Brimstone Hill Fortress National Park, St. Kitts

It's become a rule of visiting the Caribbean. Old forts have great views of the area - just as you'd expect with a little thought. Many of the forts in the region are now tourist attractions. Brimstone Hill Fortress qualifies; it has been turned into a national park. Even better, it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

One of the most impressive parts of the visit is the drive up the hill. This area wasn't exactly designed for tourism originally. The drive up the mountain can be a little scary in a good-sized bus, and some of the entrances are extremely narrow. I'm not saying the passengers had to inhale in order to get through the gap, but you get the idea.

Once inside the main area, a complex set of buildings remains for viewing. A map helps to explain the ruins, which include quarters for the men and officers, hospital, citadel, and other military areas. There is a Visitors' Centre, which has a nice video explaining the place and also contains the required gift shop. 

Brimstone Hill first went into the defense business in 1690, when the British figured out it would be a good place for a cannon. The French send 8,000 soldiers to capture the fort in 1782, and eventually claimed victory in about a month. However, all that effort was short-lived as the British got the island back in a treaty signed in 1783. The fort was abandoned in 1853. 

However, restoration efforts took place in the middle of the 20th century, and Prince Charles turned up in 1973 to dedicate the place. The area became a national park in 1987. It's an impressive site, with plenty of space to walk around and take in the scenery.

Someone said the place has the best views in the Caribbean. Judge for yourself.