As some of us know, St. Kitts is a lovely island with low-key tourism. It is heavily planted to sugar cane and produces its own rum. St Kitts has a central mountain range and a dormant volcano called Mt Liamuiga.

Nevis is circular with Nevis Peak in the middle.

Brimstone Hill Fortress is a World Heritage Site and is the most popular tourist destination. Last year an American took a look at the old sugar cane narrow-guage railway and decided to make it into a tourist attraction. They use 28-seat double-decker coaches, the top deck open to the forest and the bottom air-conditioned. They have a bar, choir and gujide. The train goes through the sugar cane fields, around the coast and beaches and into the rainforest, with deep cuttings and 23 bridges. At 8 mph the round trip takes three hours, or you can stop at the Fortress and have a 4 hour trip.
See www.stkittsscenicrailway.com
Tel 1 869 465 7263. Cost US$ 89.

Watch out for Manchineel trees and aggressive monkeys. Basseterre can be dangerous at night.

Currency is EC$. Credit cards are commonly accepted in restaurants. Restaurants usually add a 10% service charge.

Bays
Best bays are along the southeast peninsula on St Kitts. On Nevis, Pinneys Beach is lovely, with palms and a desert island feel. Also Nisbet Plantation Beach Club in Newcastle and Oualie Bay.

Snorkelling
White House Bay off the southeast peninsula is a favourite snorkelling spot.

The water around St Kitts has lots of reefs and colourful fish and other sealife.

Food
Seafood and fresh fish are recommended dishes here, as most forms of meat are imported and expensive. St Kitts makes a clear sugarcane spirit called CSR, which is often served with a grapefruit soft drink called Ting.

Shopping
Caribelle Batik makes a popular souvenir. There are also duty free shops selling jewellery and watches.

Business Hours
8-12 and 1-4, some shops close Thursday afternoons. Banks open 8-3, but 8-5 on Fridays.

Emergency Numbers
Police and Ambulance 911.

Links
www.nevisisland.com