Page 14 - AAA Northwest Ohio - AAA Now! May/June 2013

14 may/june 2013
TRAVELNow!
By Jolene Morgenstern,
Travel Now Associate Editor
With the fast paced, always connected, hectic
lifestyles we all lead today, we all deserve a
little island time. Only 32 square miles in size, St.
Thomas, a United States territory since 1917, is not
just your typical tropical destination. First sighted in
1493, when Christopher Columbus was sailing the
ocean blue and once a Danish colony; St. Thomas
has views that will take your breath away, beaches
to wash away the stressors of everyday life, and the
occasional pirate.
The largest city and capital of the U.S. Virgin
Islands, Charlotte Amalie was built on the steep hills
that line the harbor of St. Thomas. Charlotte Amalie
is a deep-water harbor that was once a haven for
pirates and is now one of the busiest ports of call
for cruise ships in the Caribbean. In the mid-1700’s,
the Danish built 99 Steps making the city easier to
navigate. Although, truly 103 steps, the bricks used
to construct 99 Steps were originally brought to
St. Thomas from Denmark as ballast in the holds of
trading ships.
For many, the first thing that comes to mind with
traveling to the Caribbean are the beaches – sand
beneath your
toes, skin
lightly sun
kissed and
salt water
rejuvenating
your spirit.
Magens Bay
– St. Thomas’
most popular
beach, is a
mile stretch
of public
beach that
was donated
to the people
of the U.S.
Virgin Islands
by Arthur
Fairchild. The heart-shaped protected bay features
pebble-free sand and tranquil turquoise waters,
which make Magens Bay the optimal beach choice
when visiting St. Thomas. Not to mention its family
friendly atmosphere with lifeguards on duty daily.
Panoramic views of the surrounding isles can
be seen from various vantage points around St.
Thomas. One of the islands best spots to view the
neighboring British and U.S. Virgin Islands is at
Drake’s Seat. Named for British explorer Sir Francis
Drake, who was commissioned by Queen Elizabeth
I, Drake used the location to spy on enemy ships of
the Spanish Fleet passing through Drake’s Passage,
where the Atlantic
Ocean joins the
Caribbean Sea.
Mountain Top,
one of the first
attractions on St.
Thomas, is located
at the highest
point on the island.
From its expansive
observation deck,
Mountain Top
provides stunning
panoramic views of
St. John, Magens Bay
and the British Virgin
Islands. While at
Mountain Top, enjoy
duty-free shopping,
a must for all the ladies, and its world famous
banana daiquiri made with Cruzan Rum, made on
St. Croix.
Nestled in the Caribbean Sea, St. Thomas has
plenty of pirate folklore. Blackbeard’s Castle,
originally named Skytsborg (Sky Tower) by the
Danes, was built in 1679. According to legend, the
St. Thomas
Beaches, Panoramic
Views and Pirates
watchtower was used by pirate Blackbeard, the
infamous Edward Teach, to watch for other pirate
ships entering the St. Thomas harbor.
Bluebeard’s Castle, named after a fictitious pirate,
was a Danish fortress built in 1689. Rumor has it that
Bluebeard built the castle to lock away his beautiful
wife. With its red rooftops, Bluebeard’s Castle is one
of the first sights arriving cruise passengers see of
St. Thomas. Occupying an entire hilltop, Bluebeard’s
Castle is now a resort overlooking the harbor and
town of Charlotte Amalie.
St. Thomas’ pristine beaches, turquoise waters and
history are sure to please any vacationer. Whether
staying at one of the numerous resorts for the
entirety of your vacation or cruising the Caribbean,
your local AAA Northwest Ohio Travel Agent can
assist you in planning your perfect St. Thomas
getaway.
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Magens Bay
Aerial view of St. Thomas harbor
Blackbeard Castle