St. Kitts & Nevis

Overview

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St. Kitts' British settlers designed and built the second largest fort in the Caribbean to protect an island just 68 square miles in size -- it was that important to them -- and with good reason. This island has sugar-producing valleys so fertile that even to this day, agriculture is still the island's primary source of income. That's not to say that tourism is not important here. The Four Seasons resort on Nevis is usually ranked among the Caribbean's finest and celebrities -- such as Oprah and Robert DiNiro -- make up a chunk of the frequent visitors.

The capitol of Basseterre is situated on the south shore of St. Kitts. Begin your tour of the city at the Victorian-style Berkeley Memorial Clock in the town square, called The Circus. A few blocks north, St. George's Anglican church is a fine example of the island's spring-back attitude. Destroyed four times, it was rebuilt four times.

Dieppe Bay on the northwest coast has charcoal-colored sand and a pier that can get busy. Watch the colorful sloops pull in with the day's catch. At Black Rocks frozen lava formations have been whittled by the waves.

Back at Basseterre, a sugar factory and brewery offer tours, but call ahead to confirm. Journey onto St. Kitts' peninsula, where the ambience is definitely deserted. Mongoose, monkeys and white-tailed deer frolic freely.

Diving is becoming a favored sport; with more than 400 wrecks recorded from the 15th to the 19th century in the waters surrounding St. Kitts and Nevis, take a dive and see what you can uncover. Other activities include surfing, snorkeling, hiking, tennis and golf. Of course, afternoon tea is a must, as is watching cricket matches. It's all part of the traditional charm of this emerging hot spot.

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