Eastern Caribbean Cruise - from New York - 120262

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.

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.

Philadelphia, with a population in excess of one million and the largest city in Pennsylvania, has managed to retain the charm of a small town with the sights in the Independence National Historic Park dating from the 18th century. This large city in the East of the USA is considerably less hectic and arrogant than, say, New York or Boston. The cracked Liberty Bell, as well as the congress hall and the Old City Hall are particularly worth seeing. There is also a 'Germantown', originally founded by German immigrants. Branded products can be bought at low prices in more than 100 outlet stores on the outskirts of the city. Philadelphia is also well known as a city of art and museums. Sights include: the Please Touch Museum, the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts, Philadelphia Zoo, the oldest botanic gardens in the USA, Woodmere Art Museum, Glen Foerd Mansion built in 1850 by the river, and the former home of the author Edgar Allan Poe.

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.

Charleston is a port town in South Carolina with an important Atlantic harbour on Charleston Bay. The town has an old town that is truly unique in the USA, with original architecture dating back to the 18th and 19th centuries. The restored villas, formerly owned by the elite of plantation-owners and traders, are a reminder of Charleston's past as a port and meeting point for the trade in slaves and cotton. The Edmund Alston House, Victorian-style Calhoun Mansion, the ball room on Meeting Street, the Nathaniel Russell House, St. Michael's Episcopal Church and the Heyward Washington House are all worth a visit. The Dock Street Theatre, the French Huguenot Church and the US Custom House are not to be missed either. At the Market Hall, farmers sell fruit, vegetables and meat and even souvenir-hunters will find something they like here.

Charleston is a port town in South Carolina with an important Atlantic harbour on Charleston Bay. The town has an old town that is truly unique in the USA, with original architecture dating back to the 18th and 19th centuries. The restored villas, formerly owned by the elite of plantation-owners and traders, are a reminder of Charleston's past as a port and meeting point for the trade in slaves and cotton. The Edmund Alston House, Victorian-style Calhoun Mansion, the ball room on Meeting Street, the Nathaniel Russell House, St. Michael's Episcopal Church and the Heyward Washington House are all worth a visit. The Dock Street Theatre, the French Huguenot Church and the US Custom House are not to be missed either. At the Market Hall, farmers sell fruit, vegetables and meat and even souvenir-hunters will find something they like here.

With a population of 1.1 million, Jacksonville is the largest city in northern Florida and has the largest area of any city in Continental USA. It is just a few kilometres from the Atlantic on the shores of the St. John River in northern Florida. The beautiful port was named after the president, Andrew Jackson. Although it is not well known as a German tourist destination, the city has more to offer than just about any other city in the USA and is among the top-10 places to live in America. Sights include the Fort Caroline National Memorial, the Cummer Gallery of Art, the art museum and the zoo. The city is divided in two by St. Johns River - a beautiful if somewhat eccentric river that flows from South to North - creating some very picturesque vistas. Jacksonville Landing, a kind of market place and recreational centre direct by the river with boutiques and restaurants, as well as many other first rate attractions, help encourage visitors to the city.

Port Canaveral in Florida is the port at famous Cape Canaveral, founded in 1949 as a missile-firing installation and today the launch site for satellites and spaceships. Cape Canaveral is the site of the NASA Kennedy Space Centre, the Hall of Fame of the US astronauts, the Air Force Space Museum with more than 700 rockets, the historic launch complex 39 and the US Space Camp in Florida. All of the Apollos and Space Shuttles launched from here. Port Canaveral has developed from a small oil and shrimp harbour into one of the largest cruise ports in the world with more than 3 million passengers a year. The pier, which is 300 m long and stretches out into the open sea with many restaurants, bars and shops, is also worth a visit.

'The Bahamian island closest to the American mainland, Bimini Island, is much more than a popular holiday destination with white sandy beaches and sparkling blue ocean, from where you can see the Miami skyline at night. Bimini Island is also known for the many angling, diving and sailing competitions held here each summer.

Grand Bahama Island has more to offer than the free port of Lucays, casinos, resorts and tropical entertainment. Just outside the town there are beautiful white sandy beaches, one of the largest underwater cave systems in the world, three National Parks and breathtaking underwater scenery.

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.