Eastern Caribbean Cruise - from Miami - 120474

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.

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.

Sint Maarten with its capital Philipsburg is the smaller, Dutch part of the magical Caribbean island peacefully shared by the Netherlands and France since 1648. The Dutch part of the island is one of the most popular shopping and holiday destinations in the Caribbean. In Philipsburg alone there are more than 500 shops in the pastel-coloured Dutch style where tourists can buy luxury goods at up to 50% less than the standard retail price. The best place to experience real Caribbean atmosphere is at the Saturday market in the capital. Sights include: the zoo, the Philipsburg Museum, the fort at Great Bay Harbour, the casino and the beaches.

Basseterre is a port on the Antilles Island of Saint Kitts and is the capital of the islands of Saint Kitts and Nevis. The city has a population of 12,600, who live mainly from the textiles industry. The deep-water harbour was only recently completed. The city's architecture is greatly influenced by the British and French colonial periods, particularly around "Independence Square". The most important sights include "The Circus", "Independence Square" and St. George's Church. The crafts and trade house is also interesting. You should definitely take the time to explore the Brimstone Hill fort and the "Black Rock", which are not far from the capital. The Caribelle batik factory is also worth a look. The Great Ape Research Centre, the "Frigate-Bay-Development", the South-East peninsula and the Mount-Liamuiga crater are other interesting places for excursions.

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.

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.

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.

Port of Spain is the port and capital of Trinidad and the joint capital of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago. The city centre between the harbour and Queen's Park Savannah can easily be explored on foot. The ideal starting point for a tour of the city is Frederick Street, one of the main shopping streets, which starts at South Quay by the harbour. This is also where visitors can see Fort San Andres, built in 1785 to protect the harbour, which today houses several administrative bodies. The Cathedral of Immaculate Conception, the Jama Masija, a Friday mosque, the Anglican Church of the Holy Trinity and the National Museum are also all worth a visit. You can enjoy a wonderful view of Port of Spain from the green hills of the hinterland. A trip to the tropical landscape of the Northern Range is also extremely worthwhile.

Port of Spain is the port and capital of Trinidad and the joint capital of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago. The city centre between the harbour and Queen's Park Savannah can easily be explored on foot. The ideal starting point for a tour of the city is Frederick Street, one of the main shopping streets, which starts at South Quay by the harbour. This is also where visitors can see Fort San Andres, built in 1785 to protect the harbour, which today houses several administrative bodies. The Cathedral of Immaculate Conception, the Jama Masija, a Friday mosque, the Anglican Church of the Holy Trinity and the National Museum are also all worth a visit. You can enjoy a wonderful view of Port of Spain from the green hills of the hinterland. A trip to the tropical landscape of the Northern Range is also extremely worthwhile.

Macapa is the capital of Amapa and lies on the northern shore of the Amazon estuary on the equator. The port is a popular place for people to have their photograph taken in front of the zero-line, "Marco Zero". Macapa is home to around three quarters of the 289,000-strong population of Amapas. Sights include: "Fortaleza de São José", a fort dating from the 18th century and built by the Portuguese.

The Brazilian town of Santarem "at the centre of the Amazon" has been shaped mainly by the two rivers, the Amazon and the Tapajós. The town's inhabitants live from trade in fish, wood, Brazil nuts, beans and rubber. Santarem bears many reminders of the old colonial age, with the 'house of seven doors' built in the colonial style and owned by the Baron São Nicolau von Santare and the white church "Nossa Senhora da Conceição". On the banks of the rivers are popular beaches with fine, white sand; in the surrounding area of Santarem visitors can explore the flood plains and the dense jungle.

The small riverside village of Boca da Valeria with its typical houses built on stilts is the perfect place to get to know the "Cabolos", the "River People" and discover the Amazon. Explore the secrets of the rainforest, the largest forest on the planet, and also the largest reservoir of freshwater with its countless varieties of flora and fauna.

The capital of the Brazilian state Amazonas is in the north of the country by the banks of the Rio Negro and is surrounded by beautiful rainforest. Manaus was founded in the 17th century by the Portuguese military. Due to the industrial boom in the city at the end of the 19th century, ports, market places, monuments and impressive buildings were built on the island. The city is famous for its rubber and latex production and its nickname is the "Paris of the tropical rainforests". Sights include the "Teatro Amazonas" with its distinctive dome, which even today is the greatest symbol of this rich city.

The capital of the Brazilian state Amazonas is in the north of the country by the banks of the Rio Negro and is surrounded by beautiful rainforest. Manaus was founded in the 17th century by the Portuguese military. Due to the industrial boom in the city at the end of the 19th century, ports, market places, monuments and impressive buildings were built on the island. The city is famous for its rubber and latex production and its nickname is the "Paris of the tropical rainforests". Sights include the "Teatro Amazonas" with its distinctive dome, which even today is the greatest symbol of this rich city.