A Day in Cruz Bay, St. John

The U.S. Virgin Islands may be famous for their charm, and their shopping, but the island of St. John is famous for its peace and quiet.   With more than 40 beaches on a tiny nine-mile island, it’s easy to see why St. John is the place where even Virgin Islanders come to get away from it all.

If you choose St. John vacation rentals, there are many wonderful ways to spend your vacation, including spending a day in Cruz Bay.  Nestled around Cruz Bay Harbor on the west coast of St. John, the lovely little town is the only real town on the island, with a population of fewer than 3,000 people.

If you want to spend a day in town shopping, Cruz Bay has many unique boutiques.  Right near the harbor, there is a collection of shops and restaurants called Mongoose Junction, selling everything from linens to hand-blown glass. One really fascinating shop is called Best of Both Worlds, and it sells artwork created by local artists and designers.  There is also another group of shops gathered around a courtyard near the dock, called Wharfside Village.  One of the nicest shops there is Dreams and Dragonflies, which sells pretty locally made jewelry.

If you start to get a little hungry on your day in town, head to Woody’s Seafood Saloon for some fresh seafood, right next to the town’s harbor. In Mongoose Junction, Paradiso has also has a nautical theme, with creative twists on salads and fresh fish.  For a great restaurant with a beautiful view, head to Asolare, on the top of the hill overlooking Cruz Bay.  It’s about a five minute cab ride from the harbor, and serves an incredible menu of French-Asian cuisine.

Of course the joys of a St. John villa rental often include time to yourself, to truly relax in privacy, away from crowded resorts and hotels.  However, when you unwind at St. John vacation rentals, you’re still going to want to plan to spend a day in Cruz Bay, exploring all the charming shops and restaurants this little Virgin Island has to offer.

Visit the Beautiful Virgin Islands National Park

Back in mid-1950s, the noted American financier Laurence Rockefeller came to the St. John in the U.S. Virgin Islands, and decided that the area was simply too beautiful to risk losing.  Rockefeller was a pioneer of eco-tourism, and had built several environmentally conscious resorts in USVI, the British Virgin Islands and in Hawaii.

In 1956, Rockefeller bought the land on St. John and turned it over to the National Parks Service, and the Virgin Islands National Park became the 29th national park in America.

Today, nearly three-quarters of a million people come to the Virgin Islands National Park to hike, swim and soak in the beauty.  The park now covers more than half of the island of St. John.

In 1962, the park was expanded to include nearly 6,000 acres of land under sea.  This was a move to protect to the island’s dedicated coral reefs.  In 2001, the Virgin Islands Coral Reef Monument was established; stretching three miles off the coast of St. John, and includes fields of sea grass and the mangrove forests along the beaches.

The park is particularly popular today with scuba divers and snorkelers, who book excursions out to explore the protected coral reefs.

History lovers can hike through the park, discovering ancient petroglyphs along the Reef Bay hiking trail, carved here by the Taino people who originally lived in these islands.  The other most popular trails include the Cinnamon Bay Nature Trail, which features the ruins of many old sugar plantations, and the Bordeaux Mountain Trail, which includes the highest point on the island and a stunning view of the whole island and the Caribbean Sea.

Trunk Bay Beach is part of the Virgin Islands National Park, and it has been voted one of the best beaches in the world by travel magazines.   The beach is soft white sand, and there is even an underwater snorkeling trail.

There are lots of reasons to book St. John vacation rentals, including all the natural wonders found in the Virgin Islands National Park.  The Softwinds St. John rental house is right next door to the park, making it the perfect choice for a natural and beautiful visit to the Virgin Islands.

U.S. Virgin Islands Cooking: A Taste of Home

When their Caribbean vacation on this island retreat is over, most people have life-long memories of the sunshine sparkling on the water, the warm sweet smell of the breeze, and most especially, they remember the fresh delicious taste of the food. U.S. Virgin Islands cooking, like so many cuisines in the Caribbean, is based on the freshest of ingredients. From sea-fresh fish and shell fish, to sun-ripened fruits and vegetables such as cassava, okra and gooseberry, these islands have an endless variety of flavors and food sensations. Now, after booking St. John house rentals, you can get ready for your visit to the U.S. Virgin Islands with a brand new cookbook, fresh from the island.

Every year, the St. Croix Food & Wine Experience is a week of incredible food and festivities held on the island of St. Croix. Forbes has called it one of the ten best international food and wine festivals in the world. This year, the festival released its own cookbook called St. Croix Food & Wine Experience: A Culinary Guide to the Island Featuring Recipes from Island and Celebrity Chefs. The book is available on Amazon.com, and offers 120 pages of recipes from local chefs, as well as beautiful photos and great tips about visiting the U.S. Virgin Islands. It pairs local stews and desserts with wonderful wines, and tropical island images.

If you consider an island retreat here in the U.S. Virgin Islands, you can expect to taste some incredible regional dishes, such as red snapper with hot lime sauce, Caribbean lobster, kallaloo, herring gundy, fungi and the classic peas and rice.

Book St. John vacation rentals and come taste the Caribbean at its finest. While you’re here, pick up a cookbook and see if you can recreate these luscious tropical flavors when your incredible vacation is over, and you are back at home.

Safe Sailing in USVI

Boating or sailing around the clear bright blue waters of the U. S. Virgin Islands is one of the greatest ways to enjoy your vacation, and now this fun family activity just got a little easier and a little safer.

There are four new state-of-the-art buoys now monitoring the sea conditions in the Caribbean between Puerto Rico and USVI as part of the Caribbean Coastal Ocean Observing System.   CariCOOS is run by the American National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, or NOAA, as part of the goal of providing up to date and accurate marine information across the Caribbean.  These new buoys track current information about winds, waves, ocean currents, atmospheric pressure and the level of salt in the water on a real time basis.  That data helps give a picture of the atmospheric and oceanographic conditions in the area on a real-time basis.

One of the new buoys is just off the coast of Rendezvous Bay in St. John USVI.  The others are off the north coast of San Juan, a mile off the coast of Rincon, Puerto Rico, and south of Ponce, Puerto Rico.   Boaters and sailors can see the up-to-the-minute information for themselves by going online at www.caricoos.org, and checking the live information from each of these new buoys.

Aside from giving everyone excellent information to help them plan safe sailing in USVI, this kind of data is valuable in helping track patterns in global climate change.  Consider an island retreat at a St. John villa rental, and you can experience the joys of sailing on the Caribbean Sea for yourself!

Environmental Island Retreats in USVI

This summer, some U.S. students got the chance to spend a working vacation here on the island retreat of St. John in the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Brooke Kohler and Jephord English were part of an environmental research team from the Summer Mellon Scholars program at Lafayette College in Pennsylvania.  Kohler is an anthropology and sociology student who was studying the island’s growing population of green iguanas.   English is majoring in policy studies, and his research involved studying the impact of cattle on the ecology of St. John.

Both students spent time researching the island’s environment, and the history of the people who make it their home.   Other students taking part in this summer program did environmental studies in New Orleans and in New Jersey.

St. John is ideal for this kind of research, not just because a few lucky students get to spend their summer under the bright blue Caribbean sky, but because the U.S. Virgin Islands has a long history of environmental sensitivity and protection.

In the 1950s, American financier Laurance Rockefeller donated a large area of land to the island to develop the Virgin Islands National Park on St. John.    Rockefeller was one of the first people to merge the profitable world of tourism, with the understanding that the natural world needs protection.  He was a pioneer of eco-tourism.  Today, the Virgin Islands National Park covers more than half of the island of St. John, preserving its pristine coastline, forests and animals.   There couldn’t be a better place to be able to study the natural wonders of the Caribbean.

Both Kohler and English intend to continue their work in environmental research, and they hope it will bring them back to St. John someday soon.   You can also come and experience environmental island retreats in USVI yourself.  There is so much to see and do, and St. John rental villas,where you can set up a home away from home for the perfect Caribbean beach vacation.

Celebrate Jamaica: The Best of the Best

What a month to be in Jamaica, and Tropical Island Retreats has among the best Tryall villas Jamaica has to offer!!

As this pretty island celebrated 50 years of independence, its best and brightest took the spotlight at the London Olympic Games with joy, style and most importantly, with unbelievable speed.

As the athletes headed off for London, hopes were high as the Games were happening right at the same time as this historic date for the country.

At home, people wrapped themselves in yellow, black and green.  Flags hung from streetlights, and it seemed like every t-shirt said “JAMAICA” big and bold.

In Kingston on August 6th, thousands of Jamaicans gathered at the stadium to celebrate exactly 50 years of the best of the island. Of course there were dignitaries and military marches, but mostly there was music. The stadium jumped to the sounds of reggae, calypso, ska and rocksteady.

They were also celebrating Olympic gold! While hopes were high before the Games, the athletes themselves were aiming even higher, and boy, did they deliver!

For the second Olympics in a row, the title of fastest man in the world and fastest woman in the world went to Jamaicans.  First, Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce defended her medal in the woman’s 100 meters, kicking off the Olympics with a gold medal for her country.  Right behind her in the same race, fellow Jamaican Veronica Campbell-Brown took home the bronze. Fraser-Pryce also took silver in the women’s 200 meters.

Then came the highly anticipated run by the great Usain Bolt. Bolt took gold again in the 100 meters with an Olympic record, while up-and-comer Yohan Blake was right on his heels for a silver medal.

As if Jamaica’s three million residents didn’t have enough to dance about, then came the men’s 200 meter and it was the moment the country had been waiting for.  Bolt, Blake and 22-year-old Warren Weir from Trelawney.  One, two and three. Gold, silver and bronze, all for Jamaica.  As the three men stood on the podium, with three Jamaican flags flying, hearts on hands as the Jamaican national anthem played it seemed as if everyone on this island was weeping with joy.

Finally, Bolt closed out the Olympics with a third event, a third gold, and a world record in the 4×100-meter, running with his teammates Nesta Carter, Michael Frater and Yohan Blake.

Let’s not forget a bronze medal for Hansle Parchment in the men’s 110-meter hurdles, a silver medal for Jamaica’s women’s 4 x 100m relay team and a bronze medal for the women’s 4 x 400m relay team.

Twelve medals in total. Twelve more reasons for Jamaica to feel proud of itself on this wonderful anniversary of independence. The theme of the anniversary celebrations was “Out of Many, One People”, and that truth was visible across the island of Jamaica.

As Jamaicans celebrated their athletes and their country, they also celebrated their entire heritage, from its African roots to its Chinese and Indian influences.

This is a great time to start planning a Jamaica villa rental.  There is so much to see and experience here and there is no better time than now, when the island is feeling sure of itself, and proud, and has found so much joy in being Jamaican.  Come drink the coffee, taste the rum, and soak up the Jamaican sun.

As Bob Marley sang:

“Don’t worry about a thing. Every little thing is gonna be alright”

Come to Jamaica soon.  We’re waiting for you!

An App for visiting St. John, USVI

We’re starting to see more and more of these in the travel industry; applications for iPhones, iPods and Blackberries that are designed to make your vacation just perfect.

Recently we wrote about an App for visiting Montserrat.  Now, we’ve found a great new App for the Virgin Islands!  My Virgin Islands can help you do everything from book a table at one of the popular restaurants on St. John, to providing you with information, maps and photos of each of the gorgeous beaches in USVI.

The App was put together by the U.S. Virgin Islands Department of Tourism, and it lists more than a thousand places to shop, dine and play on the island.  You can also read what other users have had to say, and post your own reviews when you get home.

There are a ton of photos, and a great bookmark function, so you can easily find that great spot you saw earlier.  As well, you can bookmark everything you need back home, and then use the app offline, so you don’t rack up huge roaming charges on your vacation.

So if you’re considering visiting St. John and booking St. John vacation rentals, why not download the My Virgin Islands App and help plan out every day of your perfect Caribbean getaway?

Why USVI is the Best!

The compliments for the U.S. Virgin Islands just keep pouring in!  The U.S. News & World Report has chosen our pretty islands as the “Best Spring Vacation Destination for 2012”, choosing it above San Diego, Amsterdam and Vancouver as a great island retreat, on the basis of its affordability and level of fun.

Specifically, the renowned publication pointed out the excelled shopping on St. Thomas, the beauty of the Virgin Islands National Park on St. John and the incredible culture on St. Croix.   It also specifically mentioned that spring is the perfect time to visit because the flights are cheaper and the crowds are a bit lighter.

Of course, our Tourism office is just thrilled with the compliment.  Every year, the travel editors of U.S. News & World Report make these travel rankings based on reviews by their website users and travel experts.  USVI is the best in something every year, but it’s always nice when someone recognizes you!

There were other categories where USVI did well.  It was also ranked as one of the best relaxing getaways, as well as one of the best beaches, romantic getaways and honeymoon destinations in the U.S.  Also, USVI was listed as one of the best Caribbean vacations and best Caribbean beaches.  We also pulled a top 10 finish in best family vacation and best adventure vacation.

Doesn’t this all sound like a reason to visit USVI soon?   There are gorgeous St. John vacation rentals just waiting for you.  Why don’t you start planning to come down and see for yourself why USVI is the best!

Living Well & Living Long in Tortola

They say the secret to a long life is living well, and there is certainly a lot of that going on right now in Tortola villas.

In mid-August of 2011, Ms. Vivian Hodge celebrated her 100th birthday in Road Town, Tortola, becoming the latest citizen in the Virgin Islands to mark this major milestone.

Vivian Hodge was born in Road Town, on the island of Tortola, on August 15th, 1911.  Her son, Leando Nibbs told the celebrants his mother had dedicated her life to music and to her faith.   She has been a lifetime member of the Methodist Church of Road Town, holding the record for fundraising for missionary meetings. Her trick was to hang out outside the horse races, and ask for funds from the people heading home with their winnings.

She celebrated her 100th birthday with a star-studded party, surrounded by family, friends, caretakers, as well as Boyd McCleary, the Governor of the British Virgin Islands, the Premier Ralph T. O’Neal and the Deputy Premier Dancia Penn.

Premier O’Neal presented the birthday girl with a cheque for $5,000 on behalf of the people of the Virgin Islands.  That has been a traditional 100th birthday gift here for the past 10 years.   He told Ms. Hodge that she has earned her place in Virgin Islands’ history and said it was his pleasure to help her celebrate.

The governor also presented Ms. Hodge with a birthday card from Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II, which sent her best wishes for such a special occasion.

Ms.  Hodge is just one of several centenarians from the Virgin Islands.   Perhaps there’s something to all this sun, sand and beauty of staying in Tortolla villas that sustains the body and soothes the mind.

More Flights to Jamaica

It just got a little easier to plan the luxury Jamaica villa rental that you’ve been dreaming about, with more flights to Jamaica!

Jamaica’s Director of Tourism has just announced that as the sunny island nation celebrates 50 years of independence, there are a whole bunch of airlines now offering new nonstop flights or increased service starting this winter.

There will be an increase of 60,000 more seats flying to Jamaica this year, compared to last, which is going to make it a whole lot easier, and even cheaper, for you to visit.

American Airlines has added a new daily flight from Miami, in addition to its service from Chicago and Dallas.  Continental Airlines has started a new direct flight from Houston to Montego Bay on weekends, in addition to its seasonal daily flights from Newark.

Caribbean Airlines will add a new flight from Orlando to Kingston twice a week in December 2012.  The airline already offers daily flights from New York’s JFK airport and Fort Lauderdale.

Jet Blue has added two new daily flights from Fort Lauderdale to Kingston, on top of its daily service from New York’s JFK. Sunwing Airlines offers new weekly charters from Nashville and from Cincinnati.

U.S. Airways has added a flight from Charlotte and a second daily flight from Philadelphia, as well as a weekly flight from Washington D.C.   United Airways has also added a new weekly flight from Washington D.C. to Montego Bay on Saturdays.

With so many extra flights, this might be your year to come to Jamaica.  Check out our incredible Jamaica villa rental at the Tryall Club, and start booking your flights to Jamaica for this winter!