A new way to experience St John

By Sarah Greaves-Gabbadon
CJ Travel Editor

To celebrate this year’s centennial of the National Parks Service The Ritz-Carlton, St Thomas is encouraging its guests to explore their nearest national treasure, Virgin Islands National Park on neighboring St. John, by providing them with a gourmet meal to go.

Chefs at the 180-room resort overlooking Great Bay beach will prepare a backpack with a moveable feast of charcuterie, cheese, olives, antipasto and crusty bread, accompanied by fresh fruit and cookies for dessert. A bottle of wine (also included) will come in handy for toasting to the splendor of the park, which covers 60 percent of St. John and is popular with hikers, divers and snorkelers.

The dock is only five minutes’ drive from the Ritz-Carlton, St. Thomas, and the resort’s concierges can handle arrangements for guided tours on St. John. The picnic is available now, and costs $225 for two people.