With our three beautiful islands of St. Croix, St. John, and St. Thomas, the United States Virgin Islands offers something for everyone. Breathtaking beaches with emerald water. Secluded coves, pristine coral reefs, and untouched rainforests. Friendly people with a unique music, cuisine, and culture. Posh hotels, cozy inns, and unspoiled campgrounds. Wonderful restaurants, world-class shopping, and exciting festivals. Virgin Islands The island of St Thomas attracts big-name acts for its nightclubs, and offers some of the best shopping in the Caribbean. The 50,000 inhabitants are all keen to make their own contribution to the cheerful, upbeat tempo. Life in St Thomas centres around the harbor in the capital, Charlotte Amalie, where cruise ships, yachts and motor boats dock in armadas. Arriving visitors are confronted by warehouses full of goodies - and the regular American duty-free allowance is thoughtfully doubled for USVI purchases. There are two other populated islands in USVI, St Croix and St John, as well as 50 smaller islands and reefs. St Croix, the largest, has massive stone forts, Danish and Victorian buildings, historic plantations and Buck Island Reef National Monument. This is an 880-acre nature reserve with an underwater snorkelers' trail and an incredible diversity of marine life. St John is mostly forested and tranquil, and is protected from over-development. It is a particular favourite with campers, who enjoy its small-island charm and secluded beaches. Hotels and Resorts on the islands include some of the finest resorts in the Caribbean. St. Croix has two resorts with 18-hole championship golf courses, and one resort with a casino. St. John boasts elegant hotels surrounded by beautiful waters and pristine national park land. St. Thomas offers exquisite hotels to complement its world-famous duty-free shopping. Small hotels on each island are perfect for guests who want luxury service and amenities on a more intimate scale. Buck Island off of St. Croix is world famous for the beauty of its coral reefs and crystal-clear water. Two-thirds of St. John is protected by the National Park Service, and Cinnamon Bay, Maho Bay Camp, Harmony Resort, and the Concordia Eco-tents on the island offer alternative accommodations for environmentally conscious travelers. The U.S. Virgin Islands offers an endless array of sports and activities for our visitors. Scuba enthusiasts will find unspoiled coral reefs and historic shipwrecks. Golf lovers can take advantage of world-class courses, including courses designed by Robert Trent Jones and Tom Fazio. Whether you're seeking an adventure filled with snorkeling, hiking, and horseback riding, or a relaxing week of tennis, golf, and fishing, you'll find what you're looking for on our islands. Shops in the downtown areas are usually closed on Sundays, unless a cruise ship is in port. Shops at the larger hotels are usually open on Sundays. Look for bargains on perfume, liquor, cameras, china, porcelain, crystal, imported clothing, leather goods, watches, jewelry, and gold, as well as crafts made by local artisans. The U.S. Virgin Islands have daily, non-stop flights from New York, Newark, Baltimore, Atlanta, and Miami. Connecting flights are availabe to and from Chicago, Los Angeles, Dallas, New York, Miami, and Atlanta via the San Juan hub. In addition, there's connecting service from Canada, Europe, South America, and the Far East. Travel between the U.S. Virgin Islands is simple and convenient. St. John is just 20 minutes from St. Thomas by ferry. There is also daily direct service between St. Croix and St. Thomas by small plane. The trip takes about 25 minutes. http://www.caribbeanmag.com/search/U.S._Virgin_Islands/ en-us Copyright 1998 e-TravelMedia.com/CaribbeanMag.com Fri, 27 Nov 2009 14:10:07 EST http://www.caribbeanmag.com/search/U.S._Virgin_Islands/ Fri, 27 Nov 2009 14:10:07 EST The Virgin Islands, just 18° north of the equator, has a true tropical climate. The peak period for visiting is January through April. However, some of the best snorkeling is in early summer, when the whens are calm and the water flat. The U.S. Virgin Islands has year-round warm temperatures. With average temperatures ranging from 77°F in winter to 82°F in summer, the U.S. Virgin Islands is an ideal destination any time of the year. The hottest months are August and September, when the day temperatures can average in the 90s F/32-38 C. Winter is about 5 F/3 C cooler than the rest of the year, and it's a good idea to take a sweater for the evenings any time you visit: Trade winds blow continuously. Summer daytime temperatures range from the high 80s to low 90s, and winter temperatures range from the high 70s to low 80s. Expect rain all year long, with October and November being the wettest months, and February and March being the driest. There is more rain during the fall than at other times, but most rain, no matter what time of year, is confined to brief, intense showers. June-November is officially the hurricane season, though it's usually still a fine time to go (if you're worried that a hurricane might come through, get trip-cancellation insurance that covers inclement weather). Hurricane season centers around August and September. http://www.caribbeanmag.com/search/weather/U.S._Virgin_Islands/ Fri, 27 Nov 2009 14:10:07 EST http://www.caribbeanmag.com/search/car_rentals/U.S._Virgin_Islands/ Fri, 27 Nov 2009 14:10:07 EST Restaurants and Dining: http://www.caribbeanmag.com/search/restaurants/U.S._Virgin_Islands/ Fri, 27 Nov 2009 14:10:07 EST