The color and charm of the Caribbean come to life in the waterfront town of Charlotte Amalie, capital of St. Thomas, where most visitors begin their visit to the island. Seafarers from all over the globe used to flock to this old-world Danish town, as did pirates and sailors of the Confederacy, who used the port during the American Civil War. At one time, St. Thomas was the biggest slave market in the world.

Old warehouses, once used for storing stolen pirate goods, have been converted to shops. In fact, the main streets, called "Gade" (a reflection of their Danish heritage), now coalesce into a virtual shopping mall. The streets are often packed. Sandwiched among these shops are a few historic buildings, most of which can be seen on foot in about 2 hours. Try the walking tour below to visit the city's attractions.

Additionally, the Paradise Point Tramway (tel. 340/774-9809) affords visitors a dramatic view of Charlotte Amalie harbor, with a ride to a 697-foot peak, although you'll pay dearly for the privilege. The tramway, similar to those used at ski resorts, operates six cars, each with a 12-person capacity, for the 15-minute round-trip ride. It transports customers from the Havensight area to Paradise Point, where they can disembark to visit shops and the popular restaurant and bar. The tramway runs daily from 9am to 5pm, Wednesday and Friday from 9am to 9pm, costing $15 per adult round-trip, $7.50 for children.