St Kitts,Caribbean

Officially known as St Christopher, the island was named by Christopher Columbus on landing there in 1493, but it wasn't until it became an English colony in 1623 that its name was shortened to St Kitts, by which the island is known today.A lush, verdant island, St Kitts is the larger of the twin-island nation and is more developed than Nevis. However, neither island has succumbed to the usual tourist trappings, and St Kitts remains a naturally unassuming, uncrowded destination that is a true gem in the Caribbean crown. Dominated by an extinct 3,792ft (1,156m) volcano, the island is covered in green vegetation and sugar cane fields, and is ringed by sandy coves, coral reefs and clear waters. Most beaches to the north are black sand due to the volcanic nature of the island, but the beaches at the southern end, including Frigate Bay, Banana Bay, Sand Bank Bay and Cockleshell Bay, are what beach-gurus dream of: deserted stretches of fine white sand, while those yearning for waves will find Atlantic surf along the east coast. However there is more to St Kitts than splendid natural surroundings and beaches. An explosive history of slave revolutions and colonial contention during the 18th century has left the island with a rich heritage of architecture, as well as sites such as the impressive fortress at Brimstone Hill, which was constructed to defend the wealth, and to protect the wealthy, of the island. During the prosperous days of the sugar industry, St Kitts as the oldest and richest colony in the Caribbean boasted 68 sugar plantations in total. With the abolition of slavery, and the production of beet sugar in Europe, the surge of wealth finally came to an end, and today the once-prolific factories and windmills lie in ruins among the abandoned sugar plantations. St Kitts was the last island in the Caribbean to persist in the production of sugar cane, but the industry has been discontinued due to the high costs involved. Attractions Basseterre The capital town of St Kitts, Basseterre retains a certain charm from its elegant days during British and French colonisation, although its British heritage is more evident than its French past. Buildings such as St George's Anglican Church, originally built by the French in 1670, has suffered fires, earthquakes and hurricanes and was rebuilt in 1869, while the Circus, styled on London's Piccadilly Circus, is a central piece of Georgian architecture that features the bright green Berkeley Memorial Clock. Streets lined with interesting shops and boutiques radiate out from the small roundabout in the centre of town. The domed Treasury Building, or customs house, located on the waterfront, stands testament to its heyday as a centre for sugar production, as does Independence Square, site of the original slave market that was built in 1790. It was renamed to commemorate the independence of the island nation from Great Britain in 1983. Brimstone Hill Fortress The immense fortress situated atop an 800-foot (244m) hill was named the 'Gibraltar of the West Indies', and the citadel, boasting 49 guns, is protected by seven-foot (2m) thick walls. What started in 1690 took almost ten decades to complete, built largely by African slaves, and the scale and grandeur of the fortress was representative of the importance of St Kitts during the 17th and 18th centuries, and of the wealth that required such defence. Today, the indomitable military complex affords incredible views from its commanding position, as well as a small museum, a film recounting the history and restoration of the site, and tours of the officers' quarters, hospital and ammunition stores. Frigate Bay Peninsula If St Kitts can be described as a tennis racquet-shaped island, the Frigate Bay Peninsula is the narrow handle, stretching down towards Nevis, which connects the racquet head to the widened end of the handle to the southeast. The peninsula is unique in that it offers beaches on both the Atlantic and Caribbean coast; South Frigate Bay on the leeward side offers calm waters ideal for swimming, snorkelling and a variety of watersports activities, while North Frigate Bay on the Atlantic coast is battered by waves perfect for bodysurfing, and is one of the most scenic beaches on the island. As a result it has also attracted most of the resort and hotel development along the coast. Mount Liamuiga The highest point on St Kitts, Mount Liamuiga is a dormant volcano topped by a 0.6-mile (1km) wide crater lake. Formerly called Mount Misery, the name Liamuiga means 'fertile land' in the native Kalinago language. The slopes of the mountain are covered in farmland and lush tropical rainforest, and are popular places for hiking in St Kitts. Guided hikes usually start from Belmont Estate in the village of St Paul's and go up to the summit, which has panoramic views of the Caribbean, including the islands of St Barths, St Martin, Antigua and Nevis. Sandy Point Sandy Point Town is the second-largest town in St Kitts, with a population of just more than 3,000 people in the surrounding area. Thought to be the original landing point for Sir Thomas Warner in 1623, Sandy Point was the commercial centre of the island until the 18th century, when most business was moved to Basseterre. These days, Sandy Point is an industrial centre and tourist attraction, located at the entrance to Brimstone Hill National Park. There are some excellent beaches around Sandy Bay, including the shiny black sand beach of Pump Bay, offering good scuba diving and snorkeling opportunities, and Belle Tete, which is near the La Valle estate. Scenic Railway One of the most popular tourists activities on the island, the St Kitts Scenic Railway is a must for first-time visitors to the Caribbean nation. A fantastic way to experience the beautiful scenery of the island, as well as to learn about its interesting history as a major sugar producer in the 17th and 18th centuries, the St Kitts Scenic Railway takes visitors on a three-hour tour of the island, following a 30-mile (48km) circular track. The 'island style' narrow-gauge train is unique, in that it has two decks: an open-air observation deck on the top (offering panoramic views), and an air-conditioned parlour below, where complimentary beverages (including rum cocktails!) are served throughout the trip. As the train rolls by sugar cane fields, traditional villages and great sights such as Brimstone Hill Fortress, friendly tour guides contribute to your understanding of St Kitts by sharing anecdotes about the island and snippets of its curious colonial history. Cruise passengers should note that tickets for the Scenic Railway can be booked while on board your cruise ship. The Strip 'The Strip', the area immediately surrounding Frigate Bay on St Kitts, is the beating heart of the island when it comes to nightlife and entertainment options. Visitors should not expect neon lights or chic buildings - rather, envisage a series of unpretentious beach shacks located a mere stone's throw from the ocean. Visitors can rest assured that what the Strip lacks in glitz, it more than makes up for in spirit, with numerous bars and clubs offering live music, DJs, fire-eating performances, bonfires and - of course - a steady supply of cold rum cocktails to fuel your dancefloor heroics. Some of the most popular haunts on the Strip include Monkey Bar, The Rainbow, The Shiggidy Shack and Inon's Bar, which draws a nice mixed crowd of tourists and young locals. Also located on The Strip is eDock, a small restaurant offering free Wi-Fi internet access and spectacular views of Frigate Bay.