Cruises to Nevis

Nevis is often lumped together with nearby St. Kitts and there are reasons, historic and contemporary, for that. Eons ago, the islands -- both discovered by Christopher Columbus in 1493 -- were actually part of the same landmass (they're now severed by a most miniscule two-mile-wide channel). Both were long part of the English empire; they achieved a level of independence in 1967 by becoming an associated state of Great Britain. They cut the cord pretty much entirely in 1983. Today, they share a government.

And it's true that both are dominated by sky-high mountains -- St. Kitts' Mt. Misery, at 3,750 ft., is higher than Nevis' Nevis Peak, at 3,232 ft., which means that the isles have their lush and green areas, frequently snagged by clouds.

Otherwise, you could say that as twins, St. Kitts and Nevis are far more fraternal than identical. The former is far more a bustling, touristic place (it's got the major airport and the deep water cruise ship harbor, complete with swanky new cruise terminal/shopping center); Nevis' appeal is in quieter pleasures.

Charlestown, its main city, is charming with its still-standing Victorian-style cottages and a general aura of peace, even downtown, that hovers over the place like a golden cloud. The fact that the Four Seasons developers -- picky as they are -- found an appeal in Nevis is significant in that it reinforces the fact that the island is naturally beautiful and that its people are quite welcoming.

And, as the Four Seasons folks undoubtedly figured out, fabulous beaches give Nevis at least one edge over its bigger sister isle. We found much to like in this sweet place that's relatively untouched by mass tourism, and plan to return for a longer stay.