On a frost on the morning of January, I set up a ride-share towards O’He In International Airport, through a bumper-to-bumper traffic that is the interstate highway 90 in Rush Hour.
Rapid forward in a few hours: I Cyril E in St. Thomas. Got at the King Airport, congratulated an open air airport and an aggressively cheerful sun.
As I stepped on Tarmac, I immediately realized that a human popsical -like nervousness was melting into a puddle. The sudden attack of heat and sunshine seemed almost strange, yet strangely delightful.
At lunch, I had completely embraced the island mindset. Rum Swizal in hand, I kicked the poolside back, while toasting the joy of the journey.
Whether you are looking for adventure, relaxation or just a small relief from winter, US Virgin Islands – St. Thomas, St. John and St. Cricks – Have you covered.
Located in the Caribbean Sea east of Pureto Rico, the island claims year -long tropical weather, ancient white sand beaches and turquoise water.
And it is easy to use tropical paradise.
No passport requires
United Airlines and American Airlines offer daily direct flights from O’He to St. Thomas. Plan to immerse hop and sunlight on a dawn flight in Chicago and a Bushkar in the sun – a mixture of bhogi cocktails, coconut creams, coffee and rum in 1975 – invented on the island – on the beach by noon.
And the best part? You do not even need passport. As an American region, a trip to the Virgin Islands is like traveling to another state; Just pack your bags and prepare for heaven.
Initially settled by Sibni, Arwak and Caribs, the islands were later claimed by European powers that before Denmark sold to the United States in 1917.
Three main islands have a unique attraction and geography. St. Thomas is famous for its rugged area, picturesque port and vibrant coral reefs. St. John, the youngest of the three in about 20 square miles, is known for its unspecified beauty because the two-thirds of the island is preserved as the Virgin Islands National Park. The largest islands, St. Crokes, are included in the diverse natural landscapes ranging from rolling hills to Flatlands, while its attractive cities, Christiansteed and Fredericustad, are dotted with colored, danish colonial architecture.
Island-style discount
When Scott and Nikki Shlatez’s last child blows up the nest, they started a new chapter of their own. He docked his Chicago house in Long Bay, St. Thomas for 44 sailing for a live-in leopard, and traded his job in emergency medicine and education for life on high seas. His new enterprise, Sol Sikar, offers personal sailing charters.
“Life is small and unexpected,” said Nikki Shlatez. “My husband loves me very much to make a jump and came with crazy ideas to run charters and stay on a boat. Once we decided, we were all in. The island life is definitely different. We spend most of our time enjoying nature out: scuba diving, snorkeling, paddle boarding, kayaking or hiking. Every day is an adventure on islands. ,
“We had a group of doctors and surgeons last week,” said Shlatez. “For the first time he can remember in a very long time. Others were able to escape and relax completely. A true holiday helps you to ’empty’ your everyday life, if only for a few days. The attraction of the islands not only lies in their beauty, but also allows visitors to fully recharge, in their ability to calm the mind and body easily. ,
Dive into heaven
Crystals around the islands support a complex system of solving the clear water coral reefs, one of the top sites in the world for underwater and on-the-warters adventures.
Swim in St. Thomas, snorkel or kayak brooers bay beach and see if you can see the sea turtles that call this cool bay a home. Or build sandcast in sandcast in the weekends of one of the most family-friendly beaches in the US Virgin Islands, on-duty lifeguards, changing and shower facilities and plenty of picnic tables Thank you.
Floral with manta rays at Sandy Point National Wildlife Refuge in St. Cricks or find Salt River Bay National Historical Park and ecological protection in a year riding in a kayak. The movement of your paddle through water causes the glow of the bay, bioluminent organisms to move and spin the underwater stars.
St. John has more than 40% of the Virgin Islands National Park under water. Scuba divers and snorkers are invited to set the world’s first marked underwater trail, the coral reef underwater park trail to set a “hike” on a underwater “hike”, located away from the coastline in the picturesque trunk bay. The easy-to-the-to-wheel trail has been marked with a water-plated piece that directs you to snork and it also has fun on sea turtles, eagle rays, parrots, barakuda and other attractive sea creatures. There are called bay homes.
To see a pen catching underwater fish to cinnamon bay of Snorkal National Park – possibly created by Teno indigenous people or their ancestors – as well as a submerged historical village and even one drowned since the 1940s. Also aircraft. Employees on the front desk of cinnamon bay campground can indicate you in the right direction and provide maps for underwater and for the increase of land.
Cultural treasure
With its strategic place to East of Puerto Rico, the US Virgin Islands have historically been a melting pot of civilizations, which today contributes to its vibrant, multicultural environment.
The statue of three Queens in Charlotte Amali is in a historic park, with the liberation of slaves and three courageous local women, 1878 Fireburn Labor Riot leader, Queen Mary, Queen Egnes and Queen Maithilda. Better work and living status for agricultural laborers.
In addition, in Charlotte Amali, the Hebrew Circle of St. Thomas is one of the oldest additions in continuous use in the Western Hemisphere. Built in 1833, it has a mahogany puez, a domed roof and a sand -covered floor that is part of the Jewish tradition of Mafling during Gupta Puja.
The 12 -acre assets on St. CRICS were the Once Chinese plantation working once. Today, it is a living museum where visitors can meet the tradition of St. Cricks Bierlers as they share local music, food and handicraft traditions.
The peace hill of the colonial era in St. John provides a broad view of Hoxnest Bay and Dennis Bay and Trunk Bay in the east. Once a working Pawanchqi used for sugar production in the former Dennis Bay Plantation, today, the site hosts community meditation ceremonies every Sunday at sunset.
getting around
Rent cars are popular for those who want freedom to find at their own pace, especially on large islands such as St. Crocs and St. Thomas. Taxis are widely available and can easily go on the road or arranged through hotels and restaurants. But for the experience of a true island, hop, open-air vehicles on “safari” buses that provide an affordable way to travel with the main routes.
The islands are all repeatedly associated with boating service, which makes the inter-Isalland trip comfortable, but you can also choose for a seplay, perhaps the island is the best way to hop.
where to stay
The US Virgin Islands provide a variety of housing. For luxury seekers, there is a spa in the Reef of Ritz-Karlton St. Thomas and Westin Beach Resort and Frenchman. Mid-range options such as environmentally-friendly Green Iguana Hotel or Family Bolongo Bay Beach Resort, both in St. Thomas, provide value. A lot of AirBNB fare on the islands includes all types of accommodation under the Caribbean Sun, from attractive beach cottages to luxury villas. In the only campsite cinnamon bay campground located within the US Virgin Islands National Park, visitors may experience the camp overnight from bare sites to eco-tents with direct access to beautiful beach.