Eastern Caribbean Cruise - from New York - 122841

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.

Hamilton is the capital of the Bermudas and lies at the eastern end of the Great Sound in the Atlantic Ocean. The town was founded in 1790 and made capital of the Bermudas in 1815. The "sugar-frosted architecture" of the houses and buildings with their whitewashed roofs and pastel-coloured fronts dating from the 18th and 19th centuries is truly unique. Local attractions include "Sessions House", the cathedral, the defences at Fort Hamilton and the port, which was designated a free port in 1956 and is the largest in the Bermudas.

Hamilton is the capital of the Bermudas and lies at the eastern end of the Great Sound in the Atlantic Ocean. The town was founded in 1790 and made capital of the Bermudas in 1815. The "sugar-frosted architecture" of the houses and buildings with their whitewashed roofs and pastel-coloured fronts dating from the 18th and 19th centuries is truly unique. Local attractions include "Sessions House", the cathedral, the defences at Fort Hamilton and the port, which was designated a free port in 1956 and is the largest in the Bermudas.

Hamilton is the capital of the Bermudas and lies at the eastern end of the Great Sound in the Atlantic Ocean. The town was founded in 1790 and made capital of the Bermudas in 1815. The "sugar-frosted architecture" of the houses and buildings with their whitewashed roofs and pastel-coloured fronts dating from the 18th and 19th centuries is truly unique. Local attractions include "Sessions House", the cathedral, the defences at Fort Hamilton and the port, which was designated a free port in 1956 and is the largest in the Bermudas.

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.

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.

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.

Charlotte Amalie is the capital of the American Virgin Islands on Saint Thomas. It has a reputation as being a bustling city with numerous duty-free shops. Fort Christian, one of the oldest buildings on the island, the Frederic Lutheran Church, Government House, Blackbeard's Castle and Market Square are all well worth seeing. In the past, this was where the slave auctions were held; today, fruit and vegetables are sold here.

Over 13 km long and with a population of 2,500, Virgin Gorda is the third-largest of the British Virgin Islands and a popular destination for yachtsmen and nature lovers. Virgin Gorda's greatest attraction (apart from the picturesque island capital of Spanish Town, which has an almost West-Indian feel to it) are the spectacular rock formations the "Natural Baths" - huge blocks of granite that surround the sandy bays in the South-West of the island and which are transformed into natural pools at low tide.

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.

St. George's is the capital of Grenada, which is one of the prettiest ports in the Caribbean with its narrow, steep streets running between the houses and churches. The horseshoe-shaped harbour basin of the Carenage in the town centre is encircled by Wharf Road. Along the quay promenade there are old warehouses from the French and British colonial era, some of which have been restored and converted into restaurants, shops or offices. On the elevated area around St. George are the remains of old fortifications, such as Fort George, behind which rises the silhouette of the forested mountainsides.

Scarborough is the capital of the island of Tobago. On a raised plateau overlooking the town is the King George fort with a museum and a lovely view. There is a market in the town centre until mid-day. Buccoo reef is a paradise for snorkellers and divers. A fun attraction for tourists is to take part in the bird feeding at Arno Valew Hotel, where you can watch tropical birds up close while enjoying a cup of tea or a cool glass of juice.

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.