Some of the loveliest views of the Caribbean are from St.Kitts. It rises from the Caribbean Sea in graceful green slopes culminating in cloud-topped heights that stand striking against a clear blue sky. Set in the north of the Leeward Islands in the Eastern Caribbean, St Kitts lies near the tip of the diminishing arc of vast volcanic islands that starts in the South with Grenada. It is relatively small, just five miles across by 18, but it soars to over 3500 feet.

There are two halves to the island, which are distinct in geography and in their atmosphere. The North of the island is immensely lush and green, with a patchwork of steep green slopes. The coastlines are dotted with traditional West Indian villages, churches, agricultural plots and the occasional windmill or brick chimney from an old sugar estate works. Until recently, all the flatlands in this section of St Kitts were carpeted with sugar cane, but the industry came to an end in 2005.

Life is fairly typical of the Caribbean, a simple agricultural and light industrial existence. If you head for the South of the island, over the hill from Basseterre, the atmosphere changes completely. You arrive first in Frigate Bay, the island's tourist heartland. Hotel complexes line the beaches on both coasts (Atlantic and Caribbean side), there is a golf course laced among them and there are other facilities such as watersports (mainly on the Caribbean beach).

Beyond here, the whole Southeastern peninsula r is lower-lying and drier than the North of the island. It is consequently less green, but in compensation it has the best beaches on St Kitts. They are gradually being developed with tourist businesses.

Accommodations in St.Kitts

St Kitts has gone squarely for mid-range tourism, with mid-price, sometimes large hotels. You can find holidays here at a good price. Back in the North of the island, St Kitts has a couple of excellent plantation house hotels set in restored historic buildings, some of the most atmospheric and delightful in the Caribbean. They are not on the beach, but they offer the best in traditional Caribbean elegance.