St.
Thomas, one of the three United States Virign Islands, along with
St. Croix and St. John, St. Thomas is one of the most beautiful
island destinations in the world, dressed with powdery beaches and
sun-drenched weather. St. Thomas is located in the Lesser Antilles,
1,600 miles south, south east of New York City; 1,100 east,
southeast of Miami; 70 miles of San Juan. St. Thomas and its nearby
neighbor St. John, lay between the Atlantic and the Caribbean.
St. Thomas offers the natural beauty of the islands with a
sophisticated and cosmopolitan atmosphere. Charlotte Amalie, the
capital of the U.S. Virgins, is one of the most breathtaking harbors
in the world and the most visited port in the Caribbean. Exquisite
dining, spectacular nightlife, and the finest duty-free shopping in
the world are abundant in Charlotte Amalie. Its reputation as the
shopping capital of the Caribbean draws hundreds of thousands of
visitors annually from throughout the Caribbean region and the
world.
A mountainous island with shimmering bays, powdery white beaches,
flowing green hills, and a near perfect climate year round make this
destination one of the most desirable in the world.
The second largest of the United States Virgin Islands, St. Thomas
spans 32 square miles of tropical beauty. The island is bounded by
the Atlantic Ocean on the North site and the Caribbean Sea on the
South. Its highest peaks rise to 1,550 ft. above sea level,
providing breathtaking views from almost every direction.
St. Thomas is the liveliest island of the three U.S. Virgins, and,
perhaps, the liveliest in the Caribbean, with attractions including
everything from sightseeing and shopping to sailing, swimming,
snorkeling, diving, windsurfing, and kayaking. Or, simply find your
favorite sandy spot and relax.
Drakes Seat above Magens Bay is an excellent spot for panoramic and
photographic vistas of this beautiful bay and the surrounding
islands. Local lore has it that Sir Francis Drake used this for his
lookout. Mountain Top offers the best north side and down-island
view from one of St. Thomas' mountain peaks. There you will find
shops, a restaurant, and a viewing deck.
Black Beard's Castle, originally known as "Skytsborg," is a historic
landmark. Its tower is considered the "oldest extant historical
structure in the Virgin Islands." Pirates reportedly once called
this area home. Blue Beard's Castle, according to local lure, was a
home of a 19th century pirate.
Government House, the center of official life in St. Thomas since it
was built in the mid-1860's, is famous for the 99 steps from
Government Hill to Lille Tarne Gade (Danish for Little Tower Street)
is well known. Most streets in town retain the Danish "Gade" name
pronounced "Ga-da".
Emancipation Garden is a charming park at east end of Main Street,
commemorating the freeing of slaves in 1848. The two statues link
the island's heritage: a bust of Danish King Christian and a scaled
down replica of the American Liberty Bell.
Fort Christian is the oldest standing structure on St. Thomas that
was built between the years 1666 and 1680 with additions in 1874. It
served as the center of the first Danish settlement and the fort
survived fires and hurricanes that devastated much of the town of
Charlotte Amalie in the 18th and 19th centuries.
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