For the past year I have had the pleasure of sharing domestic travel idea vacation destinations with Houston Style readers. And while it has been an amazing adventure, it is time to go international! So don’t put away your beachwear just yet! After all, who says that your summer vacation has to come to an end?

Let’s take a journey to St. Kitts. Not just another island, St. Kitts boasts beaches of white and black sands, rain forested mountains, and a towering volcano. This is the perfect destination for exploration, adventure, and unforgettable cultural experiences.

For the past year I have had the pleasure of sharing domestic travel idea vacation destinations with Houston Style readers. And while it has been an amazing adventure, it is time to go international! So don’t put away your beachwear just yet! After all, who says that your summer vacation has to come to an end?

Let’s take a journey to St. Kitts. Not just another island, St. Kitts boasts beaches of white and black sands, rain forested mountains, and a towering volcano. This is the perfect destination for exploration, adventure, and unforgettable cultural experiences.

All aboard! One of the best and most scenic ways to view the island of St. Kitts is via the 3-hour railway tour. Known as the “Last Railway in the West Indies”, the train, originally built between 1913 and 1926 for transporting sugar cane, makes a 30- mile circle around the beautiful Eastern Caribbean Island. Along with an unsurpassed opportunity to experience the breathtaking culture of this unspoiled country (and plenty of Instagram worthy photo ops) the railway staff will treat you to some very interesting historical facts, acapella singing, along with some tasty refreshments (rum punch!) to keep you cool.

Worth adding to your “sites to see” itinerary, Brimstone Hill is a mind-blowing architectural feature; a window into the past that makes you pause for thought to consider the workmanship of this mind-blowing monument engineered by the British military and built by the hands of African slaves.

A UNESCO World Heritage site, the remains of this fort sits perched atop of the island’s tallest points. (Note: wear comfortable clothing and good walking shoes when visiting). On a clear day, you are able to see up to six other islands and the panoramic views of the Caribbean Sea.

For you history buffs, Brimstone Hill has much to offer. The fort exhibits a museum that details many historical factors including a timeline on the construction of the fortress, sleeping quarters exhibit, information on what life was like at the fort, how slavery came about on the island, different methods of punishment, and much more. One of the most notable tidbits I learned while visiting Brimstone is that the St. Kitts monkey, imported during the slave trade from West Africa, although unpopular due to its raiding of the island crops, made a major contribution to medical research. “If you have ever received a polio vaccine, it was almost certainly grown in cells from St. Kitts- Nevis monkeys”.

From the beach to a fortress and now to the Wingfield Estate, set upon the picturesque foothills of the island’s central mountain range,

Wingfield is host to about 170,000+ visitors each year. This tourist-friendly destination is one of the four places on the island of St. Kitts that has 17th century Amerindian petroglyphs. The estate’s remarkable masonry includes aqueducts, a mill house, limekiln, and even a subterranean tunnel! There is signage at almost every spot at Wingfield to educate visitors on its extraordinary history. Archaeological digs are an ongoing process at Wingfield with a rum distillery being the most recent major discovery (2013).

For the adventurist, Wingfield is also home to the island’s popular zip line; however, for the true wanderlust, ask around for O’Neil and take a journey into the rainforest that is anxiously waiting for you to explore! O’Neil and son are the best way to get to know the history and healing powers of St. Kitt’s rainforest. Over 400 species of flora can be found per acre and O’Neil’s extensive knowledge on these varieties of plants and their healing uses will take you by surprise. This tour can range from one of a leisurely hike to somewhat of a workout (climbing the ravine was not an easy task for me but I did it and you should too!).

The best part was taking my shoes off and splashing about in the clear shallow “pools” within this lush rainforest – just nature and me. It was surreal, mesmerizing, and cathartic.

Lodging

Located on the edge of the island capital of BasseterreIl, and only a pleasant 10-minute walk along the sea front into town is Ocean Terrace Inn. This 50-room boutique hotel, equipped with generously spacious rooms and bathrooms, mini fridge, coffee maker, free Wi-Fi, and large furnished patios to enjoy the scenery and fresh Caribbean air is the perfect lodging choice for anyone looking for a more local feel. The lagoon style pool with waterfall makes for a great day of relaxation while sipping on tasty rum infused libations. The hotel’s Verandah restaurant offers a tasty menu of Afro-Caribbean fusion dishes (yum!).

And while all of the amenities make for a great reason to lodge at OTC, it’s the friendly staff that gives reason for my high recommendation.

Dining and Nightlife

For a lively lunch spot with beach front views, head over to Reggae Beach Bar & Grill located on Cockleshell Beach. This popular Caribbean beachside café/watering hole offers an array of tasty tropical cocktails to pair with coconut shrimp, grilled lobster, or even their bbq ribs (the best on the island!). Make sure to have your swimming attire handy because you’ll definitely want to cool off in the calm, crystal clear waters while sipping on your cocktail!

A great place for fine dining during the sunset hour is Marshalls, serving dishes with local ingredients and native flair. As the crowd varies, Marshalls can range from romantic and cozy to sometimes busy with large groups celebrating a milestone or gathering for an evening out so make sure to call ahead for a reservation. Oh, and request a table by the windows for the best oceanside views. Being the adventurous person that I am and wanting to try something for the very first time, my menu option of choice was the Ackee & Salt Fish. Very satisfactory! And don’t forget to save room for dessert because their Bread & Butter Pudding is a mouthful of heavenly bliss!

If you’re looking for a fuss-free fun evening out, then SpratNet is just the place you’re looking for. The menu is quite simple: lobster, fish, chicken, bbq ribs, or pizza. (Trust me, the lobster and bbq ribs are the way to go. Oh, and order a pizza to go!). The open-air concept restaurant sits right on the water in a small Kittitian community, with big picnic style tables to sit alongside other diners. Cheap drinks, live music, authentic Caribbean flavor; what more can you ask for?

Best place for an evening cocktail and an unforgettable sunset? Salt Plage.

Described as “serving the island’s finest craft cocktails and delightful Caribbean menu”, Salt Plage is one of the top bars on the island. Whether seated at one of the hammocks suspended over water, a daybed on the pier, or closest to the bar where live music entertains patrons, the magical colors of the picturesque sunset are worth every second of visiting this establishment.

Ready, Set, Pack!

St. Kitts will transform how you look at tropical island vacation getaways. I honestly do not believe that there is another place that offers everything St. Kitts has to offer. So stop reading, stop daydreaming, and pack your bags to set forth on an unforgettable journey to pristine beaches, rain forest hikes, impeccable Caribbean cuisine, and most of all her people, the enchanting people of St. Kitts.