St. Kitts

We are long time visitors to SXM and are taking a cruise in December with a stop in SXM and St Kitts. We are all set to visit our favorite beach waiter Jean at Rainbow in SXM but are looking for some ideas for St Kitts. Never been and want the same kind of experience there as SXM. We are meeting up with another couple on another cruise for a birthday celebration. Any suggestions from our SXM lovers?

St Kitts is a different type island than St Martin/Maarten. Brimstone Hill is one of the top forts in the Caribbean. Great history and beautiful "I can see for miles and miles" views. Also make sure to have the local Carib beer. Delicious.

I totally agree with Nutmeg on all counts. ST. K is a totally different vibe in every way from SXM - beaches, bars, restaurants, etc., but worth the time to explore a bit. But seriously, do a sight-seeking trip to Brimstone Hill if nothing else. The views from the top are spectacular of all the near and not so near islands on a good day. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" />

Agree with the fort recommendation. I stopped while on a cruise and had rented a car for the day and drove the island stopping where we wanted. was a great way to see the max. We are long time BVI and St John goers and just loved the look and feel of St Kitts. Shipwreck landing beach or something like that is also a great time.

Just another comment...When you visit different islands in the Caribbean, either on a cruise or land-based vacation, I would recommend that you take each one separately. Because of the history of the region- Spanish, English, Danish, Dutch, French occupation and wars for possession, slavery, sugar, gold, etc... every place has something special. It is not all white sand beaches. St Kitts was mainly English (they fought off the French) so it is very unlike St Martin/Maarten. The volcanic nature of the island made sugar king until very recently. Tourism is not as sophisticated as it is on St Martin/Maarten. Also, the food isn't as good.<img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/cry.gif" alt="" />

You should try lunch at Ottleys Plantation Inn. It's a beautiful location.

http://www.ottleys.com/

I've enjoyed Ballahoo's in Basseterre a few times. Is there any chance it's still there? Lunching above the square was delightful.. and I spent a bundle once, at a little book store around the corner... all caribbean fiction you couldn't get at home-pre amazon! Some sight-seeing-a little church where we lit candles for everyone we know. What a beautiful place. enjoy

When we were there on a cruise stop, we went Zip-lining through the jungle. It was spectacular!

Try a trip on the "Sugar Train". It used to bring the cane to the processing plant but is now a tourist ride around most of the island. Takes several hours. You could also visit Romney Manor. It is the site of the island's beautiful botanical gardens and Caribelle Batik. The batik is pretty cool. They use an old process to dye fabrics and make clothing. My wife has several dresses from there. The Brimstone Hill Fort is pretty cool as well.

We spent several vacations there before coming to SXM and would go back in a heartbeat if the timeshares there were available thru RCI.

We stayed a week at Ottleys Plantation Inn and highly recommend it for as an hotel or just a meal. To us beaches did not compare with BVI or other islands we have previously sailed through. However a trip to Brimstone fort is well worth it. We went as part of a day long tour and were surprised that we could have happily spent considerably longer there than the allotted time. Not far from there were some beautiful gardens and store where they make beautiful batique items. Well worth an hour. As others have said, you can take the sugar train, only operates on cruise ships days so is busy, but it is apparently good fun and you get to see much of the island.
Why bother visiting other islands if you want them all to be the same? We won't visit St Kitts again, but enjoyed our time there. It will suit others far, far more than it did us, but we gave it a good try.