It may not be the most famous of Caribbean islands, but what St Kitts lacks in profile, it makes up for in beauty, history, character and a real sense of fun. Easily reached on twice-weekly British Airways flights from London Gatwick, St Kitts is a small, friendly and vibrant island with plenty to enjoy from rainforest hikes to a lazy catamaran cruise. Winter temperatures hover around 25C and the landscape is a captivating mix of secluded beaches, soft emerald hills and mighty volcanic mountains.
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Beach bliss
St Kitts has sands for all holiday moods, from the gentle, family-friendly waters lapping the mile-long curve of Cockleshell Bay to breezy Atlantic shores much loved by walkers and kitesurfers. Inviting beach bars are never far away, such as the Castaway-style ShipWreck on South Friars Bay, which has live music on Sunday afternoons, and Salt Plage in Christophe Harbour with a smart waterfront deck ideal for sipping expertly crafted cocktails as the sun sets.
Natural splendour
Rising to 3,972ft, Mt Liamuiga is the island’s majestic green peak – if you like a challenge, take a guided hike up through the rainforest to admire its half-mile-wide crater. For something more leisurely, sit back on the top deck of the St Kitts Scenic Railway as it trundles round the north coast on a century-old narrow-gauge line originally used to transport sugar cane.
A Kittitian feast
Love lobster? At Sprat Net in Old Road the daily catch is served in cheap and cheerful style to the sound of a live reggae band that gets both locals and visitors dancing. Belle Mont Farm, set on a 400-acre organic estate high in the hills, offers delicious farm-to-fork cuisine under the mango trees. Basseterre, the characterful island capital, is the place to savour authentic Caribbean dishes such as goat water, curried conch and healthy ital snacks.
Historic wonders
Brimstone Hill Fortress, which dates from 1690, is a World Heritage site and national park that astonishes many with its colossal battlements, panoramic views and absorbing military museum. Close by, The Amazing Grace Experience explains the little-known link between St Kitts and this famous hymn, while Wingfield Estate is home to sugar mill ruins and Caribelle Batik, one of the most popular shops on the island selling joyously colourful locally made batiks.
Plenty to do
Fancy hitting a golf ball between two oceans? The palm-dotted Royal St Kitts Golf Club has a championship course that straddles both Caribbean and Atlantic shores. Or for an adrenaline thrill, try zip-lining over the rainforest at Sky Safari. If you visit between late November and New Year get ready to party, as that’s when St Kitts celebrates carnival in a vibrant whirl of colourful parades.
Fly from London Gatwick to St Kitts with British Airways from £749pp* for return flights and seven nights’ hotel in the London Gatwick Winter Sun Sale. Book by 12 November. Visit ba.com/wintersun to find out more. Terms and Conditions apply. ATOL protected.
Terms & Conditions: *Subject to availability. Price stated is per person based on 2 adults sharing, inclusive of all airport taxes, fees and charges, and includes return flights (economy), from London Gatwick to St Kitts Robert L. Bradshaw International Airport and 7 nights’ accommodation at the Timothy Beach hotel on a room only board basis for selected travel between 1 – 23 March 2020 only. Book by 12 November 2019. Price correct as of 10 October 2019. For full terms and conditions, visit ba.com/wintersun. Holiday packages are protected under British Airways Holidays Ltd by the Civil Aviation Authority. The British Airways Holidays ATOL number is 5985. British Airways Holidays standard terms and conditions and conditions of carriage apply, please refer to ba.com.
