TOUR B - ESSENTIAL ST KITTS
Excursions
- 30-40
- Approximately 3.5 hours
Our scenic tour includes visits to three impressive sights in St Kitts – Brimstone Hill Fortress, Romney Manor Gardens and Fairview Great House.
Our tour begins with a drive through Basseterre, heading towards Bloody River. Legend has it that this dry river bed once flowed with blood for three days following the slaughter of Carib Indians by British and French Colonial Forces. From here we proceed to the Romney Manor Gardens and Caribelle Batik Studio.
The 12 acre Romney Manor Gardens are beautiful. Featured within them is a wonderful old saman tree, with its tall, spreading, symmetrical canopy. It is sometimes known as the ‘rain tree’, due to its fern-like leaves closing up at night, allowing rain to fall through its canopy to the ground below. At this glorious location, local artists produce the fabric and apparel for which Caribelle Batik has become widely acclaimed.
Our tour continues through Middle Island, stopping briefly at the tomb of Sir Thomas Warner. The memorial itself is a fascinating object, replete with a finely engraved Elizabethan epitaph to the “much lamented gent”. From here we proceed to Brimstone Hill Fortress, which became a National Park in 1985; after intensive restoration it has been returned to its imposing grandeur. This 300 year-old fortress (‘the Gibraltar of the West Indies’) is perched on a 40 acre hilltop, more than 235 metres (780 feet) above sea level, where more battles have been fought than at any other single site in British and French naval history. The massive Fort George citadel is defended by two metre (seven feet) thick walls of black volcanic stone, better known as brimstone.
The first cannons were mounted on Brimstone Hill in 1690 as the English and French fought for control of the island. The next 100 years saw the intermittent construction of an amazing work of architectural and engineering genius. This magnificent structure is the second largest of its type in the Western Hemisphere and one of the best preserved. Its spectacular panoramic views (on a clear day) include part of the Kittitian coastline, countryside and five neighbouring islands.
From here, we drive to Fairview Great House, a 300-year-old Great House which has been lovingly and meticulously restored, along with the botanical garden surrounding it. The Great House is believed to have been initially built by the French in 1701, and provides a true representation of a St Kitt’s Great House with rooms furnished in authentic colonial style. The rich history of the site and the island is displayed in the historical information room, which gives an impression of what life was like on an Estate in St Kitts during the 18th and 19th centuries.
Following our visit, we return to the quayside and our awaiting ship.
TOUR NOTES: This tour may prove unsuitable for passengers with limited mobility, as it involves some strolling in the gardens (plus a couple of steps), and walking around the fortress (where there is uneven ground to negotiate) and at Fairview Great House, where there are some steps to negotiate. To reach the main Fort George site, which provides a spectacular viewpoint, there is a long, steeply inclined path including approximately 26 steps. Please note that it is illegal to wear camouflage in St Kitts. For your reference we shall not make a photo stop at the Bloody River, however the coach will slow down so it may be possible to take photographs from our coach.
DESCRIPTION CORRECT FOR 2011/2012 CARIBBEAN SEASON
Snack or meal provided
Refreshments available
Free time
Shopping opportunity
Wheelchair access
Swimming opportunity
All prices are based on operating costs, tariffs and rates of exchange and are subject to change without notice.
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