St. John, U.S. Virgin Islands

The Love City

If you close your eyes and think of a desert island, you’re probably picturing something that looks a lot like St. John. Luckily for you, this island paradise has all the perks of being pristine and unspoiled with the added advantage of modern amenities. Not to mention a way off—that is if you can bring yourself to leave.

The smallest of the U.S. Virgin Islands, St. John is only nine miles by three miles, and two-thirds of that area is national park. This is your chance to explore some truly great outdoors in the Virgin Islands National Park. Go for a guided hike of Reef Bay, or discover the underwater world at Trunk Bay—one of the world’s most stunning beaches, there’s also a marked under-sea snorkeling trail you can follow.

And if you’re looking for a slightly more relaxed activity, fill up a cooler with some refreshing chilled beverages and find a beach chair to plant yourself in. The post-card worthy white sand beaches with turquoise waters are nothing short of idyllic.