Experience St. Kitts’ rich culture and heritage

As one of the island’s greatest assets, the heritage and culture of St. Kitts offers visitors a wealth of activities, historical and cultural experiences which range from arts and crafts to its architecture and island attractions such as the popular ‘Sugar Train’, unique to St. Kitts.

The ‘Sugar Train’, the Caribbean’s only scenic passenger railway, offers a truly unique and picturesque view of the island of St. Kitts, offering visitors a nostalgic trip by rail and road encircling the Northern part of the island. Using tracks originally built to transport sugar, it offers a poignant insight into the quaint villages and towns along the way. Schoolchildren and construction workers all stop to wave ‘hello’ to passengers as the train rolls by and a traditionally dressed choir sings Kittitian folk songs while sugar cakes, a popular island dessert, are served.

Other national treasures include:

Brimstone Hill Fortress National Park: Visitors will feel the island’s history come alive at the top of this magnificent 17th century fortress, the only man-made UNESCO World Heritage site in the Eastern Caribbean. Perched 800 feet above sea level with spectacular views of its surroundings, its now dormant cannons still point outward toward the harbour, where they once served to guard against invaders from the sea. A brief introductory video provides a thorough summation of the Fortress’ history while books on Brimstone Hill and the history of St. Kitts can be purchased in the gift shop.

Romney Manor/Caribelle Batik: Another must-see on the St. Kitts activity agenda, this local artisan’s factory produces intricate hand-made batik fabrics from fine, locally-grown cotton using traditional methods and techniques. Watch the artisans work and learn how batik is created, then shop for souvenirs in the factory store or stroll the romantic property gardens. 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, the nine-acre property has lush gardens and stately ruins to enjoy.

Carib Indian Petroglyphs: People visiting this site can close their eyes and almost see St. Kitts in its pre-colonial days while running a finger over the ancient petroglyphs carved into the rock near the entrance to Romney Manor. Created by the island’s original inhabitants, the Carib Indians, the carvings are believed to be images of their Gods and even today many locals believe that touching these images can bring luck or even fertility.

Local Artisan Galleries: Found at locations throughout the island and in Basseterre, local art and craft galleries display and sell items created by the hands of resident artists, each with a distinct island flavor. For example, there is a glassblowing shop located off the Circus featuring unique items and the Kate Spencer gallery features her exquisite oils and watercolors depicting life on St. Kitts in brightly colored, finely imagined portraits. Visit the near by National Museum and ask for the galleries of Rosie Cameron or Dennis Delaney, or walk through the Amina Craft Market for a truly Caribbean experience.

The City Circus: Featuring majestic old style architecture, this central taxi stand area at the heart of Basseterre is a spot where both tourists and locals alike congregate. The Circus is a perfect location from which to observe the hustle and bustle of St. Kitts’ capital city, which was the first French capital in the Western Hemisphere. Basseterre’s many historic buildings reflect a mixture of French and British architectural influences, a result of the settlement of the island by these two former colonial superpowers. In a nod to the island’s British heritage, the Circus is modeled after the British Piccadilly Circus in London and its centerpiece is the Berkeley Memorial Clock. Also located close by is Independence Square, a garden type memorial and a historic site of a former colonial slave market.

Plantation Inns: Scattered across the countryside, the stately ruins of old sugar plantations rise from amongst the cane fields, a physical reminder of days gone by when St. Kitts was renowned for its sugar production. Many of these elegant plantation houses and their sugar mills have been converted into charming boutique inns, where guests can enjoy serenity and relaxation while sipping a cool cocktail or quietly watching the sunset from the verandah.

Taxicabs: Aside from being a great way to tour the island, taxicabs offer a distinct insight into the soul of the island’s culture. The comfortable vans are each uniquely decorated and themed to express the driver’s personality. Even better, the drivers are enthusiastic, well versed and eager to tell visitors all there is to know, including tips on their favourite local foods and restaurants and where to spot some of St. Kitts’ many playful and amusing Green Vervet monkeys. Ask to visit Black Rocks, the magnificent volcanic rock formations on the Northern coast, or Old Road Town, the history capital and site of the first English settlement in the entire Caribbean. Better yet, feel free to just jump into any taxi and tell the operator to show you the best of his island.

Carnival: Perhaps the most exciting and captivating display of St. Kitts’ heritage is the unique folklore and pageantry of the annual National Carnival celebration, a time when local residents and visitors alike gather to celebrate the island’s unique sights, sounds and traditions. Carnival spans from Boxing Day to New Year’s and events take place at various sites across the island. This colorful display of island culture includes lively parades, elegant balls, j’ouvert, street parties, music from Calypso to Soul and more. It is a distinctive experience, combining Carnival with the religious observance of Christmas on the streets through song, dance, drama and poetry.

Located in the northern Leeward Islands of the Caribbean, St. Kitts offers a diverse tourism product developed from the destination’s natural beauty, cultural heritage and rich history. The island’s stunning variety of tourism attractions include hiking through the tropical rainforest, riding the scenic railway that connects the island’s sugar plantations, touring Brimstone Hill Fortress, the only man-made UNESCO World Heritage Site in the Eastern Caribbean, and the more traditional vacation pastimes such as watersports, golf, shopping, tennis, gourmet dining, gaming at one of St. Kitts’ two casinos or simply relaxing on one of the island’s sandy beaches. Guests can select from accommodations ranging from intimate plantation inns to larger hotels or resorts.

Beginning January 10, 2009, St. Kitts will be served weekly from London Gatwick by British Airways, the first UK scheduled carrier to provide regular airlift to the island.

For more information, log on to Stkittstourism.kn.