st. kitts Spotlighton

Cultural flare

St. Kitts has a rich history that tells the story of sugar production and English and French colonialism. At Brimstone Hill Fortress visitors can wonder between cannons and learn about its military past. The history lesson continues with a ride on the St. Kitts Scenic Railway, a three-hour journey on tracks that once transported sugar cane from plantations to the sugar factory in the capital city of Basseterre. Looking for a souvenir? Visitors can support local craftsmanship with a visit to Romney Manor which produces colourful Caribelle Batik textiles.

Caribbean flavours

Locals like to eat fresh and champion farm-to-table or sea-to-fork dining, with menus offering fresh mahi-mahi, grouper, snapper and lobster. Dishes can be washed down with a rum cocktail at Wingfield Estate, the oldest surviving rum distillery in the Caribbean. Guests can take part in a new Kittitian RumMaster programme which teaches the history of rum and how the distilling process works, followed by creating spiced rum and rumbased cocktails.

A Dventure Awaits

Volcanic mountains and dense rainforest make this island a natural playground for adventure seekers. Whizz through the rainforest and enjoy epic island views with Sky Safari Zipline. The canopy is also home to a thriving bird population that includes the American Kestrel, Scaly-breasted Thrasher and Blackwhiskered Vireo. For active types, the summit of Mount Liamuga offers views of neighbouring islands on one side and a volcanic lake on the other.

Gone limin

Kittitian’s love nothing more than to kick back and relax or ‘lime’. For beach lovers there’s plenty of private sandy coves to while away the days from secluded Banana Bay to the calm waters of South Friar’s Bay. When the sun starts to set head to Vibes Beach Bar for chilled reggae beats or catch live local music at Mr. X’s Shiggidy Shack. For a more lively scene, hop from bar to bar along the ‘The Strip’ or head to Dock Bar on a Sunday to watch some of St. Kitts’ best bands. Time a visit with St. Kitts & Nevis National Carnival or St. Kitts Music Festival for a real Caribbean party. *British Airways flies twice-weekly from London Gatwick.