Time was the U.S. Virgin Islands was so upscale that only the rich and famous could frolic on its shores and enjoy its lush lands. Now, St. Croix, St. Thomas and St. John are not only affordable and accessible, they're also close enough for weekend getaways. With winter temperatures of 77 degrees, any time of year is a good time to go. Small in size with the largest of the islands St. Croix just 28 miles wide and seven miles long, these islands are easy to see, giving you plenty of beach time, relaxation, or time to deep sea fish in the warm Caribbean Sea.
Sunburst Vacations (tel. 800/786-2877; www.sunburstvacations.com) can put together trips to the U.S. Virgin Islands. A long weekend in St. Croix with airfare and hotel starts at approximately $798 per person for four nights' accommodations and round-trip airfare out of New York. Other U.S. gateways are available. Accommodations for this trip are at the Divi Carina Bay Hotel, the only resort in the Caribbean with a full-service casino. With only 130 rooms, this three-story mid-sized resort has in-room microwaves, televisions and a balcony or terrace. The hotel is also home to a PADI dive center, two lit tennis courts, water sports on Grapefruit Beach, and two freshwater swimming pools. For $913 per person, the same four night trip with plane fare is available with accommodations at the Buccaneer, a four-star 340 acre St. Croix resort continuously ranked very high among worldwide tropical resorts.
To St. Thomas, International Travel Management Company (ITMCO) (tel. 877/378-2140; www.itmco.com/caribbean-vacation-package/st_thomas_vacations_virgin_islands.asp) has plenty of hotel and air/land deals from several U.S. departure points. From Washington D.C., a seven night package with accommodations at the Best Western Carib Beach Resort with departure dates through July and August costs $706 down from an original price of $819. A similar seven night deal out of Indianapolis leaving on June 25, 2006 costs $716. Not your typical Best Western, the Carib Beach Resort (tel. 340/774-2525; www.caribbeachresort.com) is located on Lindbergh Bay with waterfront rooms.
Other available packages from ITMCO include a seven night air inclusive trip out of Chicago O'Hare for $1,029 with accommodations at the four-star Marriott Frenchman's Reef and Morning Star Resort (tel. 340/776-8500; www.magenspoint.com), a 32 room boutique resort overlooking the famous beach and the Mahogany Run Golf Course, just a mile away. Room rates start at $165 from April 15 to December 19, 2006 with a 50 percent discount given to those willing to take a 90 minute tour of the resort's vacation clubs. To qualify for the tour and discount, you must be between 28 and 65 years old and make at least $60K per year. Activities offered through the hotel include island tours, water tours, golf, horseback riding, tennis, diving and snorkeling, sailing and fishing.
A forty-five minute ferry ride from St. Thomas, St. John is known for the U.S. Virgin Island National Park (tel. 340/776 6201; www.nps.gov/viis). With over 22 self-guided nature trails managed by the National Parks Service, St. Johns is a lot more than a Caribbean beach resort. Covering three-fifths of the island's land mass, the national park protects over 800 species of flowers and plants and miles of underwater coral life. You can stay overnight under the stars at the Cinnamon Bay Campgrounds (tel. 340/776-6330; www.cinnamonbay.com) open all year round. In the winter, it is advised to make reservations at least three months in advance. You can reserve a beachfront cottage for upscale camping from April 1 to December 14, 2006 starting at $90 per night. Large 14 by 10 canvas tents set up with barbecue equipment, cots, and a picnic table cost around $58 per night. Fresh linens are provided on a twice a week basis. Located on beachfront property with a staff trained in water sports and foliage, the Cinnamon Bay is the perfect way to experience St. John in its pristine glory and constant serenity. Quiet hours, between 10pm and 7am are enforced. The ferry to St. John from St. Thomas only costs $5 per adult ticket, and Cinnamon Bay has an on-site restaurant serving simple grilled fish, chicken and meats.
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