Eastern Caribbean Cruise - from San Juan - 123248

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.

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.

Roseau is the capital and the economic and cultural centre of the island of Dominica, in the Lesser Antilles. Directly by the harbour is 'Market House', which dates from 1810, and the lovingly restored 'Old Market', where tourists can buy souvenirs. The Anglican church is particularly worth seeing, as is 'State House', once the seat of the governor, and the new parliament building dating from 1811. The Methodist Church, the Botanic Gardens and the Roman Catholic cathedral are also worth a vist. The elevated plateau at Morne Bruce - once an excellent defence post -provides a fantastic view of the capital and the bay. But what the island of Dominica is most famous for is the extinct volcanoes, the huge tropical forests with hot springs, waterfalls and deep blue lakes.

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.