Monday, January 25, 2010

Honeymoon Travel Tips: St. Thomas and St. John









So although I'm still on my honeymoon right now, I didn't have enough guest bloggers decided to schedule my own little two cents on why you should consider honeymooning in St. Thomas or St. John, and what you should do when you are there!  They are gorgeous islands that just so happen to be right next to each other so you can visit both in one trip!











 Why you should go:

(1) It is quite reasonable to go.  J. and I got a package deal off of CheapCaribbean.com called a "super surprise special."  That meant for the low low price of $1200, we got airfare and hotel for a week for BOTH of us, but with one catch: we did not get to find out our hotel until the week before we left.  At the time we were watching our pennies so we decided to risk it.  And it was SUCH A GOOD IDEA!  Our resort was called Bluebeard's Castle and it may not have been redecorated in a while, but it had a 1950's vibe and a shabby vintage feel centered around a real pirate's tower from the 1600's!  It also had incredible, incredible views.   Currently the website says it is being renovated- but I hope hope hope they don't lose the vintage charm. 

(2) It is a U.S. territory.  No passports or worries about the low value of the dollar required.

(3) The place has class.  I don't mean that it's the fanciest in the world.  But it is easy to avoid the uber tacky, irritating tourists and do your own thing.  Basically everything you do will be fun.  It is not like spring break in Cancun- so if you were hoping to enter a hot body contest, you'll be disappointed.  But assuming you're not a character person on Jersey Shore, I think you'll love it.

(4) Restaurants here are shockingly good.  If you're used to big city prices, you won't even feel sticker shock.  A fried conch appetizer will run about $7 most places. 

[caption id="attachment_2011" align="aligncenter" width="223" caption="Resort views"]Resort views[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_2012" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="The old tower at Bluebeard's"]The old tower at Bluebeard's[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_2013" align="aligncenter" width="223" caption="View from inside the tower"]View from inside the tower[/caption]

What to do when you get there:

(1) First, go cheap on hotel and use the money you saved to rent a car.  You will need it to really experience the island and it is not that expensive.

(2) Hit the beaches at the nice resorts.  We particularly loved the beaches at the Ritz and the Marriott.  They're all public under U.S. law so even if you're not staying at a given resort, you can go play.  Besides, nobody even checked when we plopped down on the beach chairs, though in theory they were supposed to.  It's just that relaxed!

[caption id="attachment_2014" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="J. and I putting on our Ritz"]J. and I putting on our Ritz[/caption]

(3) Take the ferry to St. John!  Most of it is preserved, and there are feral farm animals roaming the place.  Fan-friggin-tastic!  Not to mention, the ride on the ferry can be stunning.  And while you're there, consider going snorkeling with one of the small local catamarans.  We went with just one other couple and a guide and saw some amazing stuff.  If you can find captain Han, go with him.

[caption id="attachment_2015" align="aligncenter" width="223" caption="One of the many great sunsets we saw from the St. John ferry!"]One of the many great sunsets we saw from the St. John ferry![/caption]

[caption id="attachment_2018" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Just another feral donkey on a Tuesday"]Why hello there random donkey[/caption]

(4) Take a sunset sail even if those Caribbean clouds roll in- they move out quickly- and it makes for better photos!  Just don't expect a gourmet meal- it's all a lie.

[caption id="attachment_2016" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Cloudy sunsets are still lovely sunsets!"]Cloudy sunsets are still lovely sunsets![/caption]

(5) Eat at The Old Stone Farmhouse.  The chef is a genius and the atmosphere- a 200 year old restored fieldhouse- cannot be beat.  Get the tasting menu with wine pairings.  I swear to you that they actually serve wine worth drinking chosen by an actual sommolier and not just random cases the restaurant needs to drink up- a rarity in prix fix menus- and well worth it!

[caption id="attachment_2017" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Ohm nom nom"]Ohm nom nom[/caption]

(6) Go shopping in Charlotte Amalia, but go when the cruise ships are NOT there.  Otherwise you will want to commit violent crime against the whiny, me-first east coasters who have cruised on down to flood the town, cut in lines, and argue with the locals.  Avoid at all costs!  That said, J. got a bargain price on a gorgeous Movado watch while there, and the cobblestone side streets are charming.

[caption id="attachment_2019" align="aligncenter" width="223" caption="The streets of Charlotte Amalie"]The streets of Charlotte Amalie[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_2020" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption=""I sailed! On my first try! I just let the boat do the work.""]"I sailed!  On my first try!  I just let the boat do the work."[/caption]

What you should maybe not do- or maybe absolutely should do?

On our last night in St. Thomas, J. and I decided to hit an open air restaurant in the middle of town for some live music.  During the day, the place is a tourist mecca.  But after dinner, the place turned into a serious night club, which we didn't realize ahead of time.  A metal detector was brought to the door and the club became packed with locals in a neighborhood that we'd been warned was "unsafe" at night for tourists.  But it was already too late by the time we figured this out- we were there.  And the music was insanely good.  Incredible.  We danced and danced and danced!  So yeah we were the only tourists (and only white people) there other than a random Canadian couple, and I'm sure the locals thought we danced like nerds, but it was quite possibly the best night we had there!  Just be aware that if you're considering doing the same, please be careful and use your common sense- I can't vouch for how safe it was :)

[caption id="attachment_2022" align="aligncenter" width="362" caption="Mmmwah! See ya'll next week!"]Mmmwah!  See you all next week![/caption]

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