Charlotte Amalie Cruises, US Virgin Islands

The city of Charlotte Amalie’s the capital of the island of St Thomas, and is known for its deep natural harbour. Christopher Columbus first landed here in 1493, and since then everyone from the legendary pirate Blackbeard to the US Navy have used it as a base. It’s also known for its colourful Danish architecture and ruby-red stronghold. The latter, Fort Christian, is the oldest building in the Virgin Islands archipelago, and was built in 1680 to protect the area from invading fleets. It’s now a museum, where you can learn about the region’s slavery-and-piracy-filled past while you take a look at centuries-old cannons and antiques.

• Charlotte Amalie’s downtown district is where you’ll find most of the city’s jewellery shops and souvenir boutiques. You can buy everything from diamond earrings to sea-glass bracelets here.
• If you’re looking for a quiet day out on Charlotte Amalie’s turquoise water, book a laidback catamaran cruise. The skipper might drop the anchor in a quiet spot, where you can enjoy a cool-down dip.