The saying is probably worldwide, and it is definitely true for the island of St. John. Even though this is the smallest of the Virgins, 28 square miles in size, many say it is the loveliest.

Two thirds of St. John is a U.S. National Park, and there you see what the world is like when nature takes care of itself. Friends of the Virgin Islands National Park volunteers staff an information kiosk there. Spend day after day on beach after beach, each with its own panoramic view. Let a friendly mongoose lead you along a woodland trail. Many of them end on a plateau high in the sky, offering panoramic views of white beaches, emerald cays, and turquoise waters.

The trail to Rams Head on the northeast side of the island contrasts with the normal soft white sand Beaches found elsewhere on St. John. You start at the Salt Pond area, going past Trunk Bay on this two hour tour.

In Cruz Bay there are gift shops and well stocked grocery stores; there are also dive centers and jeep rental services. Once you've visited, you'll know why the natives call Cruz Bay, Love City.

Powdery white-sand beaches, lush green mountains, and a sheltered yacht-filled harbor characterize the island of Tortola, where the past of the West Indies meets the present of the BVI. The largest island in the chain, Tortola offers a variety of exciting vacation possibilities.

The protected anchorages at Brandywine Bay, Cane Garden Bay, Hodge's Creek Marina Cay, Soper's Hole, and Trellis Bay are ideal for boaters. Secluded palm-shaded beaches at Apple Bay, Brewer's Bay, Elizabeth Beach, Josiah's Bay Beach, Long Bay Beach, and Smuggler's Cove make for excellent swimming and snorkeling. There are also many well-equipped facilities for fishing, snorkeling, scuba diving, or horseback riding.

Wander through centuries-old ruins such as the Dungeon, Fort George, Fort Recovery, the Mount Healthy Windmill, and Callwood's Rum Distillery, which is still in operation, and explore Tortola's history at the BVI Folk Museum in Road Town.

St. Thomas combines the natural beauty of the islands with a cosmopolitan atmosphere. Charlotte Amalie, the capital of the U.S. Virgin Islands, is one of the most beautiful harbors in the world and the most visited port in the Caribbean. Elegant dining, exciting nightlife, and world-class duty-free shopping are abundant in Charlotte Amalie. The city's reputation as the shopping mecca of the Caribbean draws visitors from all over the region and around the world.

A mountainous island, St. Thomas offers stunning vistas in almost every direction. While Charlotte Amalie is full of energy, St. Thomas also provides natural wonders such as the indescribably beautiful Magens Bay and stunning views of the Caribbean from 1,500 feet above sea level. Drake's Seat is particularly famous for its vistas.

Sports and activities are abundant on St. Thomas. Golf enthusiasts will enjoy the George and Tom Fazio-designed Mahogany Run course. St. Thomas is also well known for its world-class yachting and sportfishing.

St. Lucia has always enjoyed the status of a being a picturesque island, boasting the twin coastal peaks, “The Pitons”, which are upward of 2,000 feet from the shore. The striking peaks shelter rainforests, where wild orchids, giant ferns and birds of paradise flourish. Brilliantly-hued tropical birds thrive, including endangered species like the indigenous St. Lucia parrot. The rainforest is broken only by lush fields and orchards of banana, coconut, mango, and papaya trees. But, the natural beauty is just one aspect of St. Lucia.

The other is the world renowned Jazz Festival, which has become one of the major items on the island’s calendar of events. During the month of May, the island and all things living move to the beat of jazz when music permeates the air and tourism takes on a different meaning.

St Lucia tourism officials who are Dominica promoting the St Lucia Jazz Festival say they are concerned that the high cost of regional travel could negatively impact on the this year’s festival.

“The budgets of most persons in the Caribbean would not allow them to travel to many events in the Caribbean.

“We are very concerned that if it continues to rise like that certainly we would see a significant decline from persons traveling within the Caribbean territories,” said Ian Herman, Marketing Manager of the St. Lucia tourist board.

He says a recommendation from LIAT for travelers to book flights in advance as a means of reducing cost was not practical at this point.