USVI, part one-St.Thomas
If the short, dark days are already weighing on you and you catch yourself dreaming of a sunny getaway, here’s an idea: USVI!
Looking back at our 2021 Christmas vacation, I realize how lucky we were to make it happen, especially during Covid. While tossing around possible destinations, St. Thomas quickly became an easy choice: Caribbean island with beautiful beaches, only 3.5 hrs away, and (because it’s a US territory) no test was needed during COVID, no currency exchange or phone roaming charges. I knew US Virgin Islands are made of 3 big islands: St.Thomas, St.John and St.Croix, I didn’t know there are 50 more smaller islands and cays belonging to the group. St Croix is too far for a day trip, but St.Thomas and St. John are only about 30min away by ferry, so we spent most of our time in St.Thomas, and gave St.John a couple of days.
St. Thomas, at 13 miles long and 4 miles wide, is just a little over 31 sq. miles, but don’t let the size fool you. The highest point of the island is at elevation of 1,556 ft, which pretty much means that to get from one point to another you have to climb the mountain, hence the need of a car. Driving on the island is an adventure of its own. Although all cars are “American” and the steering wheel is on the left , the driving on the island is on the left side of the road. That tricky confusion combined with the super narrow, steep, zigzag roads, multiple almost 360* turns with limited visibility and unprotected deep ledges was at moments hair raising, even for the Europeans we are. Thank God we were in the hands of an excellent, experienced and trusted driver, my husband! All that trouble though, is well rewarded when you get a bird eye view of the many islands, turquoise water, beaches and harbors. The most famous beach on the island (and one of the best in the Caribbeans, deservingly so) is Magens Bay, but the island is home to many more amazing beaches: Sapphire beach, Lindquist beach, Secret harbor, Hull Bay, Coki beach, Brewers bay and dozens of other beaches we didn’t have time to visit. Although there is a resort at almost every beach in St.Thomas, all beaches are open to the public and free (with couple exceptions). If getting pampered at a resort is your idea of a vacation, St. Thomas is the place for you! It also offers great duty free luxury shopping and dining, well organized transportation, tours and sailing options. Speaking of shopping, you will find great selection and prices on watches, jewelry and alcohol (did I mention legal drinking age is 18?) Do not expect anything else on the island to be cheap though, for example a pound of strawberries was $10 at the grocery store.
If you’d like to experience the most of St. Thomas rent a car and drive, go from a beach to a beach, lay under the trees and swim in the turquoise water, do some snorkeling right off the shore, grab a bite at a local hangout or food truck, go to the top of the mountain and have the famous banana daiquiri, climb the historic 99 steps (103 actually), wander in the narrow passages of the downtown and give a salesman a chance to try to convince you you need that $15K watch 
Yes, just give in , and let St.Thomas charm you! You will love it!
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