Saint Kitts and Nevis

Saint Kitts and Nevis is the smallest country in the Western Hemisphere by both area and population, but it punches well above its weight in history and beauty! Saint Kitts (officially Saint Christopher) was the first Caribbean island to be colonised by Europeans and was once called the "Mother Colony of the West Indies" as it was the base from which other islands were settled.

The island's history was shaped by sugar - for centuries, sugar plantations covered the landscape and the island was one of the most valuable in the British Empire. Today, the old stone windmills and plantation great houses still dot the countryside, many converted into charming hotels. The Brimstone Hill Fortress, a massive hilltop fortification, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The twin volcanic peaks - Mount Liamuiga on St Kitts and Nevis Peak on the smaller island of Nevis - are perfect for hiking through lush rainforest to the summit. Nevis was the birthplace of Alexander Hamilton, the Founding Father whose life inspired the famous Broadway musical! The island's beaches are gorgeous, the waters clear, and the people incredibly warm. It's a gem of the Caribbean.