10. Island of St. John, U.S. Virgin Islands

In 1956, tycoon Laurance Rockefeller purchased a large portion of St. John and turned it into a national park to preserve the beauty of the island. Today, the smallest of the three U.S. Virgin Islands, St. John is 28 square miles — almost two-thirds of which is designated as a U.S. national park. As other islands in the Caribbean become overdeveloped with super-size resorts and tourist attractions, St. John remains remarkably untouched — a trait that only increases its lure.

There are two main resorts on the island, and a number of smaller accommodations classified as eco-tourism sites, meaning they are earth-friendly and typically powered by the wind and sun. These unique resorts are affordable and comfortable, offering privacy and a sense of peace. Simplicity aside, St. John sure doesn't skimp when it comes to great food and ambiance. There are excellent restaurants both at the resorts and in the colorful town of Cruz Bay, where the tiny streets house four-star establishments offering gourmet meals in a barefoot setting — you may have the urge to dress up for dinner, but leave your shoes behind!

There are a number of beaches on St. John, from the long sandy stretch of Cinnamon Bay to the more secluded Hawksnest Beach, Lameshur Bay and Salt Pond Bay. You may wish to explore them all or to pick your favorite on your first day of vacation, leaving your station only to eat and sleep. The beauty of St. John is there is no pressure to do anything on the island, except relax and enjoy the scenery. Oh, and of course, to snorkel, as the waters here are some of the clearest on any of the islands and home to schools of bright multicolored fish and meandering sea turtles. The sister U.S. Virgin Islands, as well as the nearby British Virgin Islands, are easily accessible by boat and make a great day trip to check out what's happening nearby. These islands are a little more fast-paced and house a variety of shops, restaurants and cultural attractions. That is, if you're able to tear yourself away from St. John, where it's easy to adapt to life on island time and difficult to leave.

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