Travel
BY SHERYL NANCE-NASH
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The U.S. Virgin Islands offer something for everyone
L
et’s get this out of the way: there is no bad choice. When it comes to the U.S. Virgin Islands—St. Croix, St. Thomas, St. John, and the lesser-known Water Island—you can’t go wrong. It’s more about playing a bit of a dating game. What island satisfies your interests best? Now is a good time to visit the USVI. As American territories, the U.S. Virgin Islands fall under American jurisdiction, which means you don’t need a passport, an obvious plus for ease of travel in these uncertain times. Of course, you want to be aware of whatever protocols may be in place and check their travel guidelines. But first things first. How to choose where you want to spend your vacation? Here’s some intel that can help you make up your mind.
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55+ Living | Fall 2021
Trunk Bay, St. John.
FIND YOUR HAPPY PLACE IN NATURE
ST. JOHN
St. John may be smaller than St. Croix and St. Thomas, but it delivers big time for active nature lovers. Two-thirds of the island is a U.S. protected national park with nearly 10,000 acres of hilly green land and an underwater reserve. Take your pick of fun, from beaches, hiking trails and snorkeling to exploring the ruins of the Annaberg Plantation and the Reef Bay Trail or a hiking trail with sugar mill ruins and petroglyphs that go back to the Taino Indians. If you don’t go home bragging about your time in Trunk Bay with its white coral sand, clear waters, and snorkeling trail, you’ll lose all cred as a savvy traveler. Also popular are the Catherineberg Ruins and the Cinnamon Bay Nature Loop Trail. Mountain biking and horseback riding are other outdoor activities. St. John may have a more laid back, hipster vibe than the other islands but that doesn’t mean it’s missing great food. Cruz Bay, the epicenter of St. John, is home to a slew of restaurants. The Longboard is a favorite with its fresh, local ingredients, light, healthy bites, creative cocktails and yes, musthave drink called the Painkiller. The name says it all. Also worth a visit is Lime Out, the island’s famous floating taco bar. Drifter’s Tiki Bar offers live entertainment, curry chicken and mac and cheese, while Shambles is a go-to for specialty cocktails, sandwiches, pizzas and burgers.
