Basseterre, St. Kitts and Nevis

The capital town of Basseterre is the bustling gateway to the beautiful beaches and lush rainforest of St. Kitts. The island was among the first in the Caribbean to be colonized by the French and English, a complex legacy found in and around Basseterre Circus at such sights as the Anglican and Catholic churches, the Berkeley Memorial, and National Museum. A drive along the coast leads to the landmark Brimstone Hill Fortress and National Park, an imposing military structure built from volcanic rock by African slaves. St. Kitts is home to a rare surviving railway, now a tourist train, whose route through small towns and abandoned plantations offers unique perspective of the picturesque landscapes. Thanks to efforts to reclaim the old cane fields, St. Kitts is increasingly verdant. Adventurous travelers can hike past waterfalls and up into the clouds on Mount Liamuiga, the dormant volcano that rises nearly 4,000 feet and whose lower slopes are home to an array of tropical plants, birds and other wildlife.