Panama Canal Cruise - from Miami - 124391

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.

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.

Colón is the capital of Colón province and the second-largest city in Panama. As a free-trade area, Colón is an important economic site. The cathedral and the statue-lined promenade, known as "Paseo Centenario", are well worth seeing.

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.

The Mexican harbour city Huatulco, around 50 km South of Puerto Angel, used to be nothing more than a small fishing village. Today, the town stretches more than 35 km over nine bays and a great many beaches; some of these bays can be reached only by boat. Huatulco stands at the foot of the "white mountain", "Monte Alban". Its peak was worn away more than 2,500 years ago; on the plateau that was left the Zapotecs built temples, palaces and pyramids that visitors can still visit today.

San Diego, the second-largest city in California lies at the very South of the state and is heavily influenced by Spanish, Mexican and American culture. The climate, which is warm and sunny all year round, is what makes this trendy palm-lined beach so popular. To make the most of the weather, there is a total of 112 km of beaches in the area surrounding San Diego. Mission Bay has plenty of opportunities to do some fishing, sailing, go out on a motor boat, surf or swim. In addition, San Diego is framed by a beautiful landscape with mountains and large fruit and vegetable plantations. Sights include: the old town, San Diego zoo, the exclusive suburb of La Jolla, the Maritime Museum, Balboa Park, the Museum of Art and the Science Centre.

Seattle is also called the "Emerald City". The largest city in the state of Washington lies on the shores of Lake Washington and the Puget Sound, a sea inlet similar to a fjord with countless islands and arms of water. From here you can enjoy a fabulous view of the Cascades and Mount Rainier. The 'Seattle Center' with the city's trademark, the famous 'Space Needle' was built for the World's Fair of 1962. The coffee city is also the home of the popular 'Starbucks' chain and in Seattle there is a branch on almost every street corner. Those in the know meet at Pike Place Market for a stroll and to buy freshly-caught fish. The waterfront with its countless souvenir shops and fish restaurants is perfect for a leisurely walk. Sights include: the Pacific Science Center, the Space Needle, the University of Washington, the Japanese Gardens, Woodland Park Zoo, Seattle Aquarium, Chinatown, the Monorail and Smith Tower.

The "Salmon Capital of the World" is one of the towns in south-east Alaska that already existed during Russian times. As in Sitka, this Russian influence is also apparent here in the form of folk dancers and a Russian Orthodox church. In Totem Bight State Park you can view totem poles elaborately carved by the Tlingit native Americans. Ketchikan is considered to be a Mecca for salmon fishers, who already settled here hundreds of years ago.

Juneau, situated between Mount Juneau and the Gastineau Channel, was founded during the Gold Rush. Due to the lack of major roads it has retained its cosy atmosphere. The capital of Alaska has many attractions, such as the old Victorian houses, the governor's palace, museums and much more.

The charming provincial capital of British Columbia is on Vancouver Island and has a very European feel to it with its narrow streets lined by stone buildings dating from the 19th century. Victorian architecture, red double-decker buses and nostalgic hackney cabs are a reminder of the colonial age of the British Empire. This is in sharp contrast to the many totem poles in the parks, which signify the amalgamation of the two cultures. Expansive parks with exotic and native plants are the perfect place to take a stroll. Sights include: Butchard Gardens, Government House, Beacon Hill Park, Craigdarroch Castle, Helmcken House, Royal British Columbia Museum.

Seattle is also called the "Emerald City". The largest city in the state of Washington lies on the shores of Lake Washington and the Puget Sound, a sea inlet similar to a fjord with countless islands and arms of water. From here you can enjoy a fabulous view of the Cascades and Mount Rainier. The 'Seattle Center' with the city's trademark, the famous 'Space Needle' was built for the World's Fair of 1962. The coffee city is also the home of the popular 'Starbucks' chain and in Seattle there is a branch on almost every street corner. Those in the know meet at Pike Place Market for a stroll and to buy freshly-caught fish. The waterfront with its countless souvenir shops and fish restaurants is perfect for a leisurely walk. Sights include: the Pacific Science Center, the Space Needle, the University of Washington, the Japanese Gardens, Woodland Park Zoo, Seattle Aquarium, Chinatown, the Monorail and Smith Tower.