With their warm, clear days, unspoiled sandy strands, and beautiful turquoise water, the Virgin Islands are a beach bum's paradise.
The Virgin Islands are largely lush and tropical. Each of the three major U.S. Virgin Islands:St John, St. Thomas and St. Croix are a collection of ecosystems, ranging from tropical seacoast to mountain, rain forest to desert.
The Virgin Islands are graced with the rich architectural legacy of the original Danish settlers, including the picturesque ruins of their sugar plantations.
Christopher Columbus discovered the islands on his second voyage to the New World, landing on St. Croix in 1493, which he named Santa Cruz.
The Danes were among the first Europeans to settle in the Virgin Islands, and they ruled for nearly 200 years. Denmark purchased the islands in 1733, bringing St. John and St. Thomas under Danish rule. Their influence is reflected in the language, religion, and architecture.