St. Thomas is a shoppers paradise! The island is duty-free and a shopping mecca of the Caribbean. The colorful town/port of Charlotte Amalie boasts some of the best shopping in the Caribbean. Visitors will enjoy strolling and browsing the shops along the Waterfront and Main Street where restored seventeenth and eighteenth century warehouses which once housed rum and exotic spices now play host to a variety of unique shops.
What to buy? Shoppers will find excellent bargains on perfume, liquor, cameras, china, crystal, leather goods, jewelry and gold as well as local handcrafts. Prices can represent up to a 40% discount less than the United States and liquor and cigarettes are often up to 60% less than stateside prices.
The stores are generally open from 9 AM to 5 PM Monday through Saturday. During the winter season when cruise ships are in port, some of the stores are open on Sunday mornings as well.
Some of the most desirable items shoppers seek are fine Lladro porcelain figurines, Swarovski crystal, Baume & Mercier & Patek Phillippe & Tag-Heuer watches. Gorgeous jewelry may be found at Little Switzerland, Columbian Emeralds. Boolcharnds offers a variety of cameras and video camcorders as well as luxurious tablecloths. Boolchands is the largest retailer of photographic equipment for over 50 years and carries such top name brands as Canon, Kodak, Richo, Konica, NIkon, Olympus and Vivitar. Boolchands actually has 17 stores throughout the Caribbean and so it is able to buy in greater volume and extend the extra savings on to clients.
Columbian Emeralds is one of the most famous names for jewelry in the islands. While it's specialty is emeralds the stores also offer impressive selections of diamonds, rubies, sapphires and designer gold pieces. Columbian Emeralds is, also, one of the Caribbean's most trusted sources for famous timepieces.
Little Switzerland is a wonderful store that offers extraordinary duty-free prices on watches and jewelry as well as fine china, crystal and figurines. Little Switzerland, also, offers many famous name brand watches to include Rolex, Tiffany and Zodiac as well as Omega. Those looking to complete their place settings will find the famous china lines of Wedgwood, Royal Doulton, and Royal Albert as well as Waterford, Baccarat and Orrefors crystal.
Mr. Tablecloth offers incredibly reasonable prices for to quality tablecloths and accessories such as runners and place mats. The owner travels to China to personally choose the very best in quality and workmanship. Imported tablecloths in pure cotton, organdy and Irish linen may be found.
AH Rise gift and liquor stores which have been a landmark on St. Thomas since 1838, offer some oft he world's finest names in jewelry, watches, perfumes and cosmetics as well as china, crystal and flatware.
Since the island is duty-free, U.S. citizens are permitted to bring home up to $1,600 duty-free. The $1,600 is twice the amount permitted from any other Caribbean island. For purchased over the $1,600, a flat rate of 6% is charged. Additionally, shoppers may mail home an unlimited number of gusts worth $100 or less to friends and relatives.
Visitors to the island will find that private villa rentals are the preferred accommodations on this island. Private villas offer the added bonus of several bedrooms, plenty of living space and fully equipped kitchens. Additionally, most of the private villas boast exceptional views and private swimming pools. Villas Caribe has been in business over 19 years and offers an exciting collection of private home rentals.
The Caribbean Countess is a luxury villa nestled on a very private hillside. The home offers gorgeous ocean views from all of it's room. The villa is built as three separate buildings providing the utmost in privacy. The villa offers four air-conditioned bedrooms and the master bedroom is in it's own private building. The interiors are comfortably furnished and offers a colorful collection of original Caribbean art. Outside, there is a large tiled pool deck that offers exceptional views of Magen's Bay Beach. http://stthomas.villascaribe.com/villa-listing/caribbean-countess
The Silk Cotton is a gorgeous hillside villa located on Mafolie Hill overlooking picturesque Charlotte Amalie Harbor. The villa offers 180 degree panoramas of the green hills, ocean and cruise ships. Indeed, when the sun sets and cruise ships begin making steam the twinkling lights of the ships and town are truly magical views. Silk Cotton offers exceptional architecture and all of the upscale living spaces pen to the pool which overlooks the harbor. The Great Room is expansive and well appointed. It is framed by native stone archways onto the sunny 16 x 45 pool and it's spacious tiled deck. The villa offers five bedrooms and five baths. http://stthomas.villascaribe.com/villa-listing/silk-cotton
The Sea Star villa is an upscale waterfront villa located on quiet Cabrita Point on the East End of the island. It is located just 24 feet from a coral beach and offers views of Great Bay, Great St. James Island, St. John and is within walking distance of the Ritz Carlton Resort. The villa is built on two levels and offers full air-conditioning. The interiors feature seagrass and teak furniture in a Caribbean style. Sea Star offers five bedrooms and five baths. Pocket doors open to the villa's seaside which is bordered by sun deck and the infinity pool. Covered pavilions are located on each end of the pool which provide the ideal spots for reading, relaxing or just taking in the peaceful views. While the beach is coral and not soft sand, excellent snorkeling may be enjoyed off shore and a nice sandy beach is within walking distance of the villa. http://stthomas.villascaribe.com/villa-listing/sea-star-st-thomas
Shoppers looking for wonderful treasures are sure to find them on St. Thomas! An added bonus is a stay at a fabulous private villa complete with a private swimming pool.
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