 |
|
|
 add to Travel Bag (NEW)
With a road encircling the island that is 21.5 miles long, it's certainly possible to zip around Nevis in a day, and in fact, many people do. But those who do this will advise you that one day is simply not long enough to take it all in the island's beauty. Plan ample time to walk up, around and into the mountain, and spend time exploring the beaches or the historic capital of Charlestown.
Taxi drivers are accustomed to taking visitors around for a ‘quick tour’ as many cruise ships stop in Nevis for just a day. Day visitors frequently take the ‘down and dirty’ tour, while others stay in town, lunch in Charlestown and visit the museums. If time allows, they try to plan an activity, such as a rain forest hike or horseback riding along the beach.
Ideally, to best see the island, folks should spend at least three days. If you want to lower your blood pressure (something you can easily do on Nevis), plan a week to ten days here. Most opt for a longer stay if feasible because of the lengthy flying time required to reach the island. Typically the trip requires stopovers in St. Kitts, St. Maarten, or Antigua prior to your arrival in Nevis.
Day One
It make sense to spend the first day in Nevis’ charming capital, Charlestown, where you can learn about the island at the two museums, pick up souvenirs and experience the ambience of the island. Along the waterfront is the lovely Museum of Nevis History, located on the site where American patriot Alexander Hamilton was born. In simple terms, this museum delineates the history and culture of the island; you can purchase books about Nevis and the Caribbean as well as locally made crafts. All in all this is an excellent starting point place for your initial orientation. From there you can stroll through town, observing the sweet little St. Paul's Anglican Church across the way. Nearby is the Nevis Art Gallery, located in a small wooden West Indian house.
The main blocks of town hold many examples of 18th century architecture, mostly built of volcanic stone blocks with wooden upstairs. There are two squares in town, and the Courthouse with a pretty clock tower located on Memorial Square. Nearby, along the waterfront, is the restored Cotton Ginnery. It was recently redesigned into small shops, a restaurant and an ice cream parlor. A visit to the public market next door offers a fascinating look at local fruits and vegetables, though most are shipped in from Miami or come by boat from Dominica (farther down the island chain). Nevis' collectible stamps are available at the Philatelic Bureau, where it's possible to buy post cards, stamped and ready to go. The Tourist is full of information across the alley, next to a craft shop displaying locally made items. A popular souvenir is Nevis honey, produced by local beekeepers, a successful island co-operative.
A bit off the main road is the Jewish Cemetery, which was established by the Sephardic Jews who arrived here from Brazil to develop the sugar industry. Interesting headstones are written in English, Hebrew and Portuguese.
For a meal, there are numerous restaurants in town. A good place to stop for coffee or a bite is at Café des Arts, a restaurant/art gallery with a comfortable courtyard.
You can walk, but you might want to get a taxi to the Nelson Museum, just slightly south of town, where memorabilia of British Admiral Horatio Nelson is displayed. Next to it are remnants of the one-time flourishing Bath Hotel, where Europeans flocked in the late 19th century for their thermal baths and treatments.
Day Two
The best way to see the rest of the island is to rent a car or hire a taxi for the day. Most taxi drivers are very well versed on the history of the island, and can add immensely to your day's enjoyment. You can head either south or north, though some believe that the northern views are superior to those of the southern route. No matter which way you go, you’ll eventually catch sight of it all. Heading north out of town, you'll pass the Four Seasons Resort, the key business on the island for the past ten years. Hard hit by Hurricanes George in 1998 and then Lenny in 1999, the hotel was closed for a year, but now is reopened and better than ever. This lovely property is a premier Caribbean destination, boasting of a Robert Trent Jones golf course.
Once past the resort, notice the church perched high on the hill to the left. This is St. Thomas Church, the oldest on Nevis and where many of the island's fathers are buried. The vistas from up there are pretty incredible.
Our west coast enjoys many beaches, including lengthy Pinney's Beach, where the Resort of the same name is located. Just beyond Pinney’s is Cades Bay, and then you’ll arrive at the very popular Oualie Beach, where many watersports are available. Just beyond Oualie, by about a mile or so, after a long empty stretch and just as the road bends to the left is Cottle Church, hidden deep in the bush to the right (once marked by a sign that seems to have disappeared). Even though it’s easy to pass by, go slowly and ask any local to point it out. The ruins of this small church are charming and are being stabilized to preserve the special place where some have even been married. History records that Cottle Church was built by the then president of Nevis, Thomas Cottle, so that slaves and whites could worship together.
Past the airport, a must-see is Nisbet Plantation Beach Hotel, built around the Great House, with a lovely coconut-lined beach. Every aspect of the place exudes relaxation, from its white sand to its hammocks.
Continuing around the island, things are relatively undeveloped but the natural landscape is stunning. On clear days you can see Antigua, and on most days you have a full view of Montserrat with rock-like Redonda in the foreground. When Montserrat was erupting, Nevisians living on this side had ringside seats. The road takes you quite high up into the hills away from the sea, and you will pass the ruins of New River and Coconut Walk on the left, two plantations that have interesting chimneys, windmills, factory buildings and a lime kiln that is still used.
Farther along, you’ll see Golden Rock Plantation Inn, a great place to visit and experience the nature trail, or to look for the island's green vervet monkeys right at the edge of the rain forest. Many begin their hikes to the peak or to the water source from the inn.
Right after Golden Rock, you'll come to Gingerland, one of the largest villages on the island, where Gingerland High School, one of our two secondary schools is located. During school days, the village is teeming with kids as they come and go to school. From Gingerland, there's a road off to the left leading to the island's one Racetrack, and if horse racing is on that day (about one Sunday or Monday a month), don't miss it!
Several other plantation inns lie between this point and Charlestown. First, on your right will be Old Manor Hotel, where there are many exemplary ruins of a sugar estate to observe. Then comes the Hermitage Plantation Inn, which was created around the oldest wooden house in the Lesser Antilles. Hermitage offers horseback riding and carriage rides. On the left you see signs directing you to Montpelier Plantation Inn and the Botanical Garden of Nevis. Montpelier is a grand English-style inn, with fine dining and tea served daily. Reserve at least an hour for the Botanical Gardens, where you can easily spent that time or more strolling through the orchid garden, the tropical conservatory, or the desert garden. There's also a wonderful gift shop and Martha's Tea House for lunch or a snack on the property. From there, you'll be back in town in a flash.
Day Three
A third day would be well spent participating in an outdoor activity during which time you can see even more of the island. Few people visit Nevis without some type of outdoor activity. There are many hikes and walk that range from strenuous or easy. There are trails to explore, particularly the Upper Round Road, a nine-mile road that connects Golden Rock Plantation Inn and Nisbet Plantation Beach Hotel (roughly). This road once connected the sugar plantations and today it's used for recreation. Of course, there are walks on the beach, under the stars, and historic walks through Charlestown. Guides will also give instruction in the local flora, fauna and the "bush medicines" that are still practiced by many locals.
On the water, there's fishing, kayaking, windsurfing, sailing, snorkeling, scuba diving, swimming and most recently, whale watching.
|
|
|
|
|
Travel Bag
Interested in writing content for Wcities?