Nine reasons to love St. Kitts

For a truly relaxed Caribbean holiday, the modest, unspoiled gem of St. Kitts offers a unique Caribbean experience.

With an old-world charm that captures the imagination, St. Kitts is ideal for those looking for a laid-back, romantic or historic break in an idyllic location.

Although the island is rapidly developing, locals have been careful to preserve the natural beauty of their home.

St. Kitts is steeped in history, shaped by the prosperous sugar and tobacco plantations of the 17th and 18th centuries. These formed a major part of the island's economy until 2005, when the plantations finally closed and tourism became the mainstay of the economy.

Today, the island's heritage and cultural assets, preserved by the St. Christopher National Trust, are key elements of the visitor experience.

From the island's stunning rainforest (which is protected by the National Forest Reserve) to the island's historic buildings, holidaymakers are surrounded by captivating sights.

The newest attraction on St. Kitts is the Amazing Grace Experience at beautiful Sandy Point, where visitors can discover the story of how slave trader, John Newton, wrote one of the most famous hymns in the world, Amazing Grace, and helped bring about a powerful social justice movement .

There are only a handful of hotels on the island, which helps to preserve its wonderfully peaceful air. New resorts, such as the new Belle Mont Farm boutique hotel, are encouraged to be sustainable, and give back to the local community.

St. Kitts is currently served twice-weekly on a Saturday and Tuesday from London Gatwick by British Airways, the first scheduled carrier to provide service to the island. From winter 2014/2015 effective October 26, the two weekly flights to St. Kitts will be on Wednesday and Saturday.

For more information about St. Kitts, visit the website at www.stkittstourism.kn