Virgin Islands, U.S. Travel Guide
4/11/2008 at 11:30 AM
Tags: Virgin-Islands-Map, St. Croix, Restaurants, Islands, Caribbean Travel (all tags)
It's your last day on St. Croix and luckily you've been re-energized by the island-inspired dinner you had at Bacchus. You've also covered some of the sights, including the protected barrier reef at Buck Island, the pristine beach at Sandy Point and the beer-drinking pigs at the Domino Club.
Got time for one more adventure? Divers rejoice because St. Croix is home to some of the world's best underwater spots like the Wall at Cane Bay--a massive coral ledge that plunges to more than 3,200 feet.
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by David LaHuta
4/10/2008 at 12:05 PM
Tags: Virgin-Islands-Map, St. Croix, Restaurants, Islands, Caribbean Travel (all tags)
So you're nursing a hangover from yesterday's pit stop at the Domino Club--the laid-back rum shack in St. Croix's rainforest where you can feed pigs cans of beer--and you've already conquered the snorkeling at Buck Island and the waves at Sandy Point.
It's high time for a night on the town, Caribbean-style. If you're searching for island-inspired food and the longest wine list on St. Croix, then look no further than Restaurant Bacchus.
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by David LaHuta
4/09/2008 at 10:48 AM
Tags: Virgin-Islands-Map, St. Croix, Bars, Islands, Caribbean Travel (all tags)
It's day three on St. Croix and you've had way too much sun. After all, you spent the weekend on Sandy Point--by far one of the best beaches in the Caribbean--and the following day sailing on a catamaran before snorkeling the barrier reef at Buck Island.
It's time for a drink in the shade. Head to the Caldonia Rainforest on St. Croix's west end, where on Route 76--better known as Mahogany Road for the massive trees that flank each side--you'll find the Montpellier Domino Club, hands down the best rum shack on the island.
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by David LaHuta
4/08/2008 at 12:00 PM
Tags: Virgin-Islands-Map, St. Croix, Beaches, Islands, Sailing, Caribbean Travel (all tags)
So your first few days on St. Croix were spent lying on the beach, preferably at Sandy Point. Now what's a sun worshipper to do? Consider a day trip to Buck Island Reef National Monument, a 176-acre island that's surrounded by nearly 20,000 acres of protected coral reef.
Located nearly two miles off St. Croix's northern coast, Buck Island was declared a part of the national park system by John F. Kennedy in 1961. Since then, its barrier reef--which encircles two-thirds of the island--has thrived with coral and marine life, making it one of the premier spots in all of the US Virgin Islands to go snorkeling. But first you have to get there.
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by David LaHuta
4/07/2008 at 3:02 PM
Tags: Virgin-Islands-Map, St. Croix, Beaches, Islands, Caribbean Travel (all tags)
The largest of the three US Virgin Islands, St. Croix is the often forgotten sister of cruise ship-friendly St. Thomas and nature-loving St. John. But just because it sees the fewest tourists in the VI doesn't mean it's not worth a stop.
In addition to the Cruzan rum distillery--which produces quite possibly some of the best rum in the Caribbean--St. Croix is home to pristine beaches, world-class diving, and a vibrant restaurant scene. Trust me, there's a reason why I called the island home for nearly two years.
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by David LaHuta
3/25/2008 at 3:25 PM
Tags: Barack Obama, Celeb Travel, Caribbean Travel (all tags)
Perhaps he chose the U.S. Virgin Islands for the passport-free travel.
Senator Barack Obama is vacationing on St. Thomas, the most bustling of the U.S. Virgin Islands. Lots of shopping and cruise ship day-trippers there. He must want to be seen...we would have pegged him for a St. John/Caneel Bay sort of guy, ourselves.
CNN has some exclusive stalkercam footage of the senator lounging around and conducting business on his cell phone. Anyone recognize that pool chair? Could he be at the Ritz Carlton - St. Thomas?
Related Stories:
· Exclusive: Obama in St. Thomas [CNN]
· Travel Lessons From The Obama Passport Breach: Become Identity Vigilant [Jaunted]
· U.S. Virgin Islands official says Obama and family are there for a few days of 'down time' [AP]
by djk
2/06/2008 at 12:06 PM
Tags: Bar Refaeli, 2008 Swimsuit Issue, Marisa Miller, Oluchi Onweagba, Melissa Baker (all tags)
We just found out Marisa Miller, Oluchi Onweagba and Melissa Baker will show up in the 2008 SI Swimsuit Issue. A reliable source tells us the women were photographed on St. John at the Caneel Bay resort. They'll join Bar Refaeli, Brooklyn Decker and Carmella Garcia in the issue, which comes out Tuesday.
Miller is rumored to be a cover girl, and this isn't the first time we've followed her globe trotting. She was on-board a Virgin America charter flight back in November ahead of the in-flight PJ party the airline threw.
As for the island of St. John, it's a great place for some passport-free travel. Access is by ferry from St. Thomas, which should warm you up for the tranquil pace of life on the island. Once you're there, it's all about exploring Virgin Islands National Park.
Have any swimsuit issue tips?
Related Stories:
· Passport-Free Travel: St. John [Jaunted]
· Rockefeller Would Be Proud of Caneel Bay [HotelChatter]
· 2008 Swimsuit Issue coverage [Jaunted]
by pbb
1/24/2007 at 5:01 PM
Tags: Passports, Islands, Beaches, Caribbean, National Parks (all tags)
That's Rendezvous Bay on St. John, USVI, right there. The Bay is located right next to Virgin Islands National Park, which covers half of the island. The park, along with basically all of Dominica and El Yunque rain forest in Puerto Rico, is one of the Caribbean's most lush reserves. Admission is free. The only part of the park that'll cost you is Trunk Bay, where $4 gets you beach time and access to an snorkel trail. It's also where the crowds gather, but there are several other beaches in the park.
St. John's most well known hotels are Caneel Bay and the Westin. The latter is where you go to be seen, and the former is where you go to not be seen (it's famously low-key.) Both charge Caribbean prices, but our pick for an interesting St. John stay is the campground at Cinnamon Bay in the National Park. You can get a bare site there for $27, while tents are $58 in the off season and cottages start at $70. Did we mention that the campsite is right on the beach?
St. John must be reached by ferry from St. Thomas (where flight options are quite decent.) The U.S. Virgin Islands tourist board is wasting no time milking the no-passport angle. They should look into some Kenny Chesney Crossing road signs too. Not all of us want to bump into the famous St. John homeowner.
Related Stories:·
Virgin Islands National Park [Official Site]
·
Caneel Bay Hotel [HotelChatter]
·
Westin St. John Resort & Villas reviews [TripAdvisor]
by djk
