Eastern Caribbean Cruise - from San Juan - 104884

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 US Virgin Isles, of which there are approximately 50, lie surrounded by glittering turquoise ocean, are covered in lush tropical plants and situated around 60 km to the East of Puerto Rico. They form the first link in the chain of Leeward Islands. The majority of St. John is covered with dense rainforest and it has beautiful sandy beaches. St. Thomas, one of the three main islands, which has an excellent deep-sea port, is long, narrow and peaks in a mountain ridge. St. Croix, the largest island in the group, has a hilly landscape that used to be covered with plantations.

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.

St. John's is the capital and the only deep-sea port in the mini-state of Antigua and Barbuda in the North-East Caribbean. Clear water and hundreds of beaches with fine sands surround the town. Since visitors can shop duty-free on the island, there are a large number of fashion boutiques, electronics shops and jewellers not far from the harbour at Heritage Quay. Traditional hand-crafted items, straw dolls, masks and exotic colourful fashion is on sale in what was once the slave district. The building that once housed the British colonial court is now home to the Museum of Antigua and Barbuda with artefacts from the colonial era and the time of the slave trade. On a hill overlooking the town sits St. John's Cathedral with its two large Georgian bell towers. The plantations in the surrounding area grow mainly sugar-cane.

Bequia (pronounced Bekwe) in the South of the Grenadine Island of St. Vincent is the largest island in the group at 18 km². The friendly town with a population of 5,000 lives by the traditions of ship-building and fishing. Bequia was once home to whalers. Its residents still have the reputation of being the best shipbuilders in the world. Sights include: the old whaling station and the turtle farm, the oldest botanic garden in the Western world and the fish market.

Soufrière is the second-largest town on the island of St. Lucia. The deep-sea port is located on the foothills of two extinct volcanoes, the Pitons, which are St. Lucia's most famous sights. Soufrière is a collection of colourful houses with arcades at the edge of the rainforest before which little fishing boats lie at the beach. On Saturdays the weekly market is held on the beach promenade. There are lots of small shops on the main street and at the church square. A restored colonial house and a parish church made of huge, dark grey bricks with an open wooden roof truss are worth a visit. The road from Soufrière to Fond St. Jacques runs through dense rainforest to the East and leads to the spectacular diamond waterfalls, the Botanic Gardens, sulphur springs and the "Drive-in Volcano", which can be viewed from the inside.

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.

'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.

Road Town is the main town and the administrative seat of the island of Tortola, one of the British Virgin Isles. The town was rebuilt after being destroyed by a hurricane in 1924. Today it is a colourful little place. There are small Victorian houses along the main street with unique little shops, including "Pusser's Company Store", which still supplies rum to the British navy to the present day. The Folk Museum is also well worth a look. There is an abundance of tropical plants in the botanic garden, as well as waterfalls and outdoor enclosures for birds. Nearby the town, on Fort Hill are the remnants of Fort George and Fort Charlotte. The beautiful forested island of Tortola with its coral reefs is perfect for diving, snorkelling and swimming.

Fort Lauderdale was originally created as a military base and has more than 270 waterways that meet at the city's yacht marina, the second-largest in the USA. This is why this port is also known as the "American Venice". Las Olas Boulevard is the centre of the city and has many shops, up-market boutiques, art galleries and restaurants. The biggest attraction in Fort Lauderdale is the white sandy beach, which stretches for many kilometres. Other sights include Stranahan House - the oldest historic building in the city, the Museum of Discovery and Science, the Riverfront Complex and the house by the river that Al Capone once called home.