At 84 square miles, St. Croix is the largest of the U.S. Virgin Islands. At the east end -- which actually is the easternmost point of the United States -- the terrain is rocky and arid. The west end is more lush and even includes a small "rain forest" of mango, mahogany, tree ferns, and dangling lianas. Between the two extremes are beautiful beaches, rolling hills, pastures, and, increasingly, miles of condos.

Christopher Columbus named the island Santa Cruz (Holy Cross) when he landed on November 14, 1493. He anchored his ship off the north shore but was quickly driven away by the spears, arrows, and axes of the Carib Indians. The French laid claim to the island in 1650; the Danes purchased it from them in 1773. Under their rule, the slave trade and sugar cane fields flourished until the latter half of the 19th century. Danish influence still permeates the island today.

St. Croix is a lot more relaxed with friendlier people than St. Thomas, although there have been acts of violence and hostility against visitors in the past. It is nowhere near as inviting or welcoming as St. John, and St. Croix doesn't approach the graciousness encountered in the British Virgin Islands. Additionally, the introduction of gambling has brought a more jaded Atlantic City or Las Vegas type of tourist to the island. Even with gambling, St. Croix has a long way to go to reach the sharp edge projected by the mass tourism of St. Thomas.