SENSATIONAL St. Kitts

Even before you set foot in St. Kitts, you’ll get the feeling that this is a place that does things differently. Whether you’re flying into its airport or arriving by ferry from a neighbouring isle, the landmark that you’ll notice first is mighty Mount Liamuiga. Swathed in virgin rainforest, this dormant volcano dominates the landscape –but it’s all those tropical trees that make the mountain so remarkable. Covering a quarter of the island, this Central Reserve Rainforest is miles, sustainability makes sense on St. Kitts. As well as taking steps to conserve native species and their habitats, sustainable developments here stretch to preserving cultural heritage as well as safeguarding natural resources. All those extra trees on the mountain help to sustain St. Kitts’ freshwater springs – and they’re good for tourism too, providing plenty of opportunities for zip lining and immersive tours. And with expanding thanks to regeneration efforts and strict development controls. It’s just one of many initiatives that highlight how this island nation has a serious commitment to sustainability. With finite resources and a landmass of less than 70 square a ‘Pro-People, Pro-Planet’ tourism strategy supported by initiatives such as the Heart of St. Kitts Foundation (which encourages community engagement in beach clean-ups and other environmental and cultural projects), St. Kitts ticks plenty of boxes for travellers keen to leave lighter footprints.

From Rainforests To Railways

Perhaps the biggest adventure to be found in St. Kitts’ pristine rainforest is a guided hike up to the rim of Mount Liamuiga’s crater. Elsewhere, put your best foot forward to discover waterfalls and jungle pools; or head down to the coast for a hike to untouched Shitten Bay. Or for a memorable brush with wildlife, sign up for a sea turtle encounter to meet these ancient mariners in their natural environment. Better still, all proceeds from the turtle tours support conservation efforts that monitor the island’s populations of these incredible creatures. But you don’t have to work up a sweat to experience St. Kitts’ greener side. Simply slow your pace and pause for a moment: you’ll make plenty of worthwhile discoveries, be it a hummingbird flitting between poolside blooms, or the stars in an inky night sky. Even touring comes with a gentler rhythm on the St. Kitts Scenic Railway, which was built to carry the sugarcane that was once the mainstay of the Kittitian economy. Nowadays it’s a heritage attraction – the Caribbean’s last working railway – that trundles at a leisurely 10mph from the capital, Basseterre, through former sugarcane fields dotted with the stone-built chimneys of historic estates. Other heritage attractions to seek out include Brimstone Hill Fortress,

Good news from St. Kitts

The Central Reserve Rainforest makes St. Kitts one of the world’s only nations whose rainforest coverage is expanding.

Designated in 2011, St Mary’s Biosphere Reserve (which includes Brimstone Hill Fortress) is one of the Caribbean’s first such reserves.

In a win/win for beachgoers and farmers, piles of seaweed washed up on the shore are harvested for natural fertiliser. Initiatives supporting small businesses like Link-Up Beach Bar & Grill bring opportunity and jobs to out-ofthe-way corners of the island.

whose bastions, barracks and impenetrable walls are a World Heritage Site that’s so impressive that it’s been dubbed ‘the Gibraltar of the West Indies’. Wingfield Estate’s historic distillery is also packed with wow factor, not least for being brought back to life to make

Keeping things contemporary are cultural attractions such as Caribelle Batik, which produces beautiful textiles quality, small-batch Old Road Rum. Also keeping things contemporary are cultural attractions such as Caribelle Batik, which produces beautiful textiles; or perhaps try a paint-and-sip experience with a local artist.

TASTE ST. KITTS

Of course, one of the most rewarding ways in which to discover a nation’s culture is through its food and drink. All over the island, you’ll spot neatly laid-out vegetable plots and trees heavy with papayas and mangoes. Taste all this fresh bounty at local restaurants, where you can order dishes such as saltfish with ‘provisions’: a mix of seasonal pumpkin, squash and taro served with coconut dumplings. The Strip, on the seashore just outside Basseterre, is a great place to go for local flavours and a chance to ‘lime’ (hang out) with friendly Kittitians; or time your visit to coincide with Restaurant Week or St. Kitts’ Annual Music Festival. But perhaps the most memorable meals of all can be found at a farm-to-table experience. Take a tour of Liamuiga Natural Farms’ coffee and citrus plantations, then dine at restaurants at the likes of Belle Mont Farm or Fari Organic Farm, where you can look out on surrounding plots that produced the ingredients on your plate. Their secret, of course, is the rich volcanic soils of the island: a reminder that Mount Liamuiga dominates not just the landscape on lovely St. Kitts.

TURTLE-Y AMAZING

For a hands-on animal encounter that directly supports conservation initiatives, pitch in with the non-profit St. Kitts Sea Turtle Monitoring Network. Although best known for the leatherback turtles that nest on the Atlantic coast’s dark-sand beaches, St. Kitts is also a breeding and foraging ground for green and hawksbill turtles. Assist and observe research scientists as they gather data on juvenile turtles that helps to protect both the sea turtles and the habitats of these fascinating animals. stkittsturtles.org