One of our staff members recently took a trip to St. Croix in the U.S. Virgin Islands. St. Croix is the ultimate honeymoon hotspot because it is not as well known as some of the other Caribbean Islands like St. Thomas or St. John, making it less populated and more secluded. With hundreds of incredible beaches to choose from, you can literally be the only person on the beach for an entire day. The Caribbean's warm, clear waters make it ideal for snorkeling and diving. Although the island embodies many European influences, the island is part of the U.S. territory, making it simple to travel to without the need of a passport.

If St. Croix sounds like a place you'd like to explore, here are some must-see locations to visit during your stay.

Places to stay:

The Buccaneer Hotel
Founded in the 17th century and family-run for generations, St. Croix's Buccaneer is the Caribbean's and Virgin Islands' longest running resort. Both historic and modern, the resort blends old world charm with warm hospitality and the amenities expected by today's traveler. More than a hotel, The Buccaneer is a premier destination resort for golf, tennis, water sports, weddings, honeymoons and family vacations.

Tamarind Reef Hotel
Tamarind Reef Hotel boasts one of the Caribbean's most beautiful white sand beaches. Whether to visit the beach for a quick dip in to the warm Caribbean waters or to relax on the beach chairs with a nice book, the beach and its surroundings are very inviting and offer an island experience. Even more, you can even plan a family reunion or your wedding on this spectacular white sand beach, and create memories that will last a lifetime.

Places to see:


Buck Island
One of the world's most spectacular underwater national parks, Buck Island Reef National Monument was established to preserve "one of the finest marine gardens in the Caribbean Sea." The park is one of a few fully marine protected areas in the National Park System. The 176-acre island and surrounding coral reef ecosystem support a large variety of native flora and fauna, including the hawksbill turtle and brown pelican. Just a short boat ride away from St. Croix and you are in another spectacular paradise.

Christiansted
Stroll through this picturesque Danish colonial town starting at the waterfront's grassy lawn, the Christiansted National Historic Site managed by the U.S. National Park Service, an ideal place to learn about the town's 18th century origins. Climb to the top of yellow Fort Christiansvaern for a striking view of the harbor, poke your head in the Scale House, and walk up King Street from the wharf to see the original Government House of the Danish West Indies. Shop, then relax with a cool drink on the boardwalk and watch the seaplanes take off.

Frederiksted
Step up to St. Croix's most historic structure, the handsome, red Fort Frederik, built at the end of Strand Street around 1760. There, on July 3, 1848, enslaved workers demanded their freedom and it was granted at last by Danish Governor-General Peter von Scholten. After touring the fort's historic exhibits, head south along the waterfront to the Caribbean Museum Center for the Arts, to see galleries of paintings and changing exhibits housed in an 18th century merchant's building. Have a late lunch at one of several waterfront restaurants and linger for a spectacular sunset.

Cruzan Rum Distillery
The Northwest may be known for its wine tastings, but St. Croix is known for its local Rum Distillery, Cruzan Rum. Sniff and see masterful rum-making in action on a guided tour, the way it has been done here for centuries. Learn how a master distiller brings rainwater and molasses together to end up in fruity drinks with tiny umbrellas—it's the same process islanders have used since the 1650s. At the end of your tour, samples await—savor Single Barrel Estate Rum neat, sip an exotic flavored-rum cocktail, or quench your thirst with a classic rum and Coke. Say hello while you're there to the Nelthropps, the family that has been making these rums for eight generations. They still gather daily at the distillery to taste-test the product before it is bottled. It's no wonder their Cruzan Rum is still considered the world's most honored rum—and a few bottles make a great souvenir to take home, and because it's made locally it's also half the price from what you'll pay in the states (and duty free).

Estate Whim Plantation Museum
Tour the unusual oval great house, dating from 1743, furnished with period antiques that can help you imagine life as it once was here. Walk through fields for a close look at one of those stone sugar mills you've wondered about, as well as the animal and steam mills employed long ago to grind sugarcane. The 11-acre property also includes slave quarters, a cookhouse, bath house, and watch house.

Places to eat:

The Bacchus
Located in the heart of historic downtown Christiansted, Bacchus is upstairs on Queen Cross Street. When you enter, the ambience lends itself to remind you to relax and let us take care of you. Named for the god of wine, it is fitting that Bacchus has the largest and only award winning wine list on St. Croix; many available by the glass.

Kendricks
Kendricks, the island's toniest restaurant, lies in the historic Quin House complex at King Cross and Company streets. Some of its recipes have been featured in Bon Appétit, and deservedly so. You'll immediately warm to such specialties as grilled filet mignon with a port-wine demi-glace and red-onion confit. The signature appetizer is king-crab cakes with lemon-pepper aioli. Another great choice is the pecan-crusted roast pork loin with ginger mayonnaise.

Click here to view photos from a couple who got married in St. Croix.

Labels: Ideas, Travel