Winter Escapes: Now Departing For...

St. Thomas
American 883 // Four hours

Both mountainous and sand-strewn, St. Thomas looks kind of like the set of Lost, minus the polar bears and black-smoke monster. Capital city Charlotte Amalie's marina is the busiest in the Caribbean, and the beach at nearby heart-shaped Magens Bay is considered to be among the world's most beautiful. Drake's Seat, one of the island's highest points, boasts unparalleled views of the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Take off
Fly from Logan at 10:20 a.m. on Sunday; Flight 856 lands back in Boston at 7:30 p.m. the same day. 800-433-7300, aa.com.

Stay
The Ritz-Carlton's 70 brand-new Caribbean-facing rooms and expanded spa are part of the resort's $40 million improvement. The penthouse suite has its own bar and butler's pantry. Doubles from $799; 340-775-3333, ritzcarlton.com.

Eat
The Grande Cru wine bar at the Yacht Haven Grande marina serves daily scallop specials, pancetta-crusted lamb chops, and flights of fine vintages. 340-775-8278, yachthavengrande.com.

Swim (with sharks!)
It's Disney World, submerged: Coral World Ocean Park is an aquarium, observatory, and garden in one, where guests can consort with sharks and sea lions and spy indigenous birds. 340-775-1555, coralworldvi.com.

Pack
A credit card. The Virgin Islands are renowned for great deals on jewelry and art.

Turks and Caicos
American 1501 // Three hours, 30 minutes

Shrouded in palm trees and privacy, the Turks and Caicos offer the posh a convenient getaway (Ben and Jen chose the 40-island archipelago for their 2005 nuptials). The two main isles, Grand Turk and Providenciales, have luxe spas, snorkeling, diving, and kayaking, while some of the surrounding cays are home to five-star resorts.

Take off
American's 11 a.m. flight touches down in Providenciales on Saturday. The return leg, Flight 1524, lands in Boston on Saturday at 7:20 p.m. 800-433-7300, aa.com.

Stay
The newest retreat from the VIP-friendly Aman Resorts, Amanyara encompasses 40 oceanside glass-and-wood pavilions, clay tennis courts, and a 30-seat screening room. Doubles from $1,450; 649-941-8133, amanresorts.com.

Eat
The Somerset's O'Soleil restaurant on Grace Bay puts an island twist on old favorites. Try the tequila-cured salmon and the caesar salad with plantain croutons. 649-946-5900, thesomerset.com.

Watch
From January until April, more than 2,500 humpback whales swim through the West Indies. Boaters and scuba divers can hear their migratory calls. 649-946-6909, turksandcaicoswhalewatching.com.

Pack
Bug spray. Without it, mosquitoes will make a meal of your ankles.

By Matthew Reed Baker, Blythe Copeland, Sascha de Gersdorff, Amy Derjue, J.L. Johnson, Ann Lucas, Jason Schwartz, and Amy Traverso.

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