America's Paradise: Are You Good to Go?
Professor David J. Demko, PhD, AgeVenture News Service
No doubt about it. You need a vacation. A chance to jump off that hectic
treadmill you call "a life". Time to recharge your batteries. Grab a little
"peace and quiet" ... and a whole lot of "rest and relaxation". Start playing as
hard as you've been working. Afterall, Paradise is calling, and you deserve to
go.
Transport yourself to a glorious refuge from reality. Get away to
the U. S. Virgin Islands ... America's Paradise. Close your eyes and imagine
yourself sipping a cool drink while you daydream in a cozy hammock perched
between two palm trees swaying in the warm ocean breeze. Your eyes raise to the
heavens, and you see cotton-white clouds drifting across a bright blue sky. But
it's getting harder to keep your sleepy eyelids open as the soft sounds of
tropical music and the gentle cadence of the surf lull you away to dream land.
You have just entered the "V.I. Zone" ... America's Caribbean Paradise.
Okay, wake up. Time to make this daydream a reality. You need to plan
for a vacation. No, not one of those vacations that you return from feeling like
you need a vacation ... from your vacation ... because you're physically,
emotionally, and financially exhausted. You need a REAL vacation. The kind that
makes you new again.
Are you ready? The line starts here. There's
something for everyone in the United States Virgin Islands: St. John, St.
Thomas, St. Croix. These real vacations match your relaxation needs with every
rejuvenating experience the islands have to offer. A "no worries", "good value",
"fits like a glove" real vacation itinerary. Mix and match these options until
you've created a custom-fit for your perfect get-a-way experience.
- Adventure travelers
will enjoy the
thrill of kayaking, horseback riding, hiking, snorkeling, parasailing, scuba
diving, and casino gambling. St. Thomas and St. Croix also offer the best golf
greens for teeing off in the Caribbean.
- Cultural and historical buffs
will
find countless museums, sugar mills, rum factories, and centuries old houses
of worship to explore. Don't miss the live jazz, Caribbean bands, and riveting
theatrical performances.
- Shop-Til-You-Drop vacationers
will
find every kind of quaint boutique imaginable. And, there's the $1,200
duty-free shopping allowance ... twice that of any other Caribbean island ...
three times that of European countries.
- Eco-tourists
will delight in the
abundance of wildlife sanctuaries, nature walks through a tropical rain
forest, a living desert, and under-water snorkel trails.
- Gourmet Diners
will enjoy traditional
multi-cultural fare or sample the extraordinary West Indian foods such as
kallaloo, johnny cakes, fungi, and fresh seafood galore. Enjoy it with a glass
of maubi, the favorite local beverage.
- Newly Weds and Long Time Couples
will
find romantic get-a-ways including secluded beaches, an abundance of cozy
bed-and-breakfast inns, and exotic resorts.
- Young Families and Grandparents with
Grandkids
will find plenty of fun, activities, and special rates
for sharing time and creating memories with loved ones. This list
represents just a taste of the entire banquet of entertainment available in the
USVI. In my next column, I'll show you how to pick and choose what's right for
you ... along with all the details on island activities. For that, you'll first
need to know your "V.I.-Q", which is where you fit within the overall "tourist
taxonomy". But that's for the next column in my travel series titled "Paradise
Honor Roll: top attractions in the U.S. Virgin Islands".
Here's a final
note for those who have not yet experienced the USVI. St. John, St. Thomas, and
St. Croix are your islands ... official U.S. territory. No passport required.
You'll feel right at home. Each time I visit the islands, that's exactly how I
feel. For example, the native culture is a continuously evolving Creole heritage
that reflects Danish, Spanish, Irish, Polish, and German ancestry.
Click on one of the photos above, and learn more about the U.S. Virgin Islands. After all, you deserve to go to Paradise ... and soon.
Graphic Credit: AgeVenture News Photo
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