Eastern Caribbean Cruise - from Miami - 130256

Miami is a city at the South-East coast of the US state of Florida. The "Coconut Grove" district was the heart of the settlement in 1884. Today, the city is dominated by elegant boutiques and pavement cafés. Often, free street concerts are held in the side streets - usually reggae or jazz music. The city has numerous high-rise buildings, hotel complexes, areas with palm trees, shopping centres, cultural and recreational facilities. Sights include: the Southeast Financial Center - the tallest building in Florida at 55 storeys high; Dade Country Courthouse; Metro Dade Cultural, a cultural centre that houses Miami Dade Main Library; the Centre for Fine Arts and the Historical Museum of Southern Florida.

Tortola, the "pigeon island", is the largest and most densely populated of the British Virgin Islands. At 543 m, Mount Sage is the highest point on the island and offers the best view of the coral reefs and many bays. Large areas of the forest are nature reserves. Not far from Road Town, the capital of the island, are the remains of the British fort, Fort George, which dates from the 18th century, and Harrigan's Hill still has the remnants of Fort Charlotte. Fort Recovery is assumed to have been established by the first Dutch settlers. The ruins of "The Dungeon", which can be seen by Pockwood Pond are also well worth a visit. Even today, you can see pictures scratched into the walls of the vaults.

Gustavia is the capital of St. Barth's, one of the Lesser Antilles Islands. The island belonged to Sweden for a spell during the 18th century and the town is named after the king at that time, Gustav III. Gustavia is characterised by its low stone and wooden houses. The many exclusive boutiques and tax-free luxury shops are the perfect place for a spot of shopping. In the evening, people congregate in the many restaurants and bars of the bustling town centre. Sights include: "Wall House", the historical museum of Saint Barth and the old bell tower. From Fort Gustave you can enjoy a fantastic view of the whole island.

'The capital of the French island of Martinique is known not only as a port, but also as the economic centre of the island. Narrow, bustling strees and colourful markets give the city its character. Sights include: the library, "Savannah Gardens", the war memorial, the Empress Josephine memorial, and Saint-Louis cathedral.

Kingstown is the capital and port of the Caribbean state of St. Vincent. The busy port is the trading centre of the islands. The weekly market on Saturday mornings is where everyone meets. St. Mary's Cathedral in the town centre boasts a combination of various European architectural styles. The ruins of Fort Charlotte on a 180 m high slope in the North of the city from where you can enjoy a marvellous view are well worth a visit. The oldest Botanic Gardens in the western hemisphere are situated just to the North of Kingstown. Various rare tropical trees and plants flourish on the 8-hectare garden area. The collection of ancient stone monuments is also very interesting. Slightly North of Kingstown, at St. Vincent Parrot Reserve, visitors can marvel at the St. Vincent parrots, which are under threat of extinction.

Bridgetown is the capital of Barbados. This city, with a population of 6,700 lies at the South coast of the country. Tourists will find a huge range of shopping options and an exciting nightlife at the ultra-modern port facility of this idyllic little town. Bridgetown has a historic synagogue, built by Brazilian Jews in 1627, shortly after the founding of the British colony. A variety of water sports are on offer at the beaches at Dover, Rockley and Needhams Point.

St. George's is the capital of Grenada, which is one of the prettiest ports in the Caribbean with its narrow, steep streets running between the houses and churches. The horseshoe-shaped harbour basin of the Carenage in the town centre is encircled by Wharf Road. Along the quay promenade there are old warehouses from the French and British colonial era, some of which have been restored and converted into restaurants, shops or offices. On the elevated area around St. George are the remains of old fortifications, such as Fort George, behind which rises the silhouette of the forested mountainsides.

Willemstad is the capital of Curaçao, the largest of the ABC Islands and a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site since 1997. The city is divided in two by the entranceway to the port and the famous Emma Bridge connects the two parts. The floating market with sailors and schooners from South America who sell fish, fruit and even monkeys direct from their ships is a must-see. Other sights include Fort Amsterdam, built in the 17th century, the Curaçao Museum with its old furniture and the oldest synagogue in the western world, Mikve Israel Emmanuel Synagogue, which dates from 1732. The houses in the old town, built in the Dutch colonial style, are also well worth a look. The vibrant port town is the perfect place to take a stroll and do some shopping, since it has many shops and shopping arcades

Kralendijk is on Bonaire, one of the ABC Islands. It is a charming little island capital with a small harbour and a number of lovely old colonial houses dating from the 18th and 19th century. Fort Oranje, a Carribbean fort from the 19th century, the governor's palace - today the seat of the island parliament, the old port authority and the small fish market are all well worth a visit. Karel's Beach Bar is where people meet to watch the sun set in Kralendijk. The main shopping street is Kaya Grandi, where you can find anything you might need in the gift shops, boutiques and the large supermarket towards the city centre. Restaurants and bars are located mainly by the coast road with a view of the harbour.

Puerto Plata is one of the oldest cities in the Dominican Republic, founded in 1496 by Columbus' brother, Bartolomeo. In the 19th century the city experienced an economic boom on account of the harbour. The old town centre, featuring mainly wooden houses built in that Victorian gingerbread-house style, is well worth a visit. In the small streets around the Parque Central with a nostalgic glorieta pavillion there are lots of little shops, restaurants and cafés. The sights include San Felipe fort, built in the 16th century as protection against the many pirate attacks. Just next to it is the harbour, where stranded ships are a reminder of the hurricanes that have ravaged the coast.

Miami is a city at the South-East coast of the US state of Florida. The "Coconut Grove" district was the heart of the settlement in 1884. Today, the city is dominated by elegant boutiques and pavement cafés. Often, free street concerts are held in the side streets - usually reggae or jazz music. The city has numerous high-rise buildings, hotel complexes, areas with palm trees, shopping centres, cultural and recreational facilities. Sights include: the Southeast Financial Center - the tallest building in Florida at 55 storeys high; Dade Country Courthouse; Metro Dade Cultural, a cultural centre that houses Miami Dade Main Library; the Centre for Fine Arts and the Historical Museum of Southern Florida.