Last week, I shared some of my amazing trip to the US Virgin Islands, including some of my favorite USVI destination wedding ideas. This week, I wanted to share some of my favorite travel experiences from the trip (you know I’m a huge travel lover), in the hopes of inspiring you to visit or honeymoon in St. Thomas, St. John, or St. Croix!
From donkeys to ziplining, there’s something for everyone in the USVI.
Are you a fan of water sports? I love paddle boarding and snorkeling. And although I’m not a surfer, I’m told that the best waves to be had are at Hull Bay. Of course, the crystal-clear Caribbean waters of the USVI would be perfect for paddle boarding!
Hit the water! It goes without saying that an afternoon on the boat is a perfect way to spend the day in the islands. Our sunset sail on the Daydreamer was absolute heaven.
After the stress of wedding planning is over, I know the beach is going to be calling your name! The stretch of sand at the Ritz-Carlton St Thomas is gorgeous (and so is their infinity pool!).
This little guy and his friends made their home at the amazing Caneel Bay. He was so sweet (even though that was probably because he wanted some grub!). The gorgeous resort is also home to about a million gorgeous beaches, and the donkeys are joined by some (not-as-curious) deer.
Wherever I’m visiting, I like to grab some food from the local hangouts. We didn’t get to eat at Off the Grid (the food truck that everyone promises is amazing), but we did visit Gladys’ Cafe in the Royal Dane Street mall, and the food was fabulous! I had the most wonderful avocado salad, and we all enjoyed the rich and creamy banana daiquiris.
Although it’s currently closed for renovations, Fort Christian is a centerpiece of Charlotte Amelie, and it’s on my list for a visit when I return to the USVI. The building dates from 1671 and has been a school, a government building, and a jail. It’s the oldest surviving structure in the USVI, and the renovation is promised to be true to its history, with materials coming from the original source locations.
Shop til you drop! The USVI is known for shopping! In addition to being an easy destination to visit (as you don’t need a passport to visit), US citizens can bring home up to $1,600 of merchandise duty-free. It’s also fun to meander around the main shopping area in Charlotte Amelie, as all of the shops are tucked away in the beautiful laneways of the historic district.
I saved my favorite for last. We had the BEST time ziplining with Tree Limin’ Extreme! If you’ve never been ziplining before, it can be a bit daunting, but when you are flying through the air between the trees, even the faint of heart will fall in love and want to go again and again! The setting was just gorgeous, and you have to experience this when you visit St. Thomas!
Have you visited the USVI? What are your favorite experiences?
My trip to the USVI Bridal Symposium was graciously sponsored by the USVI Department of Tourism, with accommodations provided by Sugar Bay Resort. For more information on the United States Virgin Islands, visit www.visitusvi.com.