Eastern Caribbean Cruise - from La Romana - 127492

La Romana is located on the south coast of the province of the same name. With a population of about 200,000 it is one of the largest cities in the Caribbean. Originally, however, La Romana was a small village, which only gradually developed through industry, including a sugar refinery, to a large workers' settlement and later, after the construction of the port and the international airport, to a tourist center. Worth seeing, besides the breathtaking scenery of the typical Caribbean beaches, are the replica of a medieval European village (Altos de Chavón) and the Casa de Campo, a luxury resort with world-renowned golf courses.

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.

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.

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.

La Romana is located on the south coast of the province of the same name. With a population of about 200,000 it is one of the largest cities in the Caribbean. Originally, however, La Romana was a small village, which only gradually developed through industry, including a sugar refinery, to a large workers' settlement and later, after the construction of the port and the international airport, to a tourist center. Worth seeing, besides the breathtaking scenery of the typical Caribbean beaches, are the replica of a medieval European village (Altos de Chavón) and the Casa de Campo, a luxury resort with world-renowned golf courses.

The private Domini can island of Catalina belongs to the luxury hotel "Casa de Campo", which hires the island out to Celebrity Cruises and Costa Cruises. This means that only guests of these shipping companies can visit Catalina Island. The only accessible part of the island is a long sandy beach with palm trees; the rest of the island is covered in lush vegetation. Guests can choose from a range of water sports.

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.

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.

La Romana is located on the south coast of the province of the same name. With a population of about 200,000 it is one of the largest cities in the Caribbean. Originally, however, La Romana was a small village, which only gradually developed through industry, including a sugar refinery, to a large workers' settlement and later, after the construction of the port and the international airport, to a tourist center. Worth seeing, besides the breathtaking scenery of the typical Caribbean beaches, are the replica of a medieval European village (Altos de Chavón) and the Casa de Campo, a luxury resort with world-renowned golf courses.