Eastern Caribbean Cruise - from Baltimore - 126122

With approximately 800,000 inhabitants, Baltimore is the largest town in the state of Maryland and one of the most important seaports in the United States. It is also an important industrial and trading centre whose economy is based largely on research and development (in particular pharmaceuticals, medical supplies and medical services). You can also find the house and grave of the writer Edgar Allan Poe in Baltimore. As regards the parts most often frequented by tourists, the port's image has changed considerably over the last few years. Many areas have been renovated and new buildings have been constructed, giving Baltimore a very positive appearance. The Inner Harbor, located on an extension of 320 kilometre long Chesapeake Bay, has become a centre for tourism. The Fregatte Constellation, the U.S. Navy's first ever ship, dating back to 1797 and the oldest boat at sea in the world, is anchored at pier 1 of the Inner Harbor. Of the many museums, the "Baltimore Museum of Art" (with a large number of post-impressionist works), Walters Art Gallery and the City Life Museum, a housing block with buildings representing the city as it was in the 19th century, are particularly worth seeing. Mount Vernon Place has houses and squares from the 19th century, as well as many cultural institutes. This is also where the Washington Monument stands, from where you can enjoy an excellent panorama view of Baltimore and the surrounding area. In the Summer, the Fort McHenry National Monument is the venue for special military parades and ceremonies. The Water Taxis, which connect all of the sights in the harbour area by boat are another of Baltimore's unique features.

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.

San Juan, the capital of the Greater Antilles island of Puerto Rico, is known as the 'oldest American city'. It was from here that the expeditions set out to explore the New World. The historic old town with the university, the fort 'La Fortaleza', the gothic cathedral and the historic buildings dating from the Spanish colonial era are all well worth a visit. Since 1983, San Juan has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site. 'New' San Juan boasts luxurious resorts, hotels, casinos and exclusive discos, while nature lovers can explore the nearby rainforest with its mountain lakes and waterfalls.

The peninsula of Samaná, which joined with the mainland over the course of hundreds of years, is one of the most beautiful regions in the Dominican Republic with its its picture-postcard palm-lined beaches and the finest sand. Rustling forests of coconut trees, crooked hills, lonely coves with glowing white sand, secluded waterfalls, tiny villages and the peaceful capital of Santa Barbara de Samaná are what makes the peninsula so enchanting. Small islands, the Cayos, seem to simply float in the blue waters before the coast. The most famous of these is Cayo Levantado, with the idyllic sandy beach on which the "Bacardi" ad was filmed. Another attraction are the hump-backed whales, which come to the bay of Samaná every winter to breed and raise their young.

You can do any watersport you can think of here. The island is located on the sheltered side of a coral reef at the centre of a sub-tropical paradise, both on land and under water. The reef along the coast is an insider's tip both for divers and visitors seeking to relax and unwind, who will love the perfect white sandy beaches.

With approximately 800,000 inhabitants, Baltimore is the largest town in the state of Maryland and one of the most important seaports in the United States. It is also an important industrial and trading centre whose economy is based largely on research and development (in particular pharmaceuticals, medical supplies and medical services). You can also find the house and grave of the writer Edgar Allan Poe in Baltimore. As regards the parts most often frequented by tourists, the port's image has changed considerably over the last few years. Many areas have been renovated and new buildings have been constructed, giving Baltimore a very positive appearance. The Inner Harbor, located on an extension of 320 kilometre long Chesapeake Bay, has become a centre for tourism. The Fregatte Constellation, the U.S. Navy's first ever ship, dating back to 1797 and the oldest boat at sea in the world, is anchored at pier 1 of the Inner Harbor. Of the many museums, the "Baltimore Museum of Art" (with a large number of post-impressionist works), Walters Art Gallery and the City Life Museum, a housing block with buildings representing the city as it was in the 19th century, are particularly worth seeing. Mount Vernon Place has houses and squares from the 19th century, as well as many cultural institutes. This is also where the Washington Monument stands, from where you can enjoy an excellent panorama view of Baltimore and the surrounding area. In the Summer, the Fort McHenry National Monument is the venue for special military parades and ceremonies. The Water Taxis, which connect all of the sights in the harbour area by boat are another of Baltimore's unique features.