Small island life off the beaten track

Intoxicatingly beautiful, St Kitts embodies the laid back and gracious charm of the undiscovered Caribbean. Separated by a narrow 2 mile strait from her sister Nevis, both of these small islands encapsulate the unhurried West Indian pace of life and are considered to be two of the Caribbean's best kept secrets.

At the heart of St Kitts, the spectacular cloud-fringed peak of Mount Liamuiga looms above the island's gorgeous 68 square miles of golden sand beaches. Volcanic crater hikes and rainforest treks are easily organised by most of the hotels for a chance to stroll amidst luxuriant greenery as exotic birds flit from tropical flower to forested slopes and the sound of tumbling waterfalls fill the air.

There's no respite here from the Caribbean rigours of sunbathing, swimming and relaxation! In the West Indian heat, the living is slow and easy with carefully restored sugar mills now moulded into delightful plantation style hotels and deluxe resorts. Blissfully warm evenings are perfect for poolside barbecues, dancing under the stars to the sound of steel bands and luscious seafood eaten al fresco to the accompaniment of glorious ocean views. 

The capital of Basseterre offers plenty of quaint shops with great local buys being shell, straw and coconut items as well as potent sugar cane liqueurs and the great house of Romney Manor is home to a batik clothing outlet set amidst beautiful gardens of bougainvillea, orchids and hibiscus.

Take a ferry across the water to neighbouring Nevis, a seductive and scenically spectacular island encircled by crescent bays of soft sand - remote and often deserted -and dominated by the wooded slopes of the 3,500ft Mount Nevis. Make time to visit the Nelson Museum with the largest collection of Nelson memorabilia in the Americas and fabulous Pinney's Beach with views back over the channel to St Kitts.

• View all accommodation in St Kitts

Please note:

Local airport departure tax US$22/EC$60 (approx £13) per person payable locally on departure (children under 12yrs pay half).
Payable in US Dollars or local currency.
With effect from 1st October 2007, a 'Passenger Facility Fee' will apply to all passengers departing St Kitts by air. The tax is currently £6pp and this charge will be included in the price of your holiday.