U.S. Virgin iSlandS highlightS ParadiSE dEFinEd Here’s what you can’t miss on your visit:
tO SEE Historic sites in St. Thomas and St. Croix; nature in St. John.
tO O dO d
tO Eat at Like many other Caribbean islanders, the people of the Virgin Islands thrive on seafood, especially conch. A local specialty is callaloo soup, which combines the leafy green vegetable callaloo with okra and ham or crabmeat.
tO BUY St. Thomas is considered the shopping capital of the Caribbean, with duty-free deals on diamonds, watches, perfumes and other treats.
When your jetpack adventure is complete, stop by Juliana’s Bake Shop in Frenchtown to sample a real Virgin Islands Vienna cake from the daughters of the celebrated “cake lady.” Essentially a vanilla cake with layers of various fruit fillings, the Vienna cake can be found at special occasions throughout the islands.
known as “Agrifest,” held every February, includes food demonstrations and competitions, with dancing, music and entertainment. The St. Croix Food & Wine Experience hosts celebrity chefs each April for a week of dinners, seminars, receptions and contests. In St. Thomas in September, the Texas Society’s Chili Cook-off brings visitors and locals together for an annual chili-tasting contest that is so popular it has spawned a similar festival in St. Croix. St. Thomas’ Agriculture Fair in November features fresh produce, homegrown herbs and local dishes.
Hop over to Water Island, the smallest inhabited island in the U.S.V.I., to tour the 491.5-acre island by golf cart. Don’t let its size mislead you; there’s much to do on “the Fourth Virgin,” and it’s easily accessible via a 10-minute boat ride out of St. Thomas’s capital city, Charlotte Amalie. Cruise passengers can spend a relaxing day on world-renowned Honeymoon Beach or get active by kayaking, biking or hiking the remains of military fortifications.
Sports enthusiasts also find fulfillment in the U.S. Virgin Islands during annual events, such as the Rolex Regatta, now entering its 41st year, which takes place in St. Thomas in March; the St. John Beach to Beach Swim, a fun, multi-category swimming race held over Memorial Day Weekend each year (May); and the St. Croix Ironman 70.3 race, a prequalifier to the Ironman World Championship race in Kona, Hawaii.
An Event for Every Traveler
Get Social
Carnival in the U.S. Virgin Islands is truly a celebration for all the senses, and three islands means three times the fun! The excitement begins at the largest of the three Carnivals, the annual Virgin Islands Carnival held in St. Thomas during April, and is chock-full of irresistible cuisine, spirited pageants and rousing parades. St. John celebrates with a month of cultural events and festivities throughout June. Events include steel pan concerts, calypso competitions, beauty pageants and parades. The month-long celebrations come to a close on July 4 with the Adults’ Carnival Parade and fireworks in Cruz Bay. The territory’s grand Carnival finale takes place on St. Croix during the Crucian Christmas Festival, which runs from around early December through Christmas and into the new year, culminating in early January. During the festival, the streets come alive with music jamborees, cultural fairs and vendors selling local treats. Several other V.I. festivals and fairs showcase the islands’ cuisine. The annual St. Croix Agriculture Fair, also
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The U.S.V.I. Department of Tourism’s free “My Virgin Islands” smart phone app is a great way for cruise passengers to explore the islands. With an active network connection, app users can seamlessly peruse photo and video galleries; view webcam footage throughout the islands; and access recipes and site reviews. Even without an active connection, you’ll have one-touch access to business listings, bookmarks, travel tips and taxi rates, trivia games, and event listings. Check with your mobile provider for network coverage and terms and conditions for using your device while in the U.S. Virgin Islands. To download or learn more about the app, visit www.myvirginislands.com.
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Snorkel or dive the stunning reefs of the islands; diving is especially good in Trunk Bay, located in Virgin Islands National Park off St. John.
many more. Certified St. Thomas Jetrider flight instructors can teach the basics of flight within 15 minutes and at an affordable cost.
Like the USVI on Facebook at facebook.com/visitusvi, or follow the USVI at @USVITourism. To learn more about the U.S. Virgin Islands and the unforgettable experiences that await you, please go to www.VisitUSVI.com.
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