Welcome Back! As I mentioned in my last post, the next few posts will focus on US Territories. These islands are worth exploring for their unique culture and are beneficial because you can receive a world-class vacation experience on a budget. Today, I want to focus on one of the most beautiful places I have ever seen and can only hope to visit one day: the US Virgin Islands. 

The US Virgin Islands consist of several islands, but there are three main ones: St. Croix, St. Thomas, and St. John. Each of them offers something different, so it really depends on your interests. However, if you want to explore all three, that is always possible! In fact, traveling between the three islands ranges from 25 min-3 hours, a time worth the experience. 

Starting with St. Croix, this is the perfect place for all the history lovers. St. Croix has been under the rule of multiple countries, such as Spain, the Netherlands, England, France, and Denmark. Because they have flown the flags of all these countries, they have managed to incorporate their customs and traditions, creating a unique blend of cultures. You can see this from the architecture consisting of butter-color, red-roofed buildings, and stone streets, which was inspired by the Danish West Indies. They are also known for their beaches, arts and crafts, and cultural events. For example, every Saturday morning, Rothschild Francis Market Square does a farmer’s market that includes local produce, crafts, and food. However, they do more than just sell- they even fry whole fish on-site in traditional coal pots, giving you the authentic experience and separating themselves from typical farmers’ markets. 

(https://visitstcroix.com/)

St. Thomas is for those who love shopping. In fact, St. Thomas has been dubbed the “shopping capital of the Caribbean”. Many tourists come to purchase a wide array of items duty-free. Beyond that, St. Thomas boasts their local cuisine, which consists of fish and fungi (fun-gee), callaloo stew (a stew made with leafy greens and oftentimes salt fish), rice and whelks (sea snails), pates (savory pie), and dumb bread (a rich loaf with coconut). Like Puerto Rico, St. Thomas is near the water, so seafood is their main food source. 

(https://travel.usnews.com/US_Virgin_Islands/Things_To_Do/Main_Street_St_Thomas_60402/)

St. John is the perfect place for nature lovers. This island boasts fun, adventurous activities such as snorkeling and hiking, and is known for its unspoiled water and terrestrial habitats. However, if you prefer something less adventurous and more relaxing, there are still options for you! St. John has crowd-free white sand beaches, which is the best self-care solution if I’ve ever seen one. 

(https://fullsuitcase.com/things-to-do-st-john-us-virgin-islands/)

The US Virgin Islands is a unique US Territory because of the multitude of options it has- there is something for everyone, making it an enjoyable experience no matter what. I am looking forward to exploring it myself!