St. Thomas Main

As the Caribbean's most popular cruise-ship port, this centerpiece of the U.S. Virgin Islands impresses more than a million visitors a year with its sophisticated pleasures. You can stay at luxurious resorts and private villas, enjoy delicious dining – some of the best restaurants are in Frenchtown, just outside the capital of Charlotte Amalie – and shop like the rich and famous.

St. Thomas has the well-deserved reputation as the duty-free shopping mecca of the West Indies. Charlotte Amalie, once a thriving Danish outpost, is a historical town where narrow alleys lead to centuries-old warehouses that now house charming boutiques and sidewalk cafés.

Sailors know St. Thomas as a major yacht charter center in the heart of the Caribbean's favorite cruising grounds. Beach-lovers who prefer the nonstop action of seaside bars and water sports will find their fill at Magens Bay's mile-long crescent of white sand. Though it is one of the more beautiful islands in the Lesser Antilles, St. Thomas is not your tranquil tropical hideaway. This is an isle for travelers who enjoy the pleasures of the beach and the bustle of a vibrant city.