Panama Canal Cruise - from Panama City - 116155

In the middle of Central America lies the tropical region of the Panama Canal with its lush vegetation and rainforests. The Panama Canal is a technical masterpiece and one of the most important waterways in the world. It takes just a day to travel along the canal, but visitors are sure to remember the trip for many a long year.

Cartagena was founded in 1533 by Pedro de Heredias, a Spaniard and companion of Columbus, as a naval port. The historic old town and the harbour are listed and have been a World Heritage Site since 1984. Due to the flourishing trade in gold from Peru, silver from Bolivia and emeralds from Muzo, the city developed quickly and magnificently. Today, mainly oil coffee and platinum are exported and the city has been able to make a name for itself as one of the most beautiful colonial cities of South America. Sights include: the Gold Museum, the cathedral dating from the 16th/17th century and the San Felipe de Barajas fort with its amazing system of tunnels.

Santa Marta, founded in 1525 making it the oldest city in Columbia, lies by the highest coastal mountain range in the world, at the foot of the Sierra Nevada. The snow-covered peaks of Pico Colon and Pico Bolivar are 5,775 m above sea level and just 45 km from the tropical beaches of the National Park Tayrona. Thus, the city is the ideal starting point for mountain trecks, trips to the beach and to archaeological sites such as Pueblito and Ciudad Perdida. Santa Marta is where the most famous South American ever, Simon Bolivar, died. His dream of a united Spanish-speaking nation was never realised.

Oranjestad is the capital of Aruba, the smallest of the ABC-Islands and is closest to Venezuela. Oranjestad is a lively little town with many shopping arcades and restaurants. The new houses are a rather bold and colourful echo of the old colonial style, making it seem at times like one has landed in a Caribbean version of Disneyland. This is also where visitors can find the lovely schooner harbour, where there is a daily market. Zoutman Fort, the oldest building on the island, houses the Historical Museum. Every Tuesday a mini music festival is held in the courtyard, providing an insight into island culture. The Archaeological Museum, the Geological Museum and the Numismatics Museum are also worth a visit. Oranjestad is famous for its excellent shopping facilities and the shopping street of Caya Betico Croes offers the greatest choice. In terms of tourism, Aruba is the most developed of the islands. The shops entice passengers with duty free luxury articles; or visitors can choose to spend a day at the beach or get carried away by the nightlife in one of the island's many casinos. To the North-West of Oranjestad is where the main beach, measuring 12 kilometres in length, begins. It is a lovely sandy beach lined by palm trees and hotels ranging from up-market to pure luxury high-end. Anyone spending any length of time on Aruba should definitely take a trip inland to see the huge monoliths and the ancient rock paintings of the indigenous peoples in the caves at Fontain and Canashito and at the cliffs of Arikok and Ayo.

Willemstad is the capital of Curaçao, the largest of the ABC Islands and a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site since 1997. The city is divided in two by the entranceway to the port and the famous Emma Bridge connects the two parts. The floating market with sailors and schooners from South America who sell fish, fruit and even monkeys direct from their ships is a must-see. Other sights include Fort Amsterdam, built in the 17th century, the Curaçao Museum with its old furniture and the oldest synagogue in the western world, Mikve Israel Emmanuel Synagogue, which dates from 1732. The houses in the old town, built in the Dutch colonial style, are also well worth a look. The vibrant port town is the perfect place to take a stroll and do some shopping, since it has many shops and shopping arcades

The cosy harbour of Port Antonio in the North-East of Jamaica lies in one of the most beautiful bays in the entire Caribbean and is surrounded by mountains. Mitchell’s Folly, a two-storey villa built in 1905 by American millionaire Dan Mitchell is well worth a look, as are the ruins of the derelict manor house with 60 rooms. Due to the wealth of fish, San Antonio holds a fishing competition every Autumn. Visitors can ride a raft down the Rio Grande, which is very popular pastime among tourists. The most beautiful beaches nearby Port Antonio include San San and Boston. One of the most beautiful coves in the Caribbean, the Blue Lagoon, a crystal-clear cove with a freshwater spring, is just 8 km from the town. Sights include: Folly Point lighthouse, Christ Church, Navy Island with its tropical park, Musgrave Market, the clock tower, and the courthouse.

Great Stirrup Cay is the northernmost island in the Berry Islands chain in the Bahamas. This uninhabited tropical island paradise offers wide, white sandy beaches, majestic coconut palms and colourful coral reefs. As Norwegian Cruise Line's private island, it offers numerous exclusive amenities for the cruise line's guests. For example, snorkelling in the fresh sea water or an exciting zipline ride are just some of the varied leisure activities on offer at Great Stirrup Cay.

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.