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Step onto the U.S. Virgin Islands—St. Croix,
St. John, St. Thomas, Water Island—and transcend to a time when pirates
roomed the cobblestone streets, sugar plantations supplied molasses for
the rum trade, and the cultures of different nations melded to form this
wonderful community.
With
hillsides and foliage as lush and abundant as the day Christopher
Columbus first arrived at Salt River more than 500 years ago, St.
Croix has escaped significant modern development. Colorful shops
and fine restaurants housed in old Danish-built structures line the
island’s wide streets, and historic churches still remain from the days
when the island was a prosperous commercial port. Throughout
Christiansted and Frederiksted, the island’s two waterfront towns,
distinctly European 18th-century architecture reflects a period in
history when seven flags—Spanish, Dutch, British, French, Knights of
Malta, Danish and American—flew at different times over the island.
What word does one lend
the 11,560 acres of largely undeveloped sparkling beaches, private
lagoons, nature trails and lush foliage that both complement the two
larger sister islands and complete this beautiful Caribbean trio? It is
“serene,” and that is the hallmark of the island of St. John.
Just a 45-minute boat ride from St. Thomas’ Charlotte Amalie, this
smallest of the three U.S. Virgin Islands was once a thriving
agricultural society established in the early 1700s by Danish settlers
attracted by the island’s lucrative prospects of cultivating sugar
cane. More than 100 cotton and sugar plantations flourished throughout
all three U. S. Virgin Islands during the 18th and 19th
centuries, but the emancipation of slaves in 1848 led to the
plantations’ eventual decline. What remains are the quaint towns of
Cruz Bay and Coral Bay, each dotted with unique shops, interesting
eateries, and the feeling of being amongst friends.
Charlotte Amalie harbor
is the perfect place for travelers to begin their journey through St.
Thomas’ history. Stretched along the waterfront, restored 17th-
and 18th-century warehouses ¾ once used to hold molasses,
rum, spices and other trade goods awaiting export ¾ now house a variety
of exclusive shops containing modern-day treasures. Yet after
navigating through the narrow byways of downtown Charlotte Amalie’s
historic shopping district, visitors to St. Thomas still have much of
the island’s historical significance to explore.
Water
Island,
the least know of the Virgins, is a short ferry ride from the Sub-base
area of St. Thomas. Encompassing 496 acres, the tiny island sits in
Charlotte Amalie’s Harbor, offering a taste of undiscovered purity. No
hustle and bustle exists here. Taxes and duty-free shopping are
non-existent, but a bike tour will lead you past the lookouts and
historic fortifications to the beautiful Honeymoon Beach.
Accommodations from
luxury resorts to eco-friendly properties are available for your
choosing. Visitors to the USVI have much to see and even more to do when
vacationing. Whether soaking up the sun on one of its many beautiful
beaches, shopping in the downtown areas, touring historical sites,
participating in local festivals, experiencing the adventure, enjoying
the music and sampling the cuisine, vacationers have much to fill their
days on the island. Delve into the site to
Discover the U.S. Virgin Islands.
The
official
guide
to
US Virgin Island
Hotels,
Resorts,
B&B Inns &
Ecolodges
on
St. Thomas,
St. John
&
St. Croix
from the
US Virgin Islands Hotel & Tourism Association
St Thomas Hotels
& Resorts
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& Inns
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