ST JOHN VACATION
St. John is the Hidden Gem of the Virgin Islands
By Caitlin Moore

To recycle a tired old cliché, delightful things often come in diminutive
packages. Surveying the Caribbean, there are many islands to choose
from that convey a message of exoticism, relaxation and jaw-dropping
beauty that make your hometown landscape seem black and white in
comparison, and some of these islands are easier to spot than
others. When deciding on your next island vacation, don’t overlook St.
John; it’s relatively tiny but packs a big punch and does an incredible
job of making you feel like you’re far, far away.

Much of St. John’s allure revolves around the fact that two thirds of the
island is pure, untouched nature. Protected by the United States as
designated national park land, these hills, valleys, forests and
beaches are untainted and lush, brimming with wildlife and
Technicolor beauty. This is the smallest of the US Virgin Islands, but
once you set foot on the soil of this impressive place you’ll be
convinced that 28 square miles is more than enough to make your
getaway supremely satisfying.

Tours led by knowledgeable guides will acquaint you with the sights of
the island, or if you’re feeling adventurous you can head out on your
own and just let the peaceful ambiance overcome you. Whether you’re
nestled into a jeep or walking along the path with no particular itinerary
in mind, this will be a good first activity to get you in the vacation mood,
if you’re still hanging on to that last bit of stress, that is.

The beaches are the best part about St. John. From scenic Rams
Head to the white sandy wonderland that is Trunk Bay, you’ll feel like
you’ve stumbled onto a very well-kept secret as you survey the scene.
That’s another plus; crowds tend to be thinner here than in other
Caribbean isles, perhaps because it’s tucked away from the main
thoroughfare or maybe people just don’t know what they’re missing.
Either way, it’s to your advantage. Enjoy the beaches without feeling
trampled upon, and pretend like you’ve escaped to your own tailor-
made hideaway in the clear blue ocean.

The run-through isn’t over yet; we’ve yet to visit the place nicknamed
Love City. Cruz Bay is a little more action packed than St. John’s other
spots, as it is the home of shops, grocery stores, gear and jeep rental
services and restaurants. This will be the home base for your scuba
diving adventures, and where you can stock up on souvenirs and
staples to take back to your vacation rental. Don’t expect a bustling city
atmosphere or anything, but it gets the job done in a pleasingly laid-
back way.

The climate and conditions of St. John make it ideal for plant growth,
and a common activity involves taking a flower tour. Heavenly orchids
dot the hills, century plants add a sense of time and history, and the
Red Ginger’s ruby color will cause you to continually marvel at its
vibrancy. Hibiscus, prickly pear cactus, Hanging Heliconia and the
Bananaquit, the official bird of the island, will all delight your senses
as you meander through the wonderful world of St. John.

In addition to all of this, there are boat tours, horseback riding,
windsurfing, fishing, surfing and paragliding to keep you busy. Many
visitors find it not only worthwhile but ideal to snag a St. John Vacation
Rental that will make your home away from home as comfortable as
possible. If you’re taking the time to traipse all the way to the
Caribbean for what is certainly a hard-earned vacation, you may as
well treat yourself to a well-rounded and pampering experience on all
fronts. Vacation rentals allow for the possibilities of breakfast in bed,
cocktails on your private patio, naps in the middle of the afternoon, and
short strolls to the beach, among other things. Seeing this island
through the windows of a cute cottage on the shoreline or a fabulous
Oceanside villa will make this dreamy vacation even dreamier, so at
least check out the options as you start to plan your trip.

St. John is a true find, and one that you should make an effort to seek
out. It’s not the biggest or the most well-known Caribbean isle, but that’
s something that will become your gain and everyone else’s loss.







Visit HomeAway.com to peruse the vacation rentals here and all over
the world.
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