just a three-hour flight from Miami.

從邁阿密出發只需要 3 小時的飛機

Located southwest of the British Virgin Islands,

位處英屬維京群島西南部

the U.S. Virgins are made up of three main islands,

美屬維京群島 主要由 3 座島嶼組成

and surrounded by around fifty smaller cays and islets.

周圍環繞著近 50 座 沙洲和小島

The islands are lush with vegetation and caressed by sparkling waters.

這些島嶼植被茂盛， 海水波光淋漓

Though celebrated for their sandy beaches and idyllic scenery,

當地雖然是以 沙灘和優美景致聞名

things haven't always been so peaceful here.

當地的歷史卻是波瀾不斷

The island group was occupied by many European countries throughout their history,

這座群島曾為 許多歐洲國家所佔領

until the United States purchased them from Denmark in 1917.

美國在 1917 年 從丹麥手上買下了這座群島

Over 100 years later, the islands remain a U.S. territory,

100 多年來，這座群島都是 美國領土

popular with American sun-worshippers and cruise passengers

尤其受到追求陽光的 美國旅客和遊輪歡迎

as they require no passport and the main currency is the U.S. dollar.

不用護照，主要貨幣又是美元， 自然大大加分

The largest of the U.S. Virgin Islands,

美屬維京群島之中最大的聖克羅伊島

St. Croix was first named Santa Cruz by Christopher Columbus in 1493.

1493 年為哥倫布 最先命名為聖克魯斯

The quickest way to taste the historical flavors of the island is at the Cruzan Rum Distillery.

最快品嘗這座島嶼歷史風味的方式， 就是去一趟克鲁贊蘭姆酒廠

Let the enticing aromas of fermenting molasses lure you to this enduring establishment,

讓糖蜜發酵的誘人香味 指引您一路來到這座歷史悠久的酒廠

where the spirit of St Croix has been lovingly bottled for over 200 years.

200 多年來，聖克羅伊島的烈酒 都是在這裡用心保存

The island's fertile soils were once coveted for the farming of

島上肥沃的土地 曾一度種滿了

sugar, tobacco, cotton, and indigo.

甘蔗、菸草、棉花和染料

Estate Whim Museum was one of the most successful sugar plantations in the region,

維姆莊園博物館曾經是這裡 最成功的糖廠

and today it remains a popular stop for history lovers.

時至今日，仍吸引到許多歷史愛好者前來探索

Wander through the sprawling colonial residence and slave quarters,

逛一逛這裡到處林立的 殖民住宅和奴隸生活區

which evoke the island's often heartbreaking past as well as its uplifting tales of liberation.

叫人回想起這座島不堪回首的過去， 以及激勵人心的解放故事

To the leeward side of the island is Frederiksted,

島上向風的那一側是弗雷德里克斯德

the island's main port town.

是這座島主要的港口城鎮

Plagued by pirates,

由於海盜侵擾不休

the Dutch built Fort Frederik here in the 1750s.

1750 年代荷蘭人在此建立了佛瑞得瑞克堡壘

It was from this fort in 1848,

在 1848 年，丹麥政府為平息暴動

that the Danish governor freed the island's slaves at the eleventh hour

在暴動開始後的第 11 個小時 在這座堡壘解放了島上的奴隸

to quell a violent uprising.

平息了暴力抗爭

On the eastern side of St Croix,

聖克魯斯島的東側

admire the island's colorful European influence in Christiansted.

您可以在克里斯琴斯特德 欣賞到色彩繽紛的歐式建築

Once the capital of the Danish West Indies,

這裡曾是丹麥西印度群島的首都

this town is a postcard-worthy example of Danish architecture and style.

丹麥式建築風格， 每個角落都像一張明信片

Just a 20-minute flight north of St Croix is St. Thomas,

從聖克魯斯島往北飛 20 分鐘 就是聖托馬斯

the second largest island in the territory.

這一帶第二大的島嶼

St. Thomas is home to the U.S. Virgin Island's capital, Charlotte Amalie,

聖托馬斯是美屬維京群島首都 夏洛特安馬利耶的所在地

a bustling port town which is often dominated by enormous luxury liners.

這座繁忙的港口城市時常停滿了 大型豪華遊輪

Catch the St. Thomas Skyride up the mountain to get commanding views of the vibrant port,

搭乘聖托馬斯纜車上山， 俯瞰這裡生氣蓬勃的港口

… or climb the stairs to Blackbeard's Castle,

或爬著階梯登上黑鬍子城堡

a pirate watchtower built by the Danes in the 17th century.

這是丹麥人在 17 世紀所建的 海盜瞭望塔

Sharing this harbor view are grand manor houses which date back to the late 1600s.

華美的莊園為港口景致更添色彩， 這些建築歷史溯及 17 世紀晚期

Gaze out from their intricate balconies,

從裝飾繁複的陽台向外眺望

you never know, you might just spot a pirate ship.

說不定，還看得到海盜船呢

Just a 15-minute drive to the east is Frydendal,

往東邊 15 分鐘的車程就會來到弗萊登戴爾

a settlement that entices honeymooners and romantics with its beachside resorts and restaurants.

這裡濱海的度假屋和餐廳吸引 情侶和新婚夫妻來此度過浪漫假期

Make your way to this side of the island to indulge in a little R&R with someone special,

來到島上了這一側， 和另一半享受慵懶的度假時光

and perhaps even a cocktail or two.

或啜飲幾杯雞尾酒

The east coast is blessed with abundant sandy beaches and calm,

東岸這一面 有許多沙灘

clear waters, and chances are you'll find a sheltered cove all to yourself.

和寧靜清澈的海水， 您或許還能找到一處專屬秘洞呢

Once you've explored St. Thomas,

探索過聖托馬斯後

take the short ferry ride to St. John.

搭乘短短一段渡船前往聖約翰

Step ashore at Cruz Bay,

在克魯斯灣下船

the largest of the island's towns,

這是島上最大的城鎮

and chow down on some traditional Caribbean fare.

可以享用到加勒比海傳統食物

Like its sister islands, St John was colonized by the Danes,

就像鄰近的其他島嶼， 聖約翰早期也受丹麥殖民

whose once lucrative sugar plantations now lie in ruin across the island.

殖民者繁極一時的糖廠 現在都成了的廢墟，遍布島上

The most famous of these is the Annaberg Plantation,

其中最著名的是安納貝格糖廠

whose mills fell silent when slavery was abolished.

廢奴之後，糖廠也沉寂了下來

Wander through the old slave quarters and crumbling windmill,

在舊時的奴隸生活區和頹敗的磨坊 逛一逛

which overlook Leinster Bay.

俯視雷恩斯特海灣

Explore more plantation ruins just off the shoreline at Cinnamon Bay,

沿著肉桂灣的海岸線， 可以探索更多棄置的種植場

where Mother Nature reclaims the time-worn stone structures with each passing year.

隨著時間流逝，大自然慢慢地 佔據了這些寫滿了年歲的石頭建築

Step out from the forest's shadows onto the sunlit sands of Cinnamon Beach.

從鬱鬱森林走出來， 迎向陽光燦爛的肉桂灣海灘

From here, follow the coast back to Cruz Bay,

沿著海岸，走回克魯斯灣

where you'll find one secluded beach after another.

沿途是一個接著一個的 的隱密海灘

Despite past ravages of slavery and piracy,

儘管歷經奴隸制度和海盜的肆虐

The U.S. Virgin Islands have become known for their pristine natural beauty and welcoming people.

美屬維京群島現在 以純淨海灘和熱情的居民聞名

They have healed and grown stronger with each passing generation,

隨著世代交替， 歷史的傷口逐漸癒合

and are now the perfect port of call for relaxation, recreation, and rejuvenation.

成長為現在休閒放鬆、 復甦重生的完美地點