DINING & ENTERTAINMENT are always important vacation pleasures and if you're staying at Blazing Villas you can enjoy dining  at all three restaurants on the premises of the Renaissance Grand Beach Resort: Smuggler's dinner restaurant, Baywinds for informal dining and a fun, moderately priced beach bar/grill.   Nearby, you can confidently choose Romano's for your big deal meal.  They specialize in northern Italian cuisine, and the restaurant is so popular you may want to make reservations before you leave home at (809) 775-0045. At Sandra's Terrace you can yam-down on some great native food.  Or try Agave Terrace at Point Pleasant Resort, of some of the best, innovative seafood on the island.

 If take-out is more your style, order in from Senior Pizza, whose profits go to support the V.I. Olympic Bobsled Team (it's a Caribbean thing.) And there's Chinese as well.  For a touring picnic try Lake's Fried Chicken , reputed to be the best on the island.

Water sports, wave runners, parasailing, power boat rentals, and day sails are available at the beach.  Snorkeling, scuba trips (including the famous Wreck of the Rhone dive) and certifications are available at the resort's Chris Sawyer Dive Center, (809) 775-7320.

Don't miss the sunset sail on Coconuts, or better yet, take the day sail to the sleepy island of Jost Van Dyke, and the infamous Foxy's Bar in the BVI. Deep sea fishing can be arranged by the resort's tour desk.

The seaside village of Red Hook, with fun shopping, dining, take-out and night life is just minutes away.  There's also a couple of good grocery stores.

At Red Hook you can take the 20 minute ferry ride across Pillsbury Sound to the magical island of St. John.  Plan at least one day in this special place.  Over two-thirds of the island is unspoiled U.S. National Park (809) 776-6201l.  There are great hiking trails, most of which end at secluded beaches, and unique shopping, restaurants and a laid back way of life that's totally unlike St. Thomas.

Downtown Charlotte Amalie, the shopping capital of the Caribbean, is a 20 minute ride.  Plan a major jewelry purchase, or check out new designer boutiques opening for the '96-'97 season.  While downtown, plan to visit St. Thomas' historic 200 year old Synagogue.

Or go to Havensight Mall for easy parking and scaled down versions of many of the Main Street stores, plus lots of interesting independent shops.  While you're there, drop into Blazing Photos and say 'hi' to your hosts Marc and Marianne Blazer.

St. Thomas is well worth exploring, and there's a car rental agency on property if you just want to make a day's tour.  We drive on the left on St. Thomas, in regular left-side steering cars.  Taxi tours and transportation are always available.  There's also a challenging and picturesque  golf course at Mahogany Run . 

There's lots of great dining spots and fun touring attractions all around the island.