It's one of St. Kitts' most popular attractions!

On a clear day, neighboring islands can be viewed in the distance.

Looking down on the Artillery and Infantry quarters from the Citadel at Brimstone Hill Fortress. photo by Caribbean Traveller

Whether you're passing through on a cruise or staying in St. Kitts for awhile, taking an hour or so to explore the grounds and take the audio tour will be an experience you won't regret!

The best way to explore anywhere new is to have your own means of transportation so you can get out and make your own adventures. However, concerns such as cost and the unfamiliar tend to hold back the timid traveller from making that leap.

A rental may be expensive but the memories will be invaluable.

Worried about traversing unfamiliar roads?No longer a problem.

Make the most of your precious holiday time.

Don't only think of this Barbados in terms of its development.

The view of the Atlantic ocean from inside the Animal Flower Cave.

There are amazing places that you must see to truly be able to say, "I have seen Barbados!" and the Animal Flower Cave is only one. 

Visit the Andromeda Gardens, Harrison's Cave, Welchman Hall Gully and others to get your fill of tropical scenery and lush, green surroundings.



Check out CaribbeanTraveller.com for insight on all the fun things to do, great places to eat and best places to stay in Barbados.

'The Greatest Destination on Earth'.

Javier, the owner of Seaview Inn, serving a cool drink with his customary smile.

Seaview Inn on Bay Street in Basseterre, St. Kitts is the Caribbean traveller's best bet for affordable lodging and delicious catering.

The well stocked bar at Seaview Inn in St. Kitts. photo by Caribbean Traveller

Caribbean Traveller recommends the Seaview Inn in St. Kitts!

The Caribbean is synonymous with many things, one thing at the top of the list would be our unique regional cuisine.

The flavor profiles and, quite often, the cooking methods are like none other.

Caribbean style cooking is celebrated internationally for the evident influences of a richly mixed culture, use of fresh tropical ingredients and a whole lot of love that goes into the recipes.

The traveling foodie or the simply curious palate can indulge in contemporary representations of traditional or popular dishes by taking in one of the many food festivals hosted by some of your favorite Caribbean destinations.

Photo by sailrocketeer.com

Here are Caribbean Traveller's Top Food Festivals in the Caribbean:

1. Caribbean Food & Wine Festival                     5th - 7th November 2015
           Provedenciales in Turks & Caicos.                caribbeanfoodandwinefestivaltci.com
   
2. Taste of St. Barth Gourmet Festival                 5th - 8th November 2015
           St. Bartholemew                                             saintbarth-tourisme.com
   
3. Barbados Food, Wine & Rum Festival             19th - 22nd November 2015
           Barbados                                                         foodwinerum.com
   
4. BVI Food Fete                                                   1st - 30th November 2015
           British Virgin Islands                                      bvifoodfete.com
   
5. Spices of the Caribbean                                     11th - 15th December 2015
          St. Lucia                                                          jademountain.com
   
6. Cayman Cookout                                               14th - 16th January 2016
           Cayman Islands                                               caymanislands.ky
   
7. St. Croix Food & Wine Experiences                  14th April 2016 [TBA]
           St. Croix, USVI                                                stxfoodandwine.com
   
8. Grenada Chocolate Fest, Grenada                      13th - 22nd May 2016
           Grenada                                                            chocolate.truebluebay.com
   
9. Taste of Bonaire                                                  June 2016 TBA
           Bonaire                                                             tourismbonaire.com
   
10. Portland Jerk Festival                                        July 2016 TBA
            Jamaica                                                             facebook.com/originsofjerk

Each festival has its own calendar that usually includes exposure to formal as well as casual sampling events and special flair in terms of flavor themes. Many even offer a fun activity or Restaurant Week to accompany the festivities and compliment the dishes being showcased. 

Photo by birminghammail.co.uk

Ask your travel agent to reserve your season tickets to make sure you don't miss a single event or take control of your vacation planning and make the arrangements yourself online. 






Share your favorite food festival or culinary experience in Caribbean with us in the comment section below.

Ruins of Moonhole, Bequia, owned by the Johnson family

Bequia is well known to the avid traveller for its luxurious and eco-friendly accommodations. In the past, Moonhole was no exception. It's just one of many stone homes characteristic to the island but this one was built  in the 1960s directly into the cliffside beneath a naturally occurring stone arch and named 'Moonhole' because the setting moon would sometimes shine through the volcanic rock archway. 

The resort had large open rooms with a view of the sea. It was constructed using whale bones, local hardwood and other objects recovered from the sea to give the property a rustic and culturally relevant charm. In the early years there was not even a road to Moonhole. Fresh fruit and freshly baked bread was walked in daily from Paget Farm.

Moonhole at sunset with volcanic rock arch in the foreground.

Over time, rocks falling away from the archway made occupancy unsafe and the property has laid abandoned for many years. Trespassing and entry are forbidden but the place still draws interest from visitors and locals alike.

Add a sense of wonder to your vacation.

Calling all nature lovers and adventure travellers!
The Nature Isle of the Caribbean
is waiting for you.

Boeri Lake in Dominica on a clear, sunny day. Photo by Derek Galon

The Caribbean's Longest Walking Trail

At least seven segments of the Waitukubuli National Trail have been made safe and accessible for the adventurous nature traveller to explore. The Forestry Division of the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries has done commendable work in clearing segments three, four, six, eleven, twelve, thirteen and fourteen, which opens 81 kilometers (50 miles) to local and visiting hikers. 

 

Photo via svdemeter.wordpress.com

Other popular attractions which involve some level of hiking are now accessible and operational. 

These include: Trafalgar Falls, Emerald Pool, L’Escalier Tete Chien, Middleham Falls, Freshwater Lake, Cabrits National Park and Syndicate Nature Trail. 

The trek to the famous Boiling Lake--a level 4 (difficult) hike across towering mountain ranges, hot streams, hot boiling mud, mini geysers and forests--is open and considered a “must do” for the trekking enthusiast. 

Emerald Pool and Champagne Falls, Dominica. Photo via youtube.com

* Trail users are advised to exercise caution on all paths and guides are recommended as there are landscape changes on certain trails.  Hikers are encouraged to use appropriate hiking gear when trekking in Dominica.

** The Forestry Division continues to assess the island’s hiking trails and will provide updates once assessments have been made and necessary repairs have been completed.

Spearheaded by the big heart of Ms. Elizabeth Jordan,
The Lodge is much more than a small hotel.

The Lodge provides accommodations for anyone visiting the English Harbour area and the proceeds go towards the upkeep of the hotel, provision of free sailing lessons to local children and a program called 'Sailability', which allows disabled persons to experience the joy of sailing utilizing specially outfitted water crafts.

Thanks to their supportive sponsors, special boats were shipped to Antigua free of cost and continue to bring joy to those less fortunate.

Even though their endeavours are largely charity driven, The Lodge and National Sailing Academy hopes to be able to put their next plan into action. That is, to train young men and women on the island so they can find work in the lucrative yachting industry.

President of the National Sailing Academy of Antigua, Ms. Elizabeth Jordan Photo via antiguanice.com

According to Jordan, "Sailing is the only sport in Antigua with employment opportunity. Hundreds of yachts [visit Antigua] looking for crew and the way to get in is to learn to sail." 

She hopes to inspire those school leavers who may be less academically inclined to take advantage of the opportunity. 

It is reported that many of the world's super yachts either visit or will be visiting the island regularly in the future and, with the highly anticipated Sailing Week scheduled for 23rd-29th April 2016, there is no time to waste in getting the island's youth on board.

A moment from Antigua Sailing Week. Photo via sailingscuttlebutt.com

To make a donation to the National Sailing Academy, please click here.

The British Virgin Islands (BVI), known as Nature's Little Secret, make up an archipelago of 60 islands and cays located in the northwestern region of the Caribbean chain of islands just east of Puerto Rico . The main islands are Tortola, Virgin Gorda, Anegada and Jost Van Dyke. 

Snapshot from BVI's Sailing Regatta. Photo by rc44.com

Reasons to visit the BVI? 

First on the list would be its status as one of the world's premier sailing destinations where sailors can island hop and enjoy the unique culture and nature of the different islands. 

Truly a pristine and romantic Caribbean island destination reminiscent of a bygone era. 

Highlights of your vacation can include world-class yachting at the BVI Spring Regatta & Sailing Festival, snorkeling, hiking, sustainable tourism and, for diving enthusiasts, the Caribbean’s most stunning wreck dives, such as the RMS Rhone. 

The Caves by Spring Bay on Virgin Gorda

Among the attractions the BVI are most known for:

The Baths on Virgin Gorda, Anegada’s Flamingo Pond, White Bay on Jost Van Dyke, and Tortola’s Sage Mountain. Not to forget the foodies, coming soon in November is a month long culinary experience called the BVI Food Fete.

One of the beautiful dishes from BVI's annual Food Fete. Photo by jordanawright.com

The BVI are easily accessible for U.S. travelers flying into Tortola/Beef Island’s Terrence B. Lettsome International Airport (EIS) via the regular connecting services from nearby Puerto Rico, St. Thomas, Antigua, St. Kitts or St. Maarten/St. Martin. If you're traveling to the BVI from St. Thomas, you also have the option of using a ferry. 

Feeling inspired to travel?

Visit our website for useful information to plan your vacation in nature's secret island paradise. 

Look out for more about why the British Virgin Islands should be on your travel radar this winter.