The animated St. Thomas (with around 50,000 inhabitants) is one of the top destinations for cruises. With around 3,500 inhabitants, St. John is somewhat quieter. Nearly the entire island is part of a national park which, in addition to fascinating flora and fauna, features a number of fantastic bays. Around 30 miles south, St. Croix is the largest island in this group of islands under U.S. administration. Life is contemplative here too, where much of the island is also part of a nature conservation area.

Americans discovered the Virgin Islands as a holiday paradise in the 1960s. Up until then, sugar cane cultivation had dominated the economy; today it is tourism. Visitors primarily cherish the islands as a Mecca for watersports, a paradise for divers and sailors. On land, the American way of life is upheld, and the islands have among the highest living standards in the Caribbean.

Exotic and friendly sea creatures pass before the eyes of divers in these channels. Whether it's iridescent parrot fish, diadem emperor fish, wrasse or bold trumpet fish, they will all fascinate you with their bizarre shapes and bright body colors. The surface of Buck Island is a natural conservation area with an arid steppe, cacti and beautiful beaches. In addition to many rare species of land animals, pelicans and sea turtles also live on this small island.

However, there is more to Charlotte Amalie than the tax benefits. Colorfully painted houses in narrow streets warrant a wander around the city which will take in, among other things, the oldest synagogues in the western world. The St. Thomas Synagogue, built in 1796, is on Crystal Glade and, together with the Weibel Museum, possesses an interesting archive on the history of the local Jews. This island, where the road signs are written in Danish and people drive on the left side of the road, will remind you of colonial times. Here, you will also find one of the oldest buildings in the U.S. Fort Christian was constructed in 1672 by Danish settlers. It was used as a prison up until 1982 before housing the Virgin Islands Museum, which today hosts a collection of Indian artifacts and evidence of the island's rich history. The nearby Seven Arches Museum, with its beautiful flower gardens, bears witness to the Danish colonial past.

Numerous interesting historical sites are still waiting to be investigated. For example, try exploring Fort Christiansvaern (built 1774) with its old cannons, the former warehouse of the Danish West India and Guinea Company (today the post office and police station), the Government House with ballroom and gardens which can sometimes be visited, and the 1856 Danish Customs House. The art gallery housed in the former customs house is more modern. It is also well worth strolling around the dockyard area, which has a very particular charm. Christiansted therefore not only attracts nostalgics; day tourists from cruise ships are also among those who come here to shop, and for good reason.

The giant basins, with a capacity of several thousand gallons, are an ideal place for an excursion, particularly for families. Founded in 1978 and seriously damaged by a hurricane in 1995, the aquarium was rebuilt and reopened in 1998. Numerous attractions have since lured around 150,000 visitors a year to Coral World. With diving equipment you can, for example, get into the water with the fish. The daily shark feeding session, in which freshly caught fish are thrown to the carnivores, is particularly exciting and provides a fascinating yet gruesome spectacle for visitors. A seahorse farm, a tank with rays and shark breeding are other highlights and the lectures by marine biologists working there can be extremely interesting.

Other architectural highlights are St. Paul's Anglican Church and St. Patrick's Catholic Church from the 19th century, which are both located in Prince Street. Somewhat further out is the Cruzan Rum Distillery - the last and only large rum distillery on the U.S. Virgin Islands. During the short 20-minute guided tour, you will experience how the famous "Aroma of the Caribbean" is made from sugar cane. A glass of rum is, of course, included in the tour.

Nearby, golfers can enjoy the 18-hole, par 70 Mahogany Run golf course. Located right next to the coast above the cliff tops, the course offers golfers a unique setting with special challenges. You can get a view of the idyllic coastal scenery from the famous Drake's Seat viewpoint further inland. Sir Francis Drake allegedly sat here to contemplate and count his ships after various raids.

The mangrove trees growing there have adapted perfectly to the surroundings, having the ability to filter food and moisture from sea water. At the same time, mangrove trees attract a variety of interesting water creatures, spiders, beetles and types of birds which can also be seen on a paddle tour.

Cruz Bay is the main town on St. John, but only comprises a tiny settlement and a meadow as a market place. The small St. John's Museum, which is dedicated to the slave uprising of 1733, is of particular interest. Most tourists, however, go to St. John for the unique bays. The wonderful beaches can be reached via Northshore Road which runs along the impressive coast through the national park. Hawksnet Beach is the most well known haven for locals and stressed stars from the music and film scene. Divers prefer Trunky Beach, where you can follow the coral via a signposted underwater path. It is also worth exploring the land. With nearly 1,000 species of birds and 150 types of land animals, the national park is a true natural paradise. It is best to marvel at the island's flora and fauna from the 22 marked paths.