When planning a vacation, everyone has their own agenda. Some people like to be constantly on the go, with a pack on their back and an itinerary ten miles long. The other end of the spectrum reveals a different breed; beach lovers with the sole desire to release their cares by means of matching their breath and heartbeat to the gentle ebb and flow of the waves. If you fall into the latter category, it is clear that St. John is the place for you.

There are activities on the island that require an attention span, some physical exertion, and at least a partial desire to wander. These include swimming, snorkeling, hiking through the Virgin Islands National Park, and shopping for trinkets. While your efforts to fall into the role of a traditional tourist will be rewarding, if you really are dead set on lounging, sunning, napping, and catching up on your novel-reading, then be assured that you won’t be judged for remaining mostly horizontal while you’re here in St. John.

If this is indeed your aim, then consider taking the route of reserving a vacation rental. Planting your flag on an area of land big enough to make you feel comfortable and away from the prying eyes of the rest of the world will affect your mood and your napping potential in the most positive of ways. Having a kitchenette and a washer and dryer within the walls of your snug, seaside cottage will keep you well-equipped for anything, including the overwhelming desire to hole up with your beloved and ignore everything else for a while.

You’ll probably end up emerging from your hideaway to have a pleasant meal or to see the sights of the island, but the inner glow of knowing that your one-of-a-kind property awaits you will give you an extra spring in your step as you traipse around St. John. If you’ve actually had the opposite experience before (dreading your return to a dingy room), so this is a refreshing change of pace.

Because St. John is pretty small, you’ll be conveniently located to everything on the island no matter where your vacation rental is located. Start the day with a cup of coffee on your open-air porch, and then head to the forest for a Jeep tour that will fill you in on the island’s history. Go back to your home away from home to change into your swimsuit and grab a quick snack, and then walk the few feet that separate you from an afternoon of lollygagging on the lovely lagoon.

You can spend cocktail hour back on the patio or else head towards the sound of civilization for a revitalizing local brew. Dinner is also up in the air; sample some Caribbean fare or else pick up a few things at the grocery store and then head back to your villa where the grill, lobster pot, and plethora of utensils will help you create a casual meal to be enjoyed at your own pace.

In case you haven’t noticed, a visit to St. John, especially a visit that entails renting a vacation home, will allow you to call the shots. Whether you end up with a vague schedule or none at all, the spirit of spontaneity will dominate and you’ll relish the chance to forget about the concepts of deadlines, wake up calls, and to-do lists.

Instead of running away from your natural inclinations and wishing you had done things differently, plan for your ideal vacation this time around. Don’t be ashamed of taking it easy, and give yourself plenty of time to do nothing at all. Your vacation rental will guard your privacy and further your sense of escape, so spend a little time researching your options in order to ensure a truly restful reprieve from everything that is currently bogging you down.

Go online and let the images and descriptions of dozens of St. John Vacation Rentals wash over you, and be sure to pick the one that understands the secret desires of your inner beach bum. It surely won’t be difficult.