The Ritz-Carlton, St. Thomas in the U.S. Virgin Islands is encouraging guests to walk with nature and making it easy to explore nearby Virgin Islands National Park, which covers 60 percent of St. John and is famous for its diving, snorkeling and hiking trails.
The St. Thomas beach resort recently introduced a picnic prepared by its talented chefs, for guests heading over to St. John for a day of exploration. The rustic lunch, which is served in a picnic backpack ideal for hiking, includes sliced charcuterie and cheese, olives, hummus, antipasto salad, crusty bread, cookies and fresh fruit for dessert, and a bottle of wine.
Ferries to St. John run on the hour, and the ferry terminal is just a five-minute drive from the luxury resort. Once in St. John, guests can begin hiking trails such as those to Honeymoon and Solomon beaches, or take a taxi to other trail heads for hikes to plantation ruins, petroglyph rock carvings and colorful coral reefs.