St. Kitts, the nickname for St. Christopher, was originally called Liamuga meaning fertile island by the first Indian residents. And there's little question as to why. Verdant mountains, fields of abundant green sugar cane, and beautiful topical foliage is the norm on this beautiful Leeward Island.

Volcanic and hilly yet heavily agricultural, this island is the dominant part of the two-island federation of St. Kitts and Nevis, which are separated at their closest point by a two-mile-wide channel. Once part of the United Britain, the islands declared their independence in 1983, a day that is still celebrated each year much like July 4 in the United States.

St. Kitts is quintessentially West Indian, where foods like "peas and rice" are daily staples. In recent years, St. Kitts has gained wealth as a tourist destination, developing many beachfront hotels and a deepwater port to attract large ships on a regular basis.

The island's capital city of Basseterre (pronounced "Bass-tare") is an architectural jewel, one of the best preserved 18th century towns in the Caribbean. This is largely because of a group called the Beautiful Basseterre Committee, organized by residents who understand the importance of preserving history. Many wonderful two-story shops with volcanic stone first floors, with wooden second stories, balconies, fretwork and hip roofs, are still standing and have been maintained so that the town has retained its original look. The best of these are located around Independence Square, the town's original center and former slave market. Today, the life of the town seems to center a block away around The Circus, a roundabout where the banks, stores and restaurants are located around the Berkeley Memorial. The former Treasury Building has become the National Museum. It is located right on the waterfront near the cruise ship facility called Port Zante.

The delightful thing about visiting St. Kitts is that you're visiting a place where people really live. Though it's geared up for tourism to a point, St. Kitts has not yet been overtaken by tourist infrastructure. In fact, you may not really feel like you're on vacation until you reach the Frigate Bay area, where there are many hotels and beaches.

It's important to get around the island at least once to see several historic sites, and to see the fabulous countryside. Not to be missed is Brimstone Hill, a 17th century fortification known as the Gibraltar of the Caribbean. This huge fort located on an impenetrable hill provides incredible views and on a clear day it's possible to see five islands from this vantage point. Nearby is Caribelle Batik, a former greathouse once owned by British Lord Romney. It's now a batik factory and botanical garden, developed by local businessman Morris Widdowson. He is also restoring a former sugar factory next door, Wingfield Plantation, which is located at the edge of the rain forest.

On the way up to Wingfield, there are some Carib rock drawings, known as petroglyphs, that can be seen along the road. A dark day in island history is recalled at Bloody Point, where thousands of Carib Indians were slaughtered and their blood supposedly ran along a ravine. There's also the Thomas Warner's grave site, he was the island's original settler and first governor at St. Thomas Church in Middle Island. He's buried next to Samuel Jefferson?believed to be though not yet confirmed?a relative of Thomas Jefferson.

Traveling around the island, there are many delightful old churches, and several plantation inns, former sugar plantations that have been transformed into gracious hotels. On St. Kitts, these include the Rawlins Plantation Inn, the Golden Lemon and Ottley's Plantation Inn.

Back to the 21st century along Frigate Bay, you can find an 18-hold golf course and lovely resorts. From there you can ride out the Southeast peninsula, as of yet undeveloped, except at the far end where there are a couple of beach bars, including the popular Turtle Beach Bar and Grill, overlooking Nevis. The wonderful curvy road that leads down to the end of the peninsula was built by the U.S. government.

St. Kitts provides opportunities to partake in all tropical activities, including unique hikes into the rain forest and up to the volcano?a day-long trek through primordial forests. Activity options also include good scuba diving, snorkeling, boating, golf and tennis. Helicopter tours of St. Kitts, Nevis, and even Montserrat take off here.

Top 11 St. Kitts Hotels