| If you're lucky enough to be familiar | | | | breezes, and the most laid-back |
| with the U.S. Virgin Islands, you know | | | | atmosphere you'll ever have the |
| that they're made up of three charming | | | | privilege to set foot in all make this |
| isles; St. John, St. Croix, and St. | | | | place the pinnacle of vacation lands, so |
| Thomas. All make for divine vacation | | | | don't let another season go by before |
| experiences, but there's something about | | | | you've experienced this paradise for |
| St. John that sets it apart from the | | | | yourselves. |
| traditional Caribbean destinations. | | | | St. John is accessible by ferry from St. |
| Maybe it's the fact that most of the | | | | Thomas, which means that you'll truly |
| island consists of National Park land, | | | | feel like you're getting away from the |
| or perhaps it's the stunning beaches, | | | | rest of the spinning world as you hop |
| Trunk Bay in particular. It sounds | | | | from a peaceful island to one that's |
| simple but it's the truth; St. John is a | | | | even more so. And with a beach named |
| fabulous place to visit. | | | | Honeymoon, it's glaringly obvious that |
| It's the smallest of the Virgin Islands, | | | | this would be the perfect place to whisk |
| but as you wander the untamed habitat of | | | | your lover off for a romantic week or |
| St. John's lush and dynamic forests | | | | weekend. After gazing into each other's |
| you'll hardly feel claustrophobic. To | | | | eyes while soaking in the most |
| really get to know this precious and | | | | picturesque scenery imaginable, you'll |
| increasingly rare feature, follow a Park | | | | rediscover all the things that have been |
| Ranger through a crisscross of paths as | | | | obscured by the relentless march of |
| she regales you with all the information | | | | everyday life. |
| you care to know about the flora and | | | | Come here for the wildlife (did we |
| fauna that captivates your senses. If | | | | mention the wild donkeys and mongoose?) |
| you'd prefer to stay off your feet, Jeep | | | | or the quiet life, either way you'll be |
| and safari tours are also available, so | | | | privy to the Caribbean cream of the |
| listen to the history of the isle while | | | | crop. Be warned, it's very likely that |
| saving energy for the activities you'll | | | | upon your return you'll downplay the |
| engage in later that day. | | | | time you had in order to keep St. John |
| Admittedly, those activities may consist | | | | your little secret. You always thought |
| only of lounging on the beach or | | | | you were a nice, giving person, so the |
| floating in the salty sea, not that | | | | realization that you are in fact selfish |
| there's anything wrong with that. Yes, | | | | may be an unpleasant surprise. Comfort |
| St John has the kind of shoreline that | | | | yourself by returning to the sparsely |
| makes you want to change your identity | | | | populated forests and deliciously |
| and take up the coveted title of "beach | | | | uncrowded beaches of St. John. We won't |
| bum," so you might have to fight the | | | | tell anyone. |
| urge to call home and tell them you're | | | | The nature of this vacation makes it an |
| just not coming back. You'll discover | | | | easy choice to stay in a vacation |
| that it's possible to spend hours at a | | | | rental. Tourists tromping through hotel |
| time in one delectable spot, so prepare | | | | lobbies and resorts that look alarmingly |
| to settle in and chill out. | | | | similar to everywhere else you've ever |
| If you manage to pick yourself up off | | | | stayed just don't fit into the paradigm |
| the beach towel for a while, you'll | | | | that is St. John. Since you'll find |
| discover that there's actually a lot to | | | | yourself treasuring every moment of this |
| do here in St. John. None of it is very | | | | trip, so go all out and reserve a villa |
| demanding, so don't worry about | | | | or seaside condo that will house you in |
| interrupting your well-deserved mood of | | | | privacy while giving you access to all |
| utter relaxation and "all's right with | | | | the good stuff. |
| the world"-ness. Snorkeling, diving, | | | | Whatever you seek, you shall have; be it |
| lunch cruises, and souvenir shopping | | | | a king-sized bed, an outdoor hot tub, a |
| will call out to you, so head to the | | | | dining table under the stars, or an |
| friendly town of Cruz Bay to get in on | | | | ironing board. Your common needs as well |
| the action, and while you're there you | | | | as your silliest whims will all be |
| just might discover why it has been | | | | satisfied if you take the time to pick |
| nicknamed "Love City." | | | | out a rental property, so put in a |
| It shouldn't take much convincing to get | | | | little effort now to be rewarded with a |
| your traveling companions to agree to | | | | load of contentment later. |
| head to St. John. Just tell them to | | | | Go online to peruse the enticing |
| imagine their ideal vacation, making | | | | listings, and be careful; so many of the |
| sure to include blue skies and bluer | | | | St. John Vacation Rentals will look |
| waters, and they'll be sure to pack | | | | appealing that you'll have trouble |
| their bags when you tell them to. The | | | | deciding on just one. |
| swaying coconut palms, the fragrant | | | | |