When I was 19 or 20, my parents went to St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands on vacation. I was so jealous – I wanted to go so bad! I remember them telling me that “my time would come to travel.” And it did. Life has been good and I’ve been fortunate enough to have been to St. Thomas four times.

If you’re just getting started with traveling and want to go to a destination somewhat exotic, St. Thomas is the perfect choice – you’re still on American soil, you don’t need a passport, and the natives speak English!

The town of Charlotte Amalie has a beautiful harbor – especially at night with the cruise ship lights twinkling in the dark, but even during the day it is a sight to see the harbor from high up in the hills. Charlotte Amalie served as the capital of Denmark’s outpost in the Caribbean until 1917. It is now very much known for its duty free shopping and is a favorite stop for cruise ships.

Some must do’s:

Magans Bay – Deeded to the island as a public park, this gorgeous stretch of white sand lining pristine aqua waters is considered one of the most beautiful beaches in the world. Here you will find a bar, snack shack, beachwear boutique and bath-houses with restrooms, changing rooms, and saltwater showers are close by. Sunfish sailboats, kayaks, and paddleboards are the most popular rentals at the water-sports kiosk.

Mountain Top – From the observation deck you will get a bird’s-eye view that stretches from Puerto Rico’s out-island of Culebra in the west all the way to the British Virgin Islands in the east. There’s also a restaurant and duty-free shops that sell everything from Caribbean art to nautical antiques, ship models, and touristy T-shirts.

99 Steps – Take this staircase, which was built by the Danes in the 1700s, up to the residential area above Charlotte Amalie and to Blackbeard’s Castle, a U.S. national historic landmark.

Shopping – Among the best buys are liquor, linens, china, crystal, and jewelry. Local crafts include shell jewelry, carved calabash bowls, straw brooms, woven baskets, and dolls. Spice mixes, hot sauces, and tropical jams and jellies are other native products you will find in Charlotte Amalie.

And one last tip – if you rent a car – they drive on the left!