St. John, US Virgin Islands

With white sandy beaches, crystal clear aqua blue water and a low-key pace, the US Virgin Islands (USVI) are a great place to visit if you want to wind down, rejuvenate And have a classic beach vacation. With US citizenship, travel to the islands is easy (no passport required) and if you are on the East Coast, it's a quick trip down.

The airport on St. Thomas, USVI is the entry point by air for the US Virgin Islands. From there you can explore St. Thomas or take a ferry directly to St. John (and St. Croix or Water Island, both part of the USVI).

Most likely, you will need to fly through San Juan, Puerto Rico to get there and I recommend a stay of a few days in Puerto Rico before flying over to St. Thomas. San Juan, Puerto Rico is colorful, friendly and full of historically significant architecture. And, you would have a layover of some length anyway. You may as well stop and enjoy Puerto Rico. No Passport needed here either, though it's a good idea to take one with you if you can. It will make your travel connections easier and will allow you to also visit the nearby British Virgin Islands.

Here are two excellent options for you to consider. One is in the midst of the action in Old San Juan and one is on the beach.

The airport on St. Thomas is your entry point and is located just outside of the town of Charlotte Amalie at the western end of the island.

FERRIES: If you are going to stay on the island of St. John, you will need to take a ferry from St. Thomas out of Charlotte Amalie or Red Hook. In either case, you will need to take a taxi to the ferry first.

If you are booked at the Westin St. John resort or Caneel Bay, they have their own private ferry services which you will want to book ahead of your trip. Head over to the far side of the terminal where you will find the Westin and Caneel Bay waiting and check-in areas.

There are 2 ferries on St. Thomas: one at Red Hook and another at Charlotte Amalie. They will take you back and forth between St. Thomas and St. John. Red Hook is closer to Cruz Bay, the main docking area on St John, so the ride is a bit shorter.

CAR RENTAL: While you are visiting the USVI, you may want to rent a car. Though there is plenty of transportation available by way of taxi, shuttle and bus, for as many times as you may want to go exploring, those charges can add up, especially on St. Thomas because of its size. On the smaller island of St. John there are fewer roads, but they are very narrow and winding.

TAXIS: You may not want to bother with driving yourself around as driving is done on the left side of the road and the roads can be winding and confusing, so it's a trade-off. If you do get dropped off by taxi somewhere, you can pre-pay and arrange to have them return to pick you up at a certain time. The taxis are regulated, very reliable, honest and prompt.

For your convenience, here are direct links to some good online resources on the US Virgin Islands.

We prefer the more relaxed atmosphere and abundance of nature on St John. Here are some suggestions on where to stay.

The smallest of the Westin villas--the studios--usually rent from the Westin for between $300 and $600 a night, depending on the season and any special promotions. These are rented by the week. Use this to help you spot a good deal on an owner's rental price at the Westin.

This restaurant has the most wonderful food and stunning location on all of St. John, in my opinion. Arrive early to be seated in the best location: right on the railing overlooking the ocean. Simply an experience you won't forget.

Here are 2 guidebooks for St. John that are written by locals. They are just excellent resources.

This is my favorite thing to do at the islands. I love to float around in the beautiful aqua blue water and watch the fish and other animals. Its so easy, relaxing, exciting and ever-changing. On a recent trip, among many other sights, I saw a giant spotted ray, a huge sea turtle and a family of 4 medium-sized squid.

Take your own equipment. It will be much more pleasant. And, wear a t-shirt or a special cover, called a "rash guard" so your back doesn't burn. No matter how much water-proof sunscreen you put on, you will burn so easily floating there in the water.

Following are several selections to help you with snorkeling in the US Virgin Islands.

There are many options for boating. Here are a few. Tip: Be sure to make plans to include the BVI (British Virgin Islands) in your excursions. They are even more secluded and laid back. We love Jost Van Dyke. You WILL need to have a passport to go to the BVI.

Treat yourself to a relaxing, exotic vacation in the US Virgin Islands. You won't regret it. Soaking up all that sunlight, warm ocean water and laid back life-style in the middle of winter, or anytime, is a great boost for your mood.

Here is the view tableside at the Asolore restaurant on St. John.

Please share with all of us your Virgin Island suggestions, or just make a comment on this lens right here.