

Travellers looking for a step up can find hotels priced between $150 to $500, including the three-star Marigot Beach Club & Dive Resort with nightly rates starting at $236 or the four-star Bej Jou Hotel with nightly at $401.

At the other end of the spectrum, the island also has several luxury accommodations, including the awe-inspiring “Sugar Beach, a Viceroy Resort,” located between the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Pitons. The resort’s nightly rates start over $2,000. However, guests are afforded stunning views of the lush, tropical gardens and the crystal clear waters lapping onto Sugar Beach. 

Find more information about exciting destinations in B.C. and across the globe, as well as travel deals and tips, by signing up for V.I.A.’s weekly travel newsletter The Wanderer. Since travel deals can sell out, find out the day they are posted by signing up for our daily Travel Deals newsletter.

Want to learn more about a specific destination or simply have a travel concern or idea that you would like V.I.A. to write about? Email us at elana@vancouverisawesome. Send us stories about recent holidays that you’ve been on, or if you have any tips you think our readers should know about. 

Gabriele Mandel’s book on Islamic art published in Persian

Arts & Culture, Books

TEHRAN-The Persian translation of the book “How to Recognize Islamic Art” written by Gabriele Mandel has been released in the bookstores across Iran.Pejman Dadkhah and Maryam Miri are the translators of the book that has been published by Elm Publication.The book provides an overview of Islamic art and its spread throughout various regions over centuries, Mehr reported.
It began with the prophet Muhammad (PBUH) in the 7th century and spread across West Asia, North Africa, Spain, and India through conquest and conversion. Islamic societies assimilated political and artistic styles from diverse cultures, resulting in an international art influenced by many simultaneous powers. Common architectural elements included open, non-focal decorated designs. Islamic art also featured ceramics, metalwork, glass, woodwork, textiles, book illumination,s and more.
Gabriele Mandel (1924-2010) was an Italian Islamist, psychologist, writer, and artist of Afghan descent. He was the author of some 200 books published by major Italian presses, many of which have been translated into several languages, including English.
SS/SAB 

Most people trust science, but want better communication

Science and Health

A global survey spanning 68 countries has revealed that public trust in scientists remains high. This study, led by researchers from the University of Zurich and ETH Zurich, is the largest post-pandemic analysis of trust in science, societal expectations, and research priorities. With responses from nearly 72,000 individuals, the findings challenge the common perception that public confidence in scientists is in decline.Trust in science remains highThe study found that, on average, people across the world have a moderately high level of trust in scientists. “Our results show that most people in most countries have a relatively high level of trust in scientists and want them to play an active role in society and politics,” noted Viktoria Cologna, principal investigator from ETH Zurich.On a scale from 1 (very low trust) to 5 (very high trust), the average trust level was 3.62, indicating that most respondents still view scientists favorably. Furthermore, 78% of participants perceive scientists as qualified, 57% consider them honest, and 56% believe they are concerned about the well-being of the public. These findings counter the widely repeated claim that there is a crisis of trust in science.Growing gap between scientists and publicWhile the overall trust in scientists remains strong, the study also uncovers areas of concern. One key issue is the perceived disconnect between scientists and the public. Only 42% of respondents believed that scientists pay attention to public opinion. This suggests that while people trust scientists, they feel that researchers do not always consider the perspectives and priorities of the general public.“Our results also show that many people in many countries feel that the priorities of science are not always well aligned with their own priorities,” said study co-author Niels G. Mede from the University of Zurich.“We recommend that scientists take these results seriously and find ways to be more receptive to feedback and open to dialogue with the public.” This perceived gap may contribute to skepticism in certain areas of research and policy. When scientists fail to communicate effectively with the public or do not engage in meaningful discussions, trust can erode over time. The findings suggest that more efforts are needed to bridge this divide and ensure that scientific research aligns with public needs and expectations.Political polarization and regional differencesThe study also highlights significant differences in trust levels in science based on political orientation and regional contexts.In Western countries, people with right-wing political views tend to trust scientists less than those with left-wing views. This trend reflects a growing political polarization in attitudes toward science, particularly on topics such as climate change, public health, and technological advancements.However, the study revealed that in most countries, political ideology does not strongly influence trust in scientists. This suggests that while political divisions exist in certain regions, they do not necessarily represent a global trend.Instead, trust in science is shaped by a combination of cultural, economic, and historical factors unique to each country.A more active role for scientists The survey results indicate that a majority of people want scientists to engage more actively in public life and policymaking. Globally, 83% of respondents believed that scientists should communicate their work to the public, highlighting the importance of science communication in building trust and understanding.Beyond communication, 52% of the respondents supported greater involvement of scientists in policymaking. This reflects a strong public desire for science-based decision-making in areas such as health, environment, and social policy.However, opinions on advocacy remain divided. While a significant portion of the population believed scientists should contribute to shaping policies, only 23% believed they should actively advocate for specific policies.Scientific priorities do not always alignThe study also examined public perceptions of research priorities. Participants ranked health, energy solutions, and poverty reduction as the most important areas of scientific research. These findings highlight widespread support for science that directly improves quality of life and addresses global challenges.Conversely, research on defense and military technology received lower priority among respondents. Many believe that science is currently placing too much emphasis on military advances rather than focusing on issues that directly benefit society.This misalignment between public expectations and scientific priorities suggests a need for greater transparency in funding decisions and research agendas.Strengthening trust in scienceDespite the positive findings on public trust, the study emphasized the need for scientists to actively engage with the public. Trust is not static – it requires continuous effort from the scientific community to maintain and strengthen.By promoting open discussions, listening to public concerns, and ensuring that research aligns with societal needs, scientists can reinforce their credibility and relevance in the modern world.As scientific advances continue to shape societies, the relationship between researchers and the public will remain critical. Strengthening trust through communication, transparency, and responsiveness will help ensure that science continues to serve the needs of people worldwide.The study is published in the journal Nature Human Behaviour.—–Like what you read? Subscribe to our newsletter for engaging articles, exclusive content, and the latest updates. Check us out on EarthSnap, a free app brought to you by Eric Ralls and Earth.com.—–

Drew Barrymore Unveils Her List of Favorite Books, Get to Know Her Top 10 Literary Picks

Arts & Culture, Books

Hailing from the Barrymore family of actors, Drew Barrymore has established herself as an iconic actress, influencer, businesswoman, and host. Renowned for her captivating looks, brilliant on-screen performances, and exceptional acting skills, she has also earned accolades as a celebrated author, with her books gracing the New York Times bestseller list. It is quite evident that the E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial alum is an avid reader with a passion for literature. Her finest creations are Wildflower, Little Girl Lost, Rebel Homemaker: Food, Family, Life, and Find It in Everything.