Charlotte Amalie St. Thomas--walking tour?

CruisePhD · #1 (**permalink**) July 27th, 2007, 03:13 PM

I am taking HAL Westerdam to the Eastern Carribbean this December. I am interested in either contacting a historical walking tour company or designing my own walking tourfor the historic section of Charlotte Amalie. I plan to start from the dock and get as far as Blackbeard's castle. Any idea what this would be in terms of miles?
Any suggestions as to tour guides and/or companies?
Would I be safe doing this on my own with a map? I am 40 y.o. female, cruising alone, so I don't know if I'll have any acquaintances to accompany me.

Phil&Liz · #2 (**permalink**) July 27th, 2007, 04:41 PM

Go to vinow.com and read links there. Also the message board.(http://www.vinow.com/wwwtalk/list.php?4)

They are locals and can direct you.

Phil & Liz

CruisePhD · #3 (**permalink**) July 27th, 2007, 05:09 PM

Thanks for the link.

colorcrazie · #4 (**permalink**) July 28th, 2007, 01:37 PM

Just FYI, St. Thomas is extremely hilly. If you are going to try and walk to Blackbeard's Castle, plan on some serious uphill trekking.
Ha! I still have mental pic of a friend walking downhill from a b+b we were staying in for a long weekend. She insisted on wearing high heels to go out in the evening and between those and the steep hill, she ending up like a runaway semi in the mountains!

Marty

CruisePhD · #5 (**permalink**) August 7th, 2007, 10:55 AM

Thanks for the caution about hills, Marty. I plan to take a taxi to Bluebeard's castle. There is a website that advertises tours of historic Charlotte Amalie that starts out at the castle, and I am interested in that. Since taxis sound accessible and cheap, I'll use them to save my feet for the tour itself. Elaine

Divemaster · #6 (**permalink**) August 7th, 2007, 10:53 PM

Hmmm...if I was there I would tour the hills from a tram for the views and save the walking for Coral World. As for safety, this is no Jamaica, but noting a kid was killed fairly recently on neighboring St. John, the Islands are no Grand Cayman either.

Suppose you saw:

http://www.vinow.com/stthomas/attrac...tions_town.php

http://www.blackbeardscastle.com/bbc1829camap.htm

If you are fine with the heat, I say go for it, but take water and a hat and start from the castle, not the dock. Ask you shore excursions advisor or port lecturer on the ship for current conditions / advice.

Have fun and be sure to look for iguanas in the trees.

Quote:

Originally Posted by CruisePhD

I am taking HAL Westerdam to the Eastern Carribbean this December. I am interested in either contacting a historical walking tour company or designing my own walking tourfor the historic section of Charlotte Amalie. I plan to start from the dock and get as far as Blackbeard's castle. Any idea what this would be in terms of miles?
Any suggestions as to tour guides and/or companies?
Would I be safe doing this on my own with a map? I am 40 y.o. female, cruising alone, so I don't know if I'll have any acquaintances to accompany me.

colorcrazie · #7 (**permalink**) August 8th, 2007, 12:22 PM

Also, for the heat, if your health allow, take extra salt before you go and drink a ton of water beforehand.
Have fun...some of the views from those hills are fabulous!
Marty

CruisePhD · #8 (**permalink**) August 9th, 2007, 10:24 AM

I'd like to thank everyone for their advice. Wow, I didn't know it could get so warm in the Caribbean during the summer (this will be my first visit there). Right now I'm on the fence about touring the historic area; I might choose the catamaran-champagne excursion instead or hang out at the beach. But right now it is over 100 F where I live, so the idea of walking hilly streets on a hot, sunny day sounds REALLLY unappealing

Divemaster · #9 (**permalink**) August 9th, 2007, 02:40 PM

And the idea of taking a tram around the top of the island where the views are great and there are breezes becomes more appealing.

Quote:

Originally Posted by CruisePhD

I'd like to thank everyone for their advice. Wow, I didn't know it could get so warm in the Caribbean during the summer (this will be my first visit there). Right now I'm on the fence about touring the historic area; I might choose the catamaran-champagne excursion instead or hang out at the beach. But right now it is over 100 F where I live, so the idea of walking hilly streets on a hot, sunny day sounds REALLLY unappealing

Lard Greystoke · #10 (**permalink**) September 3rd, 2007, 12:07 AM

I walked Charlotte Amalie a couple of years ago, from the pier to the 99 steps (about a mile or so, with a bit of climbing - this alone would tax most people), and then up into the hills. The hills are about a thousand feet up and I would describe the climb as "brutal". Spectacular views, though.

Traffic along the harbor is not especially pedestrian-friendly, so some care is required. Up in the hills the cars simply can't go fast enough to hurt you. I felt sorry for them.

I also went southeast past the pier to Morningstar Beach. This way is flatter, but definitely not pedestrian-friendly and still a pretty fair hike. Development hinders your view of the sea for much of the way.

Walking within the town limits would be okay for most fit people. Getting up on the slopes would be recommended only for a rare few.

Lard Greystoke

Divemaster · #11 (**permalink**) September 3rd, 2007, 01:29 AM

OK, if you can do the hills above C A, you should be able to easily get up to the hotel on the ridge and over to the bridge to nowhere in Samana. That said you really should do the boat tour to the national park - you will get some walking in over there to some of the caves.

Dave

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lard Greystoke

I walked Charlotte Amalie a couple of years ago, from the pier to the 99 steps (about a mile or so, with a bit of climbing - this alone would tax most people), and then up into the hills. The hills are about a thousand feet up and I would describe the climb as "brutal". Spectacular views, though.

Traffic along the harbor is not especially pedestrian-friendly, so some care is required. Up in the hills the cars simply can't go fast enough to hurt you. I felt sorry for them.

I also went southeast past the pier to Morningstar Beach. This way is flatter, but definitely not pedestrian-friendly and still a pretty fair hike. Development hinders your view of the sea for much of the way.

Walking within the town limits would be okay for most fit people. Getting up on the slopes would be recommended only for a rare few.

Lard Greystoke

Lard Greystoke · #12 (**permalink**) September 9th, 2007, 04:38 PM

[quote="Divemaster"]OK, if you can do the hills above C A, you should be able to easily get up to the hotel on the ridge and over to the bridge to nowhere in Samana. That said you really should do the boat tour to the national park - you will get some walking in over there to some of the caves.

Lard Greystoke wrote: thanks for the advice.