U.S. Virgin Islands

At this 17-acre estate, fragrant flora grows amid the ruins of a 19th-century sugarcane plantation. — Fodor's

St. John's most-photographed beach is also the preferred spot for beginning snorkelers because of its underwater trail. — Fodor's

You can tour the great house of this Frederiksted museum and stroll through the windmill and bath house. — U.S. News & World Report

Deeded to the island as a public park, this heart-shape stretch of white sand is considered one of the most beautiful in the world. — Fodor's

Buck Island has pristine beaches that are just right for sunbathing, but there's also some shade for those who don't want to fry. — Fodor's

This island, the fourth-largest of the U.S. Virgin Islands, floats about a ¼ mile (½ km) out in Charlotte Amalie harbor. — Fodor's

Staff feed the sea creatures and give talks about marine biology throughout the day. — Lonely Planet

This rocky promontory, the easternmost point in the United States, is about a half-hour drive from Christiansted. — Fodor's

This joint national and local park commemorates the area where Christopher Columbus's men skirmished with the Carib Indians in 1493 on his second visit to the New World. — Fodor's

The fort, completed in 1760, houses an art gallery and a number of interesting historical exhibits, including some focusing on the 1848 Emancipation. — Fodor's

Fly skyward in a seven-minute gondola ride to Paradise Point, an overlook with breathtaking views of Charlotte Amalie and the harbor. — Fodor's

On the island's breezy North Shore, Cane Bay does not always have gentle waters, but there are seldom many people around, and the scuba diving and snorkeling are wondrous. — Fodor's

Remember the final scene from The Shawshank Redemption? This is where it was shot! — Lonely Planet

The white building with the Georgian steeple was St Croix's first house of worship. — Lonely Planet

It's now a national historic site, the best preserved of the few remaining Danish-built forts in the Virgin Islands. The park's visitor center is here. Rangers are on hand to answer questions. — Fodor's

Several years ago, while surveying the property, the owners discovered the ruins of a sugar plantation beneath the rain-forest brush. — Fodor's