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(:32)

VO: My trip to the U.S. Virgin Islands was amazing. It was just two-and-a-half hours from Miami,

which gave me just enough time to start on my book and catch a quick nap. That was a

good thing, because between St. Croix, St. John and St. Thomas, there were tons of things

to do. Island hopping from one to the next was part of the fun. It’s just a quick 20-minute

flight from St. Croix to St. Thomas. And just 15 minutes on the ferry from St. Thomas to

St. John. Each island has its own unique vibe. You kind of have to see them all.

(:18)

VO: Getting around the islands was easy too – and gorgeous. I loved the open air taxis. It’s too

beautiful outside to be closed in a minute longer than you have to be. And you can always

rent a car, or a scooter. Just remember to drive on the left side of the road.

(:17)

VO: I saw so many beautiful sights, I can’t even begin to tell you about them all. Scenic trails.

Idyllic cottages. Ecotours. I even saw a couple getting married on the beach. So romantic.

Honeymoons would be perfect there.

(:30)

VO: Let’s face it. You go to the Caribbean for beautiful beaches. And the U.S. Virgin Islands

didn’t let me down. There are 44 beaches on St. Thomas alone, 24 on St. Croix and at least

19 on St. John. Magens Bay on St. Thomas and Trunk Bay on St. John are in Conde Nast’s

top 10 beaches in the world. And just between you and me, Chenay Bay on St. Croix is one

of the best-kept secrets in the Caribbean. You should definitely check that one out.

(:26)

VO: The culture was so rich there – I just felt it in everything. The people, the architecture, the

music, the food, the festivals. The history! Over the years, these islands have belonged to

Holland, England, Denmark, Spain, France, Malta and now the United States. It’s this great

tapestry of history and beauty that just takes over all your senses.

USVI Destination Video Transcript

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(:14)

VO: Since these amazing islands are part of America, I didn’t even need a passport to visit.

U.S. citizens never do. English is the official language, and the U.S. Dollar is the accepted

currency. All in all, I felt right at home in paradise.

(:16)

VO: I couldn’t help but be fascinated by the stories that shaped the island’s culture. It’s

so breathtakingly beautiful; it’s easy to see why so many explorers, pirates, kings

and queens have been drawn there over the centuries.

(:23)

VO: If you are into history, there are definitely some sights worth checking out. Like Salt River

Bay on St. Croix. It’s where Christopher Columbus landed in 1493. Other great historical

figures spent time there too, including Alexander Hamilton, who spent so much of his

childhood on St. Croix, they say he considered himself a Crucian. That’s what the locals

call someone born on St. Croix.

(:17)

VO: Another place I loved was Drake’s Seat. It overlooks Magens Bay, which is gorgeous. It’s

where Sir Francis Drake sat guard against pirates and foreign armies. You can sit right

where he did, but there’s nothing to guard against anymore. It’s all about the view.

(:33)

VO: I was surprised to see all the sugar mill ruins around. Sometimes you’ll see the remains

of a whole sugar plantation, but mostly you’ll see a lone sugar mill at the top of a beautiful

hill or come across one on a trail. They’re beautiful reminders that these islands were once

a major source of sugar to the world. You history buffs will find loads to explore: old slave

quarters, museums, even a real rum factory. Cruzan Rum has been making rum on

St. Croix for almost 250 years. And let me tell you – it’s good stuff.

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(:30)

VO: I loved the music. Quelbe, calypso, reggae, soca, zouk, steel pan. You hear it everywhere.

Especially during the festivals. I was there just in time for the V.I. Carnival on St. Thomas in

April. But you could catch the St. John Festival on July 4th or the Crucian Christmas festival

in December on St. Croix. I loved the Mocko Jumbies – they’re these giant, colorful dancers

on stilts. The locals told me they chase away bad spirits and bring good luck.

(:23)

VO: The food on the islands is some of the best I’ve had anywhere. The seafood is unbelievable.

I think my lobster dinner came ashore just minutes after I did. Definitely try the Kallaloo and

the sour sop ice cream. I always believe you can’t really experience a place until you try the

local food. Whatever you have, it’s best with a refreshing rum punch to wash it all down.

(:21)

VO: OK, bottom line – scuba diving in the U.S. Virgin Islands is awesome. For beginners,

experienced divers, everybody. There are reefs, underwater trails, amazing marine life, and

tons of licensed scuba companies. If you’re a dive fanatic like me, you don’t want to miss

any of it. Oh, and don’t forget your underwater camera! Look at this incredible shot.

(:33)

VO: On St. Croix, I filled my logbook with wall, wreck and reef dives. Then on St. John, which

is known for its low-impact diving, I saw turtles, trumpet fish and gold-spotted eels. Then

on St. Thomas I dove a shipwreck – they have 14 of them. The diversity of a dive here is

unbelievable. And I have to admit, knowing I was diving in the safety of U.S. waters was

a bonus, too.

(:18)

VO: I’m all about a good beach day, but after awhile I’m ready to try something new. Which

worked out well because with an average temperature of 82 degrees, the possibilities were

endless: there was deep-sea fishing, day sails, sunset cruises, mountain biking, tennis and

four beautiful golf courses.

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(:19)

VO: Okay, you may not know this, but Tim Duncan, the professional basketball player, is from

St. Croix. So if you’re lucky, you could run into him on the beach. And if you’re really lucky,

you could even get his autograph. I did. They also have an Ironman Triathlon here every

year. I heard it’s pretty cool, too.

(:23)

VO: I went horseback riding on St. Croix, kayaking on St. John, and then spent the day at

Coral World on St. Thomas. What a trip! You definitely don’t want to miss Coral World,

especially if you have kids. It’s a totally interactive experience, so you can swim with the

sea lions, and even feed the sharks. And you can go underwater sea trekking. It looks

bizarre, but it’s pretty cool.

(:12)

VO: Oh, yeah, as you can probably tell, one of my favorite things to do was – absolutely

nothing. No, make that absolutely nothing with a frosty rum punch in my hand.

(:36)

VO: The most inspiring part of my trip was the natural beauty of the islands. Especially on

St. John where two-thirds of the island is a National Park. But there are tons of ways to

connect with the environment on all three islands. On St. John, there’s a wildlife sanctuary

and 22 hiking trails. On St. Croix there’s an ecological preserve, a rainforest and a living

desert. And on St. Thomas, there’s a marine sanctuary and mangrove lagoon. I even saw

baby sea turtles on Buck Island! Oh, that’s a little island just a boat ride from St. Croix.

(:34)

VO: OK, let’s be honest. No trip is complete without shopping, right? And this is the perfect

place to do it. First of all, the U.S. Virgin Islands have the best duty-free shopping allowance

in the Caribbean: $1600 tax-free! And you’ll find tons of quaint boutiques, local artisans,

outdoor markets and really original island art, some beautifully carved in mahogany. Plus

perfume, liquor, spices, you name it. Oh, and best of all, some really unbelievable deals

on jewelry. I had to pick up an extra suitcase just to get it all home!

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(:21)

VO: It’s so beautiful, I could definitely see getting married there one day. I actually did see a

wedding there on my trip. And I met plenty of people who were on their honeymoon. My

friends Jackie and Greg said all they did was mail in their wedding application to arrive eight

days ahead, and next thing you know they were toes-in-the-sand, saying their vows on

the beach. You’ve got to love that.

(:22)

VO: Even though I wasn’t on my honeymoon, the romance is built right into these islands.

And right into the gorgeous hotels and resorts too. By the way, my hotel had a spa. I hear

a lot of them do. I definitely recommend a massage while you’re there. Even if you’re not

on your honeymoon.

(:27)

VO: I stayed in a bunch of different places. I started in a villa on St. Croix, then a bed and

breakfast on St. Thomas. Then I finished the trip off at a luxury resort on St. John. Hey, a

girl’s gotta splurge once in a while! I met people who stayed at the campgrounds in deluxe

tents and others who spent their entire trip in a full-service hotel. There are definitely all

kinds of accommodations on all three islands, no matter what your budget.

(:21)

VO: I was here on the vacation of a lifetime, but I actually met a bunch of people who were lucky

enough to be here on business. And from what they’ve told me, even an all-day meeting

here can feel very vacation-like. They got to enjoy all the same beaches, shops, restaurants

and sports that I did. Only they got paid to do it! They say the meeting facilities here are

first-class and I believe it.

(:05)

VO: Once I got on island time, I wanted to stay there.

(:11)

VO: Unfortunately, even the best trips have to come to an end. I had a great time

in the U.S. Virgin Islands. I hope you find your island time, too.