TOP SPOTS ON ST. KITTS TO ABSORB HOLIDAY CHEER
From the Streets of Basseterre to the Sandy Beaches,
The Spirit of the Season Abounds on St. Kitts
With the rapidly approaching holidays causing many to feel more “bah-humbug” than “ho-ho-ho,” St. Kitts has plenty of places to help get even the most resolute Scrooge in a more joyful spirit. As the lyrics of the Jimmy Buffet song Christmas in the Caribbean suggest, “we’ve got everything but snow!”
Here are some of the best places to find some seasonal cheer on St. Kitts:
1. Downtown Basseterre – From the official opening of the island’s National Carnival on December 17 right through the Grand Parade on New Year’s Day and Las Lap on January 3rd, St. Kitts’ capitol city is alight with the festivities of Carnival during the holidays. Throughout the streets, the folklore and traditions of St. Kitts are celebrated through song, dance, drama, poetry and music by Masquerade, Moko-Jumbies, Clowns and Actors in a variety of competitions, performances and street activities while local food and drinks available everywhere.
2. Reggae Beach Bar & Grill – Children make up the heart of any holiday, and nothing puts a smile on kids’ faces quite like getting a gift from Santa! This year, Reggae Beach Bar is again the site for a visit from Santa, who will be arriving at 5:30pm on Christmas Eve. Parents with children are invited to drop off a small gift with their child’s name on it for Santa’s sack, then bring their child to receive his/her personalized present from Santa. There is also a special buffet menu for those who want to stay and eat after the event.
3. Port Zante – It’s easy to be filled with the spirit of giving upon finally finding the perfect gift for that special someone. However, there’s always that one person who is difficult to shop for. Look no further than the shops of Port Zante for inspiration, as there are stores selling diamonds and jewelry as well as brand name clothing as well as duty-free shops for a variety of gift items. Or, for something unique and authentic to St. Kitts, shop at the adjacent Amina Craft Market to find handmade crafts, art, cloths, decorative pieces and jewelry that make excellent conversation pieces when displayed or worn.
4. Restaurants – For anyone who prefers not to do the cooking this year, plenty of restaurants on St. Kitts are open for business and serving up more than just good cheer on the holidays. For fine French cuisine served in an intimate setting, La Belle Vie in Frigate Bay has special menus for Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve featuring some traditional international holiday menu items. For traditional holiday fare in an upscale setting, Ottley’s Plantation Inn will be serving up turkey and other dishes for dinner on Christmas Day at their Royal Palm Restaurant. Alternately, for those who prefer to spend their holiday beachside, the Sunset Café at Timothy Beach Resort is providing a full traditional Christmas dinner with some added Caribbean options and Spice Mill Restaurant is putting on an elegant New Year’s Eve bash with fireworks, hors d’oeuvres, party favors and an all-inclusive bar from 7:30pm to 3:00am.
5. Brimstone Hill – Get in touch with the spirit of Christmas past by visiting St. Kitts’ magnificent fortress and UNESCO World Heritage Site. Rising almost 800 feet above sea level on a volcanic outcropping and boasting some of the island’s most spectacular views, the site began construction in 1690 by the British using slave labor as a strategic refuge fortress in times of war. It is one of the best preserved historical fortifications in the Americas as well as one of the Caribbean’s oldest English fortresses. It’s natural to imagine the people who celebrated the holidays in this very spot going back over 300 years ago.
6. Churches – Scattered around the island as well as in Basseterre, the churches of St. Kitts, both large and small are ideal places to visit for the holidays. Particularly during Christmas, the churches are overflowing with the joyful music of the season. Stop in to enjoy the voices all joined together as one that fills the air with song and jubilance.
Located in the northern Leeward Islands of the Caribbean, St. Kitts offers a diverse tourism product developed from the destination’s natural beauty, cultural heritage and rich history. The island’s stunning variety of tourism attractions include hiking through the tropical rainforest, riding the scenic railway that connects the island’s sugar plantations, visiting the Caribelle Batik factory, touring Brimstone Hill Fortress National Park, the only man-made UNESCO World Heritage Site in the Eastern Caribbean, and the more traditional vacation pastimes such as watersports, golf, shopping, tennis, gourmet dining, gaming at one of St. Kitts’ two casinos or simply relaxing on one of the island’s sandy beaches. Guests can select from accommodations ranging from intimate plantation inns to larger hotels or resorts.
For more information about St. Kitts, please contact the St. Kitts Tourism Authority toll free from the US at 1-800-582-6208 1-800-582-6208 or from Canada 1-888-395-4887 1-888-395-4887 e-mail info@stkittstourism.kn, visit www.stkittstourism.kn, or connect on Facebook, Twitter and/or YouTube.
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