Caribbean Cruise - from New York - 130956

New York - the huge, vibrant city by the Hudson River and the unofficial capital of the world - is without a doubt one of the most fascinating cities in the USA. Around 12 million residents from all over the world call New York home. The city is divided into five districts, Manhattan being the heart of the city and the most famous district. Probably just about anyone coming to New York thinks first of Wall Street, Broadway, the Empire State Building, Fifth Avenue and the many museums, Central Park and the Statue of Liberty. All of this can be found in New York City, indeed in the "small" district of Manhattan. "The Big Apple", as the city is also known, is a melting pot of cultures and nationalities, from rich to poor - the ultimate city of contrasts. The subject of many songs, and yet more literature, New York is in a constant state of flux. It is a centre for the economy, the arts and architecture that each of the 25 million visitors annually will experience differently, but which captures the imagination of every single one of them.

Nassau, the capital of the Bahamas, is on the island of New Providence and together with the holiday resorts of Cable Beach and Paradise Islands is an internationally renowned tourist centre. The pink parliament buildings are typical of Nassau and combined with the pastel-coloured houses give the city its colonial charm. Busy Bay Street holds a plethora of luxurious goods for those looking to do some shopping, while traditional goods can be found at Straw Market.

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.

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.

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

Oranjestad is the capital of Aruba, the smallest of the ABC-Islands and is closest to Venezuela. Oranjestad is a lively little town with many shopping arcades and restaurants. The new houses are a rather bold and colourful echo of the old colonial style, making it seem at times like one has landed in a Caribbean version of Disneyland. This is also where visitors can find the lovely schooner harbour, where there is a daily market. Zoutman Fort, the oldest building on the island, houses the Historical Museum. Every Tuesday a mini music festival is held in the courtyard, providing an insight into island culture. The Archaeological Museum, the Geological Museum and the Numismatics Museum are also worth a visit. Oranjestad is famous for its excellent shopping facilities and the shopping street of Caya Betico Croes offers the greatest choice. In terms of tourism, Aruba is the most developed of the islands. The shops entice passengers with duty free luxury articles; or visitors can choose to spend a day at the beach or get carried away by the nightlife in one of the island's many casinos. To the North-West of Oranjestad is where the main beach, measuring 12 kilometres in length, begins. It is a lovely sandy beach lined by palm trees and hotels ranging from up-market to pure luxury high-end. Anyone spending any length of time on Aruba should definitely take a trip inland to see the huge monoliths and the ancient rock paintings of the indigenous peoples in the caves at Fontain and Canashito and at the cliffs of Arikok and Ayo.

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.