ST. THOMAS, US Virgin Islands

St. Thomas is the sophisticated U.S. Virgin Island with lots of action, attractions and activities. As the Caribbean's most popular cruise-ship port, this centerpiece of the U.S. Virgin Islands impresses more than a million visitors a year with its sophisticated pleasures. You can enjoy delicious dining - some of the best restaurants are in Frenchtown, just outside the capital of Charlotte Amalie. St. Thomas has a good number of cosmopolitan five-star restaurants, many of them open to tropical breezes and the view. But don't forget to sample the native cuisine - fresh local fish and dishes like fungi and kallaloo. - Or shop with the rich and famous.

This island has a well-deserved reputation as the duty-free shopping mecca of the West Indies. Charlotte Amalie, once a thriving Danish outpost, is a historical town where narrow alleys lead to centuries-old warehouses that now house charming boutiques and sidewalk cafés.

Spend your days at any one of the many palm-fringed beaches, rising from your beach chair or towel only to paddle about in the azure sea. Use a mask and snorkel to spy on the exotic undersea world that surrounds St. Thomas. Or don a scuba tank for an adventure down into the deep.

Sail or windsurf to any of the offshore cays that dot the horizon, or practice your putt at our seaside Mahogany Run Golf Course. Sailors know St. Thomas as a major yacht charter center in the heart of the Caribbean's favorite cruising grounds. Beach-lovers who prefer the nonstop action of seaside bars and water sports will find their fill at Magens Bay's mile-long crescent of white sand.

Though it is one of the more beautiful islands in the Lesser Antilles, St. Thomas is not your tranquil tropical hideaway. This is an isle for travelers who enjoy the pleasures of the beach and the bustle of a vibrant city.

SIGHTSEEING Hike the heights above picturesque Charlotte Amalie. Start at the Seven Arches Museum, a lovingly restored 19th-century house, then head west on Kongens Gade and take the famed 99 Steps to the summit of Government Hill. Near the top, visit Fort Skytsborg, now known as Blackbeard's Castle, and Haagensen House, an early-19th-century banker's home graced with terraced gardens. Retracing your steps to Kongens Gade, walk east to take in one last panoramic view of the magnificent harbor from the red-roofed Government House.

NIGHTLIFE Treat your taste buds to a West Indian feast - callaloo stew, lobster, fungi, and fried plantains - accompanied by steel pan music. Then get moving to the sounds of calypso and reggae - they don't call St. Thomas the "Nightclub of the West Indies" for nothing. For a little uptown culture, see what's playing at the Reichhold Center for the Arts, a showcase for Caribbean playwrights, jazz, dance, and symphony orchestras.

SHOPPING Waterfront warehouses that held trade goods 200 years ago are now filled with the finer things of modern life - crystal, china, cameras, perfumes, and jewelry - all of it tax-free. Savvy shoppers will know in advance exactly what they want and its price back home. For something you won't find at your local mall, visit the Native Arts & Crafts Cooperative downtown, run by local artists.