In Italian

Why choose to visit the US Virgin Islands?

For the turquoise and the blue of the sea neighboring them, of course.

For the sand – in some traits it’s very fine, in other ones it’s granular – of their very white beaches, among which even three are placed with the 10 most beautiful beaches in the world by the National Geographic.

For one among the most wonderful coral reef in the Caribbean; for the hot weather (generous even in Summer) and for the sun that is always able to win the short, refreshing storms going through here in the rainy season.

Visit the US Virgin Islands: welcome to St. Thomas

Few words, a quick description that alone it would be enough to motivate the journey, maybe accompanied by some of the most suggestive shoots resuming my 10 days in these wonderful islands.

And what about if I tell you there’s much more, very much more?

Something which makes these islands even more deserving of a long stay compared to all the other ones in the Caribbean (anyway very beautiful).

Visit the US Virgin Islands: St. John, Trunk Bay

Visit the US Virgin Islands: reflections

During my stay at the US Virgin Islands I received – a thing that often happens when I tell about USA destinations live but never in a such great number like happened this time – an important number of private messages, comments on the posts and also emails where I was asked if these islands really were the paradise I was telling about on the social networks.

If they really offered that variety of landscapes, cultures, traditions and activities I told about in my socials live with plenty of words, photos, and videos sometimes.

Here it is my answer, my first impressions – then the detailed itineraries will arrive, too – and some cues and reflections about why it is worth it to enjoy the experience of the US Virgin Islands (because I prefer to think about the exploration of these islands as an experience of senses and impressions more then about a journey).

Visit the US Virgin Islands: St. Thomas, room with a view of Charlotte Amalie

Visit the US Virgin Islands: St. John, sunset from the Gallows Point

Why visit the US Virgin Islands: first impressions

For the uncontaminated nature that right on these islands it seems to have given its best.

For the paths peeped out from nothing – passages through the thick vegetation created by the Natives to link mountains to the sea, well-trodden by English, Spanish and then Danish people – crossing forests, charming ruins of cane plantations, ancient villages, archaeological sites and unexpected colonies of crabs and hermit crabs (a unique and precious view that nature gives to whom covers the whole way as far as the sea) which going up beaches searching for a safe place where to nest.

Visit the US Virgin Islands: Trekking in St. John

Visit the US Virgin Islands: rupestrian inscriptions in St. John

Visit the US Virgin Islands: hermit crabs in St. John

For the colonisations which followed one another, for the revolts of the black slaves of the ancient plantations that took into those lands – even before than in America – the slavery’s abolition: it’s an event that still today people celebrate during the Emancipation Day.

For the pirates and buccaneers deeds which have made these islands their landing place for years and for what that involved over centuries, literature and movies included.

Visit the US Virgin Islands: St. Thomas, Blackbeard’s Castle

Visit the US Virgin Islands: St. Thomas, Drake’s Seat

Visit the US Virgin Islands: cues and reflections

An intense history, in traits difficult and charming.

A melting pot of cultures and traditions, a mix of ethnic groups and savors.

A melting pot which deserves to be explored and enjoyed to be able to understand how all this comes from the natural predisposition to sharing and acceptance of every difference of this population.

Visit the US Virgin Islands: the typical characters of the St. Croix Carnival

Visit the US Virgin Islands: tastings, savors, traditions and spices in St. Thomas

And even decide to visit the US Virgin Islands for the colonial architecture, the arcades of the old downtowns where walking to shelter from sun and rain, for the fresh, tough and colored stone and stucco buildings (coming from the ships’ holds from the half world).

For the narrow cobbled paving roads and the old streetlights that lighting up at sunset allow the visitor to find himself, as if by magic, in a remote era among old taverns (today they are places, stores and restaurants where to taste the most typical cuisine) crowded by pirates and adventurers searching for rum – strictly Cruzan – drinking partners, cues and – why not? – treasure’s maps.

Visit the US Virgin Islands: Christiansted, colonial arcades

Visit the US Virgin Islands: Cruzan Rum distillery

Visit the US Virgin Islands: colonial buildings in Fredericksted

And at the end for that warm, innate welcome and for those genuine smiles which will accompany every move among the islands. For that tepid breeze which will envelop you at sunset.

And for those longing sunsets you will never be able to forget completely and that maybe you’ll take home with you, together with the desire to come back.

Visit the US Virgin islands: tips

A journey to the US Virgin Islands can be done by couples, friends and families.

The variegate tourist offer of the 3 main islands is able to satisfy each need, buildings to stay overnight and restaurants included.

Visit the US Virgin Islands: typical daily seafood, mashed potatoes, fried banana and asparagus cuisine

Vaccinations are not required as well no particular requirements to take part into almost all activities the islands offer, like trekking, kayak, snorkelling, exploration of the seabed and wreckage, surf, navigation.

Visit the US Virgin Islands: kayak in Hassel Island

Visit the US Virgin Islands: ready for snorkelling in Buck Islands

There are several daily flights towards St. Thomas and St. Croix from many American cities (it would be interesting to value the stay in the islands as a sea extension from one of these), above all from New York, Boston, Washington, Atlanta and Miami.

While from Denmark – the US Virgin Islands are a former Danish colony – weekly direct flights towards St. Croix are scheduled.

The best way to move throughout the US Virgin Islands is to rent a car – remember the left-hand steering with the left-hand drive – above all on the bigger and further island, St, Croix. Or to use funny and cheap Safari Bus (recommended mostly in St. Thomas and St. John) to reach the several beaches or the tourist sites.

The moving among the islands can be done by ferry (between St. Thomas and St. John in about 20 minutes) and by plane or by seaplane (between St. Thomas and St. Croix in about 25 minutes).

Visit the US Virgin Islands: seaplane from St. Thomas to St. Croix

Visit the US Virgin Islands: Coki beach, St. Thomas

It’s advisable to get comfortable and informal clothing by day (trainers, shorts, hat and k-way for the excursions, swimsuits, thong and cotton clothing for the sea) and some elegant clothing for the night that could be required in some restaurants of the main centers.

It’s a good rule take with you a repellent – remember that the passage from the beach to the tropical forest is immediate – for mosquitoes and insects, and sun cream with a high protection factor.