A little known jewel in the crown of the Caribbean, this stunning island is the perfect place to take a break from the modern world.
Sure it's got that famous Caribbean weather, with hot sun, cooling breezes and a warm sea, but that's not the only reason discerning holidaymakers travel to this destination.
A relatively undeveloped tourist spot, the island of St. Kitts, has an old-world charm that's impossible to resist.
As you drive along coast roads, you'll spot former plantation homes, colonial towns and sugar mills that look as they haven’t changed in hundreds of years.
The islanders have been careful not to destroy the natural and historic wonders of their landscape, as their local industries (think tourism, rather than growing sugar) have modernised. And the result is a time capsule of elegant architecture and contemporary hotels, set against a backdrop of tropical rainforest.
The best way to get a sense of the island, and its residents, is to head out and hail a taxi.
Forget London cabbies, the taxi drivers in St. Kitts are enthusiastic and eager to tell visitors all there is to know about their home. Not only that, but each taxicab is uniquely decorated and themed to express the driver’s personality.
So if you want to find out where to go for great local food, or spot some of St. Kitts’ many playful and amusing Green Vervet monkeys, or even visit the Old Road Town (the site of the first English settlement in the entire Caribbean), then flag one down!
Get excited about visiting St. Kitts at www.BA.com.
Once you’re orientated, you’ll want to make the most of the island’s stunning sights.
There’s no better place to start than the Circus, the capital city's central taxi stand. Situated at the heart of Basseterre, tourists and locals alike congregate to observe the hustle and bustle of the first French capital in the Western Hemisphere.
In a nod to the island’s British heritage, the Circus is modeled after the British Piccadilly Circus in London and its centrepiece is the Berkeley Memorial Clock.
Another must-see on the St. Kitts activity agenda, is the local artisan factory that produces intricate hand-made batik fabrics from fine, locally-grown cotton using traditional methods and techniques.
The factory is located at Romney Manor, one of the island’s old estate great houses on land originally owned by William Jefferson, great-great-grandfather of U.S. President Thomas Jefferson!
And once you’ve enjoyed the history, it’s time to kick back and let nature do its work.
St. Kitts has many small secluded, white sandy beaches where you can get away from the crowds and relax. Or you can head out into the rainforest to enjoy tropical plants and flowers, sparkling streams and waterfalls all under a seemingly endless canopy of forest.
If you're feeling adventurous, you could even take a tour of Mt. Liamuiga, St. Kitts' dormant volcano standing at 3,792 feet...
For more information about St. Kitts, visit the website at www.stkittstourism.kn or follow St. Kitts on Facebook.
:: St. Kitts is currently served twice-weekly on a Saturday and Tuesday from London Gatwick by British Airways, the first scheduled carrier to provide regular airlift to the island. For winter 2014/2015 effective October 26, the two weekly flights to St. Kitts will be on Wednesday and Saturday.