The U.S. Virgin Islands: The Perfect Vacation for U.S. Citizens

I will give you practical information you really need to know about a vacation in the U.S. Virgin Islands. My preference is St. Thomas, but this information applies to St. John and St. Croix as well:

- Currency is U.S. dollars and major credit cards are widely accepted

- The U.S. S Virgin Islands are called the duty-free shopping mecca of the Caribbean; a U.S. visitor is allowed a duty-free quote of $1,200 every 30 days, for inspections by U.S. customs, you may be required to provide proof of purchase.

- Driving is on the left, valid U.S.driver license or foreign licenses are accepted

- On arrival, U.S. citizens do not need a passport, at departure everyone needs a proof of identity which can be: a passport or a birth certificate or a voter registration

- Time zone Atlantic Standard

- No local taxes on shopping only an 8 percent are applied to hotel room rates.

Just a little history: Christopher Columbus discovered the U.S. Virgin Islands in 1493 and since then, the flags of Spain, France, England, Holland, Denmark and the United States have flown over these islands. Each country contributes with cultures, habits and personalities. Denmark dominations was the longest, a slave-trading post was on St. Thomas, the early governors gave their tacit approval to the use of St. Thomas as a pirate refuge, just because the local merchants would benefit from the open sale of pirate booty on the city streets.

During World War I, in 1917 the U.S.bought the Virgin Islands from Denmark in order to prevent the islands from becoming a German sub base in the Caribbean.

It was only after World War II ended when Virgin Islands moved into a new position of eminence as a tourist Mecca.

Touristy values in St. Thomas:

- Historic buildings and sites that will take you back in time, you will find brochures in the lobby of all hotels, and the desk people are happy to make you comfortable and give you more info that you will need in a week vacation

- Danish architectures found in Charlotte Amalie: public buildings, military structures, churches, old warehouses