Basseterre

In spite of its small size, holiday goers disembarking from an MSC cruise ship will not find Basseterre short of things to see.

The city’s two cathedrals, St. George’s Anglican Church and the Catholic Cathedral of Immaculate Conception in East Square Street, are at the top of the list. 

On South Square Street, one can visit the Georgian House, one of the better-preserved examples of local 18th century architecture. 

Other intriguing destinations to visit during your holiday in St. Kitts are all outside the city. On the way to Old Road, you will come across Romney Manor, the home of the Caribbean Batik, where you can witness the birth of these hand-painted fabrics.

No cruise to the Caribbean with MSC could be complete without a visit to the old sugar plantation of Wingfield Estate, where you will be able to admire ruins and study the complex aqueduct constructed to bring water from the Wingfield River to the plantation, a one of a kind construction on St. Kitts. The 18th century Great House and its Botanical Garden are soothing to all of the senses. Admire the perfectly restored structures, the separate kitchen building made with lava rocks, the dining room that seats 16 and overlooks the ocean, and the bathing room with volcanic rocks for heating.

The even smaller Charlestown, is the capital of Basseterre’s sister island Nevis. Here, the churches of St. Paul and St. Thomas are a must-see. Both date back to the 17th century, as does the old Jewish cemetery in the city centre. Once here, don’t miss out on a visit to the Nelson Museum, from which you can continue to Saint John’s Fig Tree Church. Surrounded by gravestones, it holds the certificate of the marriage of Admiral Horacio Nelson to the Navisian Fanny Nisbet. The excursion concludes at the Great House of the Montpellier Plantation, where the two fell in love.