Despite its small size, the twin island nation of St. Kitts and Nevis offers everything travelers expect of a classic Caribbean paradise and more. Both islands are trimmed with ecru beaches on the Caribbean coast, while vaulting cliffs, hissing blowholes, and volcanic rock formations line the rugged Atlantic side. The islands are stunningly lush, the vegetation running from fields of waving sugarcane to rainforests crawling up extinct volcanoes.

Thanks to their rich soil and strategic location, the islands were coveted territory as far back as the indigenous Caribs, who named St. Kitts Liamuiga, or "fertile island." They also display the rich cultural legacy of many nations, as the Spanish, English, and French engaged in a bloody colonial tug-of-war over them.

Christopher Columbus was the first foreigner to gaze upon St Kitts and Nevis's shores. In 1493, on his second voyage to the New World, Columbus spied the perfect cone of 3,232-foot (1,174-meter) Mt. Nevis, whose clouds perpetually shroud its summit. Struck by its resemblance to the peaks of the Pyrenees, Columbus named the island Nieves, which means "snows." The British and French soon followed, and their architectural heritage lives on in the formidable Brimstone Hill Fortress on St. Kitts and the Georgian capitals of Basseterre (St. Kitts) and Charlestown (Nevis).

Nevis proved such a desirable agricultural commodity that it became the Caribbean's most prosperous port-of-call in the mid-17th century. St. Kitts is often called the "Mother Colony," from which English settlers sailed to Antigua, Tortola, and Montserrat. After numerous bloody battles, the British finally wrested control of the islands from the French in 1783. Along with Anguilla, the islands were declared a self-governing Associated State of Great Britain in 1967. St. Kitts and Nevis achieved independence as a sister state in 1983.

Fortunately, the islands have been spared the over-development of most of their neighbors. Indeed, green vervet monkeys (brought by the French as pets) vastly outnumber the 45,000 residents (35,000 on St. Kitts and 10,000 on Nevis). The islands' most prized lodgings are the unique and exquisitely restored plantation house inns owned by delightful British and American expatriates. The old-style traditions of afternoon tea or gathering for cocktails on the verandah are common. There are only two major resorts and despite plans to build a major hotel, so far the lovely beaches on the southeast peninsula of St. Kitts remain unspoiled.

Even with more aggressive marketing and increased tourism, the islands are laid-back. The accommodations cater primarily to divers, there are several splendid sites around the islands; eco-tourists who enjoy the superb hiking; and families looking for a low-key, affordable holiday; and aficionados of less visited islands. Thanks to their proximity, it's easy to visit both in one trip.

The friendliness of the island residents is also a draw. The islands' prosperity and strong infrastructure make travel easier than in some other Caribbean countries. Ironically, the two islands have been squabbling for years about separating. Nevis continually threatens to secede, but with so many Kit titians owning second homes Nevis, relations should remain cordial.