This week, we are exploring the beautiful dual-island nation of St. Kitts and Nevis!
Located between the Atlantic Ocean and the Caribbean Sea, St. Kitts, and its neighboring smaller island, Nevis, are both beautiful destinations known for their lush, green mountains and peaceful beaches. However, the larger of the two islands, St. Kitts, takes the cake for weddings and avid travelers.
Dubbed “Destination of the Year for 2023” by the Caribbean Journal, St. Kitts welcomes wanderlust couples with open arms. The island invites travelers to “venture deeper,” and immerse themselves into the island’s rich offerings in romance, culture, and cuisine.
St. Kitts’ unique island topography includes sparkling ocean views and white-sand beaches, along with the dormant Mount Liamuiga volcano, home to a crater lake, green vervet monkeys, and lush rainforests filled with hiking trails.
Engaged couples planning their weddings can take full advantage of the island’s diverse landscape.
Since there is no residency needed to tie the knot here, folks can say “I do” anywhere they please. From a church to the beach, on a mountaintop, or in the rainforest— the options are endless!
History buffs can also explore the island’s complex past at Brimstone Hill Fortress National Park. The well-preserved British-designed fortress is a UNESCO World Heritage Site overlooking the Eastern Caribbean Sea. It was originally built and maintained by African slaves. Today, it is a lasting reminder of the strength and endurance of the African people.
We are contemplative, nostalgic, and soulful. We appeal to intrepid travellers eager to explore, to learn, and immerse themselves fully in a new experience.
– Honourable Marsha Henderson, Minister of Tourism, Civil Aviation and Urban Development for St. Kitts & Nevis.
To learn more about what the beautiful island of St. Kitts has to offer, we spoke with St. Kitts’ Chief Executive Officer of Tourism, Ellison “Tommy” Thompson.
From relaxing romantic getaways to exciting adventures and upcoming festivals, St. Kitts truly has something for everyone.
Prepare to be inspired!
- Destination: Saint Kitts & Nevis
- Population: 54,334 as of Wednesday, July 12, 2023 (Source: Worldometer)
Saint Kitts resonates with multicultural couples through its carefully crafted campaigns showcasing romance, culture, and cuisine.
As soon as you step off the plane, you’re struck by the beauty of the island.
– Ellison “Tommy” Thompson (CEO of St. Kitts Tourism Authority)
The engaging and authentic feel of St. Kitts’ promotional campaigns is a large part of its tourism success, particularly within the area of romance.
Tommy admits, “Romance is a great Beach Market for St. Kitts.”
On-island, Tommy shares there are a number of “Romance Providers” who work very closely with the hotels, brides, and grooms. “They help guide couples through their wedding checklists, from flowers to decor, videographers, etc.”.
In addition to making your wedding planning as seamless as possible, Tommy adds that “Multicultural activities, like the Coterie Retreat, are actually checking two boxes at once while appealing to romance and also to the multicultural wedding market.”
However, at its core, the draw for many travelers to this unique island is the stories, traditions, and cultures as told by local Kittitians themselves.
According to Tommy, “Limin” [a.k.a. hanging out] with the locals is truly the best way to discover St. Kitts!
We want to encourage people to go out into the communities, local restaurants, and local bars to explore and venture deeper.
– Ellison “Tommy” Thompson (CEO of St. Kitts Tourism Authority)
St. Kitts is known for its wide range of flavors and local cuisine inspired by Caribbean and Old World flavors.
Located on Fari Organic Farm in Basseterre, the capital of St. Kitts and Nevis, Ital Creations is a quaint restaurant offering vegetarian, vegan, and Caribbean options full of fresh ingredients.
Family-owned and operated, Ital Creations is dedicated to serving healthy, farm-to-table dishes, made with all organic ingredients.
Visitors can take a tour of the family farm, participate in yoga and special events, order food to go, or, as Tommy recommends, “Eat under the mango tree.”
However you decide to explore this local food joint, it will be a delicious experience!
another local spot Tommy highly recommends is Arthur’s.
As one of St. Kitts’ newest oceanfront dining experiences, Arthur’s provides an authentic “sea to fork” dining experience!
Situated on the black sand beach in Dieppe Bay, the restaurant’s namesake was Arthur Leaman, the former House & Garden Magazine Editor and creator of The Golden Lemon Inn.
The noteworthy eatery is only a quick 10-minute drive from the farm-to-table resort: Belle Mont Farm.
Fresh-caught fish cooked in traditional Kittician dishes and other tasty beach-side eats will satisfy your appetite at this casual cantina!
Check out more dining spots in St. Kitts here!
Post-Covid, St. Kitts was one of the later Caribbean countries to open.
“We opened fully in August of 2022,” Tommy shares. “We’re really playing catch-up, but we are pleased by the way the numbers are going.”
In spite of their late opening, the tide of tourism is certainly in St. Kitts’s favor!
In 2022, Caribbean Journal named St. Kitts “the busiest destination in the Caribbean”. Then, in 2023, the publication announced St. Kitts and Nevis as the aforementioned “Destination of the Year” during their World Travel Awards.
These prestigious accolades are a testament to the country’s unique offerings, and it doesn’t stop there!
Starting in 2024, Tommy reveals there will be new direct flight services with Jet Blue. These services will be to New York, offered 3 times a week, and will be available year-round!
United Airlines will also be extending services until August 2024, instead of April. This pairs perfectly with St. Kitts’ plans to eventually transition from a seasonal destination to a year-round one.
Another transportation highlight was InterCaribbean Airways’ inaugural flight between Barbados and St. Kitts, which occurred in March 2023.
“We chose Barbados because they have their hub there,” Tommy explains. “So it’s one-stop to Barbados, then you can get to Grenada, St. Vincents, St. Lucia, Dominica, Georgetown, Guyana…”, the list goes on!
In only 4 months of service, the number of aircraft has increased significantly. This showcases a popular demand for more flight options to the island of St. Kitts!
With many upcoming celebrations, events, and festivals on the horizon, travelers should book their flights now!
In St. Kitts, a “summer of fun” awaits you!
Kicking off last month on June 22nd, 2023, St. Kitts and Nevis Music Festival Summer of Fun started the party with performances by Burna Boy, Air Supply, and more. St. Kitts’s very own musical artist, Byron Messia, also made an appearance!
“The 3-day music festival is a great event to attract regional business, and also multicultural business,” Tommy says. “Not only from North America but also through the Caribbean.”
Nevis Mango Festival (June 30th – July 2nd) is another exciting event to attend.
With 44 varieties of mangos on the island, food dishes, drinks, and desserts will all be infused with delicious mangos!
Get a taste of St. Kitt’s & Nevis’s countless cuisines during Restaurant Week (July 13 – 23, 2023).
During this week-long event, Kittician chefs and foodies from near and far converge to create and taste tantalizing dishes featuring a special ingredient. This year’s special ingredient… pineapple!
Nevis’s Culturerama Festival is the island’s version of Carnival.
Held this year from July 27th to August 8th, the event is an eclectic celebration of love and culture! The goal of the carnival: to preserve St. Kitts and Nevis’ rich cultural heritage while bringing economic benefits and international travel to the island. Register for one of Culturerama 2023 competitions here.
St. Kitts and Nevis’s National Carnival (a.k.a. Sugar Mas by locals), is one of their largest on-island events.
Celebrating 52 years of National Carnival (this year, from December 2023 into January 2024), “We say we’re the only carnival that goes over two years,” Tommy says, with a smile.
This “Two-year long” carnival starts traditionally on a Friday with a vibrant female calypso show. The following weeks are filled with fetes (lively celebrations) with flag waving, live music, powder throwing, and water fun.
A J’Ouvert kicks up the party! Meaning “I opened” in French, this parade starts street celebrations early morning in Downtown Basseterre. Six weeks of celebration and non-stop entertainment follows!
Parade Day (a Kittician take on New Year’s Day Parade) brings revelers back onto the streets on a march through the nation’s capital.
Wearing an array of costumes ranging from masqueraders to feathered outfits honoring traditional figures and folklore bob through the crowds. A final outdoor bash called Last Lap officially concludes celebrations on a high note.
With singing, dancing, and laughter, we agree with St. Kitts that “Sugar Mas is the best time to visit!”
If partying is not your forte, Avid Sports fans can always enjoy a match of Cricket!
The Caribbean Premier League is huge in the Caribbean. With a growing international fan base, from a multicultural aspect, Tommy admits “it’s an event that drives business to us.”
Ultimately, Saint Kitts is a unique destination offering so much more than pretty views.
With endless exciting places to explore and adventures to be had, St. Kitts draws travelers into an immersive world of endless discovery.
It is the perfect destination for a wedding, honeymoon, or solo trip!
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