An Anecdote for the U.S. Presidential Election: George Washington's Nevis Vacation

As the 2012 U.S. Presidential election is now history, the thought of relaxing may conjure images of just letting everything go and finding an island to unwind. An island with warm welcoming people, where meals are memorable, accommodations are exceptional and beaches are impeccable. If there were an award for such an island Nevis would surely win. Or so say the readers of Condé Nast Traveler magazine who voted Nevis the number one island in the Caribbean in the November issue with their 2012 Readers Choice Awards.

Known for its appeal with both luxury and affordable accommodations, Nevis is not some flashy island swayed by passing trends. Eight miles long and six miles wide, the island was spotted by Columbus on his voyage to the Americas in 1493 and he named it Nuestra Señora de las Nieves or Our Lady of the Snows because the cloud-shrouded top of its volcanic peak reminded him of the snow-capped mountains of Spain. Once colonized, its fertile soil made fortunes for the owners of the sugar plantations. They built opulent mansions and in the 18th century, Nevis’ hot mineral springs made it the leading spa destination of the West Indies and the fashionable place to holiday. This volcanic island is the birthplace of Alexander Hamilton, the American statesman who was George Washington's treasury secretary and it is said, Washington visited to soak in Nevis’ hot springs. Nevis is also the island on which Admiral Horatio Lord Nelson married Frances Nisbet, a local widow, in 1787, an episode described in James Michener's Caribbean.

When you arrive in here, your real journey into an authentic Caribbean experience begins. Nevis has the inimitable blend of being stylish, serving up classic West Indian hospitality. Secluded, small and verdant, famed for its natural beauty, the island is dominated by Nevis Peak that descends from a misty summit to a circle of fine white-sand beaches. Nevis’ pleasing tropical weather and cool breezes are a perfect match for activities that range from windsurfing to mountain biking. Most accommodations on the island have swimming pools, many have tennis courts and spas, access to the Robert Trent Jones ll 18 hole golf course, a range of water sports including water skiing, snorkeling and guided reef tours.

For less arduous activities, there is the charming waterfront capital of Charlestown to browse shops and to photograph the town’s well-preserved colonial architecture. The Philatelic Bureau has an enviable stamp collection - - some of the most sought-after in the world - - and there is much to be learned at the Museum of Nevis History and the Alexander Hamilton Museum. A stroll through the Nevis Botanical Gardens is always a relaxing option. Taste the tropics at Mansa’s Last Stop Organic Farm and choose from his fresh pineapple and mango juices or ginger beer. A visit to the Nevisian Heritage Village provides a glimpse into the evolution of Nevisian social history. Take an eco excursion to Peak Heaven 1,200 feet above sea level, for a panoramic, bird’s eye view of the island.

Nevis has welcomed a new wave of society including the millionaire philanthropist Anne Bass and her partner, the painter Julian Lethbridge; the artist Jennifer Bartlett and the model Lauren Hutton. Whether you saw November 6th as a finish line or the starting point, leave everything behind and commemorate this milestone election with one well considered choice, an unforgettable visit to Nevis.

Follow the fashion started by George Washington and Alexander Hamilton because nothing is typical about accommodations here. From relaxed self-catering apartments, cozy guest houses, luxurious rental villas, historic plantation inns to an award-winning five-star resort, the island offers a full range of accommodations, each with its own distinctive character. The mahoganied plantation inns, discreetly hidden away in exotic gardens on the slopes of Nevis Peak, are becoming a secret address for celebrities and the discerning travelers who shun overpopulated islands. Originally designed with sugar barons in mind, the legacies of the sugar industry have been recycled into delightful estates and its grander plantation houses have been restored and are run as stylish and comfortable retreats.

In an age when the greatest luxury is a few hours of quiet, for a few blissful days embrace the fine art of letting go and bask in the calm of island life in Nevis. And because there is no such thing as a one-size-fits-all vacation, hotels on the island - - Four Seasons Resort, Nevis, www.fourseasons.com/nevis; Golden Rock Inn, www.golden-rock.com; Hermitage Plantation Inn, www.hermitagenevis.com; Hurricane Cove Bungalows, www.hurricanecove.com; Montpelier Plantation & Beach, www.montpeliernevis.com; Mount Nevis Hotel, www.mountnevishotel.com; Nelson Spring Beach Resort, www.nelsonspringbeachresort.com; Nisbet Plantation Beach Club, www.nisbetplantation.com; and Oualie Beach Hotel www.oualiebeach.com - - have custom-tailored packages with special savings so a Nevis vacation will fit within your budget.

Getting to Nevis from the U.S. is simple. Several U.S. carriers offer non-stop service from the major gateway cities to St. Kitts with a 7 minute connection by air or a 20 minute ride by ferry. Hotels will happily arrange ferry transfers to and from St. Kitts.

American Airlines flies from Miami to St. Kitts daily and they are enhancing this service by adding two non-stop flights on Fridays and Sundays. American Airlines also has non-stop service from New York to St. Kitts on Sundays and Wednesdays. US Airways has service from Charlotte to St. Kitts on Saturdays and Delta also flies from Atlanta to St. Kitts on Saturdays. Continental, Delta, United Airlines, USAir and JetBlue provide service from several U.S. cities to San Juan, Puerto Rico with convenient connections to Nevis on Cape Air and Air Sunshine.

Nevis is part of the Federation of St. Kitts & Nevis and is located in the Leeward Islands of the West Indies. For more information about the island of Nevis, please contact the Nevis Tourism Authority, USA Tel 1.407.287.5204 or visit our website www.nevisisland.com.