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Romantic Getaways |
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St. John = Love City
Or are the two of your looking for a back to nature honeymoon? Campgrounds in the island's national park give you the chance to play Adam and Eve in as much or as little luxury as you choose. Opt for tent camping, screened shelters, or eco-conscious cabins. Wherever you stay, it's difficult to tear yourselves away from your new love nest but budget time to explore this island. Hop a guided tour aboard an open-air safari bus that gives the two of you plenty of chances to peek at the island's natural delights.
As delightful as St. John's natural beauties are, her man-made attractions are also tempting for lovers. The only town on the island is tiny Cruz Bay, a hilly burg filled with one of a kind boutiques. Mongoose Junction, named for the furry mongoose often seen along St. John's roads, is the top shopping area. Drop into Donald Schnell's Studio; his handmade pottery decorates many of the villas across the island. For even more shopping opportunities, St. John vacationers can hop a ferry to St. Thomas, one of the Caribbean's top duty free destinations. Here along historic alleys, put a twinkle in your eye--or on your ring finger--with a stop in one of the numerous fine jewelry stores. Not only will you have a wider selection that you'd have at home but you'll also enjoy a substantial savings (plus you won't pay sales tax.) At night, the lights of St. Thomas compete with the stars, both enjoyed from numerous vantage points on St. John. One of the best views is from the deck of Asolaré, an open-air restaurant featuring Asian fusion dishes served in a relaxed and romantic setting. Whether the two of you return to a campground,
resort or private villa that night, you'll be serenaded by the sound of
St. John's tiny coqui or small tree frogs. Their melodic call echoes
across the verdant hills, over the beaches, and across the tropical
growth that will, the next morning, brighten yet another romantic day on
this lovely isle. Villas:
You'll find villas throughout St. John, many with open air living rooms,
private pools, and incredible views. We recently stayed at SeaCove, one
of the incredible villas offered by McLaughlin Anderson Luxury Villas (www.mclaughlinanderson.com).
Some villas are available for use as wedding sites but use for groups
generally involves a surcharge. Paris Permenter & John Bigley are founders of www.LoveTripper.com - a romantic travel site featuring getaways of special interest to lovers in search of a honeymoon, a destination wedding, or a weekend away. |
Throughout
the Virgin Islands, there's a nickname for the small island that lies
tucked between St. Thomas and the British Virgin Islands. Locals often
call St. John “Love City,” a moniker that harkens to the destination's
true promise of romance. It may be smaller than its siblings St. Thomas
and St. Croix, but this petite isle is a big boy in the world of love.
Pristine beaches and miles of undeveloped park land await the two of
you.
Picture
you and your sweetie in your own private getaway--likely a multi-million
dollar home. Like vacationing celebrities, you'll be cocooned by
privacy. Hire a villa catering service to drop off a breakfast for you;
start your day in your robes out on your balcony to enjoy the buzz of a
colorful hummingbird or the scent of tropical flowers that surround
"your" home. 
Stop
at Annaberg, part of the Virgin Islands National Park. Constructed by
slave labor as one of 25 sugar factories which once dotted the island,
today the park includes numerous ruins. The most visited site is the
former sugar mill, now a favorite wedding spot on the island. Hike the
park's trails for some great views of the neighboring British Virgin
Islands then cool off with a visit to one of the island's beaches.
Beautiful Trunk Bay, one of the Caribbean's most photographed stretches
of sand, is home to a self-guided snorkel trail. Or opt for a quiet
stretch of sand where the name says it all: Honeymoon Beach.