St. Croixat $257 RT

Beyond the beautiful beaches and tropical landscapes, St. Croix island holds a deep history as the homeland of the Taíno and Carib people, who called it Ay Ay, or “island of water.”

Today, you can still experience the legacy of these indigenous communities through art, music, and cultural celebrations. Start with a visit to Salt River Bay National Historical Park, where ancient petroglyphs and archaeological sites reveal stories of the island's ancestors. 

One can't-miss season on Saint Croix is January through March, when the island turns up the festive heat with the Crucian Christmas Festival and Mardi Gras celebrations.

From December into January, the Crucian Christmas Festival brings African, European, and Indigenous influences together for a high-energy holiday fusion.

Just as the Christmas festivities wrap up, Mardi Gras (or Mardi Croix as it's known here) keeps the party going with even beachside parades and parties.