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Kantours Vacation & Tour Consultants has been at the forefront of destination management in St Kitts and Nevis for over twenty years. With an office on Liverpool Row in Basseterre and another just outside town at Bird Rock (and with a branch in Charlestown, Nevis), the company offers a good range of services for today’s traveller. They will arrange airport transfers, organise a wedding for you and sort out a St Kitts tour. They can also arrange day excursions for sightseeing and shopping trips to other islands in the area such as Antigua or St Martin. They have their own IATA licensed travel agency, which allows them to book airline tickets worldwide through SABRE and AMADEUS systems. They operate shore excursions for cruise ships and organise events, including conferences and the on-island organisation of incentive groups. Finally they also provide tour operator representation for in-bound travel organisers.
Started in the 1980s by Terese Walwyn, Kantours grew out of Antours. It was purchased in 1995 by Delisle Walwyn & Co Ltd, the oldest privately owned limited liability company in St Kitts and it is still a subsidiary of that company. Delisle Walwyn, which still provides insurance and shipping services, was created in 1951 by a merger of ES De Lisle, a shipping and general merchant started in 1857, and WE Walwyn, an insurance agency founded in the 1880s.
As an individual traveller you are most likely to come across Kantours through their island tours and their personal concierge services, which they offer on request. The company also caters to groups. Kantours have a wedding co-ordinator who can tailor-make the entire event for you, large or small and they can also arrange a conference for several hundred people. They have long experience in handling incentive and convention groups, and are able to organise outside activities for delegates and also cater for non-participants.
The team at Kantours numbers around half a dozen. It is led by General Manager, Clarita Richards, who has been with the company since 1995 and can speak French, Italian and some Spanish. Other members of staff include Amanda Pemberton, Shore Excursions Co-ordinator, Pearlina Sharry, Weddings, Groups and Ground handling Co-ordinator and Cynthia Maynard, the Manager of the Travel Department. Their Co-ordinator of Nevis Operations is Denesia Clement. |
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Concierge Service
A concierge service can be a convenient help for an independent traveller that wants to arrange something a little extra. The personal advice can help to get the best of the island and if you are travelling in a group, then the assistance can take the weight off your shoulders by assuring the proficient execution of arrangements. While Kantours has no formal programme of Concierge Services on offer, they are happy to make arrangements on an individual basis (with a small service charge). Simply let them know what you would like arranged and they will arrange it. Suggested services are restaurant bookings, meet and greet on your arrival at the airport, ordering and delivery of cakes, wine or champagne, flowers or fruit baskets. They can also help with booking private entertainment and catering for a special celebration and tours of St Kitts or a day trip to a neighbouring island.
Please contact Kantours directly for details and a price for your specific requirements. |
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Destination Management
Destination Management is a service generally provided to travel organisers, but independent travellers may be interested to see the sort of services that are included in a ‘package’ or flight-inclusive holiday booked through a tour operator/travel organiser. In the UK and Europe it is a legal requirement for all companies selling flight-inclusive holiday packages to provide a local representative/ground handler for their clients, together with 24-hour emergency cover.
Kantours look after most of the top Caribbean specialist tour operators/wholesalers and their clients. They provide a comprehensive service, which is tailored specifically to portray the company’s image to their clients, which saves the tour companies the expense of supporting their own representative on St Kitts and Nevis.
Services offered by Kantours to travel companies, tour operators, wholesalers, corporate and incentive groups include:
• Confirmation of hotel bookings pre client arrival
• Airport Meet and Greet by a uniformed rep
• Welcome package
• Welcome meeting in resort/hotel
• Airport/pier porterage and baggage handling
• Ground Transfers – air-conditioned, private or shared
• Hospitality Desk
• Restaurant recommendation
• Excursions and tours
• Inter-island travel by ferry
• Airline reservations and ticketing
• Flight reconfirmation
• In-resort assistance with 24 hour emergency telephone contact
• Scheduled hotel/resort visits
• Arrange gifts for clients
• Airport assistance on departure
• Holiday and destination reports
• Co-ordination of travel agent ‘fam’ trips, press trips and hotel site inspections
While most of their tours and transfers are run in conjunction with the taxi associations, Kantours do have a small fleet of their own vehicles, including a minivan, a Dodge Caravan and a coaster bus which also has wheelchair capacity. |
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Tours
Kantours can arrange or book not only St Kitts tours and excursions (including offshore excursions and sailing trips) to suit you or your company’s requirements but also trips to St Kitts’ sister island Nevis and even shopping trips to nearby St Martin. Below we set out just a few examples of some of the regular excursions on offer in St Kitts that Kantours recommends.
Please read our printable guides to St Kitts and Nevis for more details of some of the places and activities mentioned. Both sets of guides illustrate well the breadth and depth of this twin island state, which has a wealth of both historic and natural places of interest, including the amazing Brimstone Hill, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. If you wish to go ‘private’, any tour can be adapted and arranged to suit individual or company requirements and a vehicle to suit the number in your party (along with a chauffer/guide) will be provided.
Most of these tours are arranged in conjunction with the taxi associations.
St Kitts Island Tour
Learn about the history of Independence Square and The Circus in the capital Basseterre, then travel north along the west coast to Bloody Point, Old Road to view the Carib petroglyphs, Romney Manor and Caribelle Batik and Brimstone Hill Fortress and National Park. Then you cross to the east coast, passing through Dieppe Town and on to Bellevue Village and the volcanic formations known as Black Rocks. This tour can be offered in French and German (with a recorded cassette). Duration 3-4 hours. Cost - shared US$25 per person/Private US$90, excluding entrance fees.
St Kitts Scenic Railway Tour
A unique way to see St Kitts aboard a specially designed train which travels along a narrow-gauge railway track originally built for the transportation of sugar cane. The track encircles the entire north section of St Kitts, and you can view the passing countryside from one of the five air-conditioned coaches which also have an open-air upper deck. Each car has a service bar and restrooms. Duration 3½ hours. Cost US$89 per person, children 3-11 yrs US$44. Excludes hotel transfers.
Off the Beaten Track
An informative combination tour by jeep which takes you off-road through old sugar estates and the edge of the rainforest to view ruins of a sugar factory, windmills and an old plantation estate house. Also a visit inside an 18th century lodge filled with antiques. Duration 2½ hours. Cost US$55 per person.
Horseback Riding
Guided trail ride through the rainforest. Duration 3-3½ hours. Cost US$60 per person including soft drink.
Rain Forest HikeSkirting the slopes of Mt Liamuiga the hike travels takes you through the rainforest and its mountain streams, where you get to see and learn about the local vervet monkeys, flora and bird life. A reasonable level of physical fitness is required. Duration 3½ hours. Cost US$50.00 per person.
Volcano Hike
A challenging and rewarding hike through the rainforest and up to the top of Mt Liamuiga’s crater rim at 2800ft above sea level. On a cloudless day bubbling hot springs can be seen down in the crater. Expect to get wet and dirty. A good level of physical fitness is required plus you will need a stout pair of comfortable walking shoes, long trousers (pants) and a light jacket/sweater, plus a change of shirt/T-shirt is recommended. Duration 5 hours. Cost US$55 per person. Water provided.
Catamaran Cruise
Full day cruise aboard a catamaran with an open bar, starting with a sail along the coast of St Kitts’ South East Peninsular to one of the secluded bays for snorkelling. Then a sail across The Narrows to Nevis for a barbecue and afternoon on the beach. Duration 7 hours. Cost US$80 per person including drinks, lunch and transfers.
A 3½ hour Sunset Cruise costs US$50 per person drinks included.
Kayaking and SnorkellingAfter snorkelling in one of St Kitts’ secluded bays, paddle your way along the South East Peninsular in a self-bailing, sit-on-top, Ocean Kayak, whilst discovering remote bays, nesting sea birds, monkeys and maybe turtles. Duration approximately 4 hours. Cost US$40 per person including drinks and snacks.
Nevis Island Tours
Take the ferry across to Nevis for a day of sightseeing and visit Hamilton House, the Museum of Nevis History, Nelson Museum and the Botanical Gardens. Cost from US$58-70.50 per person with a minimum of 4 persons required.
Note: All prices are in US$ per person for regular excursions on offer in St Kitts and Nevis and are subject to change without notice. Please add US$1.50 Government Tax to all listed tours. An EC$1 per person tax is collected at the ferry terminal for tours in Nevis. Please check with Kantours for confirmation of costs and excursion contents. |
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Cruise Ships
St Kitts has a modern cruise ship terminal at Port Zante, Basseterre, which is seeing an ever increasing number of large cruise ships putting in for the day. It is one of only two ports in the Caribbean which is currently able to allow the Queen Mary II to berth alongside its pier. Port Zante has a selection of duty free shops and restaurants and is only a short stroll into the heart of town where Kantours has its offices. Kantours is a regular supplier of St Kitts shore excursions for cruise ship passengers, and should a local shipping agent be required, Cruise Ship Agency Services can be provided by parent company Delisle Walwyn & Co Ltd, which has a long history of shipping. |
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Weddings & Event Planning
Kantours will work with you to ensure a most memorable St Kitts wedding day or renewal of wedding vows ceremony. They can arrange anything from a simple beachfront wedding to a grand ceremony in, say, one of the island’s magical historical or natural settings. They can also help if you would like a more formal ceremony in a church, or in one of the romantic plantation inns.
Two of the most popular locations for St Kitts weddings include the awe inspiring Brimstone Hill Fortress and National Park (a UNESCO World Heritage Site), which has a number of locations to choose from, and Romney Manor, which has 12 acres of beautiful botanical gardens and a backdrop of old sugar estate ruins and rainforest. Other settings you might consider are South Friar’s Bay, a very pretty beach, and Turtle Beach, where there is a beach bar. You might even marry on board the scenic railway or on a catamaran. Another option is to get married on Nevis, for instance on Pinney’s Beach or in the delightful botanical gardens there.
The great thing about working with a wedding organiser is that they can take all the effort and stress out of organisation, allowing you to enjoy your holiday and the day itself. Kantours have a number of packages to offer but they can also tailor-make weddings to your requirements. Their wedding co-ordinator will liaise with you before you arrive on island, making suggestions to fit your ideas and putting it all in place. When you reach St Kitts they will take you through the documentation to fulfil government regulations and then enact everything you have planned together, providing flowers, a cake, music, a photographer, a dinner and transportation as needed. With their experience in dealing with incentive and conference groups, Kantours can arrange everything from the simplest ceremony to a large wedding that requires cocktail parties, receptions and wedding dinners with outside caterers if necessary. It may be worth noting that marriage in a Protestant church is relatively simple, but if you wish to marry in a Catholic Church there will be quite a bit of planning in advance. Please see under Legal Requirements for St Kitts Weddings below.
WEDDING PACKAGES
Kantours specialises in off-property weddings however a simple wedding which will normally be conducted where you are staying starts at around US$500 for the basics. The ceremony can be as elaborate as you wish, so costs will vary. Kantours prefers to treat each wedding request individually, so that your day can be tailor-made to suit your own specific requirements. At all times you will have the full services of their wedding co-ordinator, who will accompany you throughout your wedding procedures, having taken care of requirements (such as your marriage licence) prior to your arrival.
Optional Wedding Extras:
Champagne
Sparkling wine
Caribbean wedding cake
Decorated car
Photographer
Videographer
Steel band
Defence Force Band
Personal assistant for dress and makeup
Hairdresser
Additional flowers: buttonhole, corsage, posy
Transportation for guests
LEGAL REQUIREMENTS FOR ST KITTS WEDDINGS
Here are the official regulations and legal requirements for getting married on St Kitts and Nevis. The documents must be presented to the Kantours Wedding Coordinator three full working days prior to the wedding day:
Residency - couples are required to be on St Kitts or Nevis for two full working (week) days before the wedding day, however do note it will take three full working days for the completion of all administrative and legal requirements. There are exceptions for visiting cruise ship passengers wishing to get married when arriving in port by pre-arrangement.
Both parties must have a valid passport (photo ID USA and Canada) and birth certificate (original or certified copy).
If either party is divorced, a decree absolute must be presented. If documents are not in English they must be accompanied by a notarized translation.
If either party is widowed, a copy of the death certificate of the deceased spouse must be presented.
If the ceremony is to be performed by a Catholic priest, it must take place in a Catholic Church, and a letter must come from the couple's parish priest verifying that they are unmarried and have received the necessary counselling sessions. You will also need to submit the necessary Catholic documents to the local Bishop (based in Antigua).
If an Anglican priest or other minister of religion is to perform the ceremony, a letter must come from the couple's parish minister verifying that they are known and unmarried. It the couple is resident in St Kitts and Nevis for the stipulated period, a notary public and a marriage officer will have to be paid. Charges vary from officer to officer.
If the couple is resident on St Kitts and Nevis for the minimum period of two working days prior to the marriage, the Special License fee is US$200; if the couple is there for 15 days, the Ordinary License fee is only US$50.
If parties have never been married before an affidavit is required confirming single status and can be obtained from a Notary Public in the home country or on island for a cost of US$20 or EC$50 (compulsory on Nevis and optional on St Kitts).
If your documents are not in English they must be accompanied by a notarized translation.
The wedding ceremony can be performed between the hours of 6am and 6pm if performed by a religious person and between 8am and 6pm if performed by a Magistrate. |
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Corporate Travel / Incentives
St Kitts offers some interesting options for group travel, both for corporate meetings and conferences, and for incentive trips. There are improving international air links and so the island is quite easy to get to, with onward flights from nearby Antigua and also Puerto Rico, and there is a range of resort conference facilities to cater to groups of all sizes. There are also good opportunities for activities around a conference, with side-trips, places to visit and the introduction of new facilities for spectator sports such as cricket and horseracing. There is a first rate golf course. There are also some excellent plantation inns, which have real style and top notch service and would make an impressive retreat for a small, top level board meeting. If you need something with a more standard international style, with convention and entertainment facilities to cater for groups of almost 1000, then that is also available.
Kantours have the knowledge and experience of handling groups of up to 250 for conventions, conferences and incentives and they will help to locate the right venue and create a suitable programme for your needs. They offer a range of services that includes airport meet and greet, ground transfers, hospitality desk, tours and excursions, receptions, customised theme parties, cruises, entertainment, team-building activities, VIP room gifts, dine-arounds, spouse activities, guest speakers and photographic services. |
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Contact Details
If you would like to make further enquiries or a reservation for services, please use the WEB LINK or DIRECT EMAIL ENQUIRIES facility at the top of this page to make contact with Kantours Vacation & Tour Consultants on St Kitts and Nevis. If you wish to telephone them, their telephone number will be revealed if you click on the CONTACT TELEPHONE NUMBER link. |
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