Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Island Tours
Land tours are not a big draw on St. Thomas. They are most
popular with cruise passengers, who have only a few hours
to spend here. If that's not enough, the concierge desk at
your hotel can arrange for a half-day trip around the island.
Some tours stop at Coral World and others at Mountain Top,
the highest point on the island. The largest tour operator on
St. Thomas is
Tropic Tours
(
774-1855). Call them to ar-
range a two-hour minivan tour. The set fare is $45 for one or
two passengers and $15 for each additional passenger.
Hotel taxis also offer private island tours. The cost is about
the same ($50), but you'll have more input on the itinerary.
A Capsule History
The Virgin Islands were named by Christopher
Columbus on his second voyage in 1493. The is-
lands were inhabited by the fierce Carib Indians
and, after a rude reception on St. Croix, Colum-
bus did not attempt to land here. But he was so impressed by
the beauty and huge number of islands, he named them for
St. Ursula and her 11,000 virgins.
ST. URSULA
Legends say that Ursula,
daughter of an ancient Brit-
ish king, was killed along
with her handmaidens by a
pagan prince whose atten-
tions she spurned. Another
legend blames the evil deed
on Huns at Cologne during
the Middle Ages. Take your
pick.
Although noted on Spanish maps of the New World, no at-
tempt was made to settle the island until 1666 and then it
was
Denmark
that
attempted
it,
not
Spain.
Troubles
