Round-the-world Cruise - from Panama City - 119578

Manta is the most important town in the province of Manabí. The name originates from the Manta culture, which dates back to the year 500. The town has undergone a dynamic development in the fields of industry, trade and tourism. It produces primarily coffee, cocoa and tuna. Not far from the town is Montecristi, where nearly the entire population is involved in the production of Panama hats. Sights include: the museum, which exhibits mostly pre-Columbian art; the Indio market selling hand-made items.

The port of Guayaquil is the largest city in Ecuador. It is also the economic centre of the country and has the largest port. The historic landmark of the city is the "Rotonda", which overlooks the garden promenade "Paseo de las Colonias". There are other attractions very close by, such as the government building and the town hall. In the North of the city, visitors can view the old fortress "La Planchada". Other sights include: Santo Domingo church in the "Las Peñas" residential area, the "Museo Municipal", numerous beaches not far from the city.

The port of Guayaquil is the largest city in Ecuador. It is also the economic centre of the country and has the largest port. The historic landmark of the city is the "Rotonda", which overlooks the garden promenade "Paseo de las Colonias". There are other attractions very close by, such as the government building and the town hall. In the North of the city, visitors can view the old fortress "La Planchada". Other sights include: Santo Domingo church in the "Las Peñas" residential area, the "Museo Municipal", numerous beaches not far from the city.

Salaverry at the foot of the Andes has retained the charm of a colonial city with its old churches, colonial houses and balconies and backyards decorated with flowers. In front of the cathedral at the Plaza de Armas is a sculpture commemorating the liberation of Peru. There are many mansions that tourists can visit, such as the 'House of Emancipation', where Peru's independence from Spain was declared. From Salaverry visitors can take trips to the legendary Inca sites of Cuzco and Machu Picchu. There are many ruins dating from the time of the Incas, including the Coricancha, the second temple of the sun. Churches such as La Merced and the San Francisco Belén de los Reves monastery dating from the 17th century, as well as the Santa Clara and San Blas monasteries result in an impressive mixture of Spanish and native Indian architecture.

Callao is a suburb of Lima, the capital of Peru. Callao is the main transportation hub of South America, with one of the largest ports in this Southern Hemisphere. Lima is also the largest city in the country, in western Peru on the Pacific coast. Lima's old town, with its streets laid out like a chessboard, has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1991. The city is a mixture of Colonial-style buildings and modern architecture. The "Plaza de Armas" is the real highlight. This is where the cathedral, the presidential palace and many important churches, such as the Iglesia San Francisco, the Iglesia la Merced and the Iglesia Santo Domingo. At the corner of the Plaza is an equestrian monument honouring the Spanish conquistador Francisco Pizarro, who founded Lima in January 1535, in order to focus the reign over the conquered kingdom of the Incas here. The San Francisco monastery with its catacombs, which is close to the Plazuela San Francisco, is also worth seeing. A trip to the Plaza de Mayo, throbbing with hundreds of traders and the shopping street Calle Union are also well worth a visit. Other sights include: the Museo de la Nacion, the "Museo de Oro" and the Miraflores and Barranco districts.

The most northerly town in Chile is located by the sea and serves as the starting point for tours of the Andes uplands to Putre and the National Parks "Las Vicuñas" and "Lauca" and to the sites of ancient Incan settlements. In 1883, following the "Salpeter war" (1879-1883), the city was ceded by Bolivia to Chile, causing Bolivia to lose its access to the Pacific.

Hanga Roa is the capital of Easter Island. This is where most of the 2,000 residents, the majority of whom are Polynesian, live. The most important attraction is Rapa Nui National Park, which was founded in 1935. Today it encompasses almost all of the Easter Islands. In the centre of Hanga Roa there is a football pitch. The most important street is "Policarpo Toro" with its many restaurants and shops. The popular meeting place for the local residents is "Playa Pea", a natural swimming pool with a pebble beach sheltered by cliffs.

Hanga Roa is the capital of Easter Island. This is where most of the 2,000 residents, the majority of whom are Polynesian, live. The most important attraction is Rapa Nui National Park, which was founded in 1935. Today it encompasses almost all of the Easter Islands. In the centre of Hanga Roa there is a football pitch. The most important street is "Policarpo Toro" with its many restaurants and shops. The popular meeting place for the local residents is "Playa Pea", a natural swimming pool with a pebble beach sheltered by cliffs.

Moorea, the pineapple island, was formed from the remains of an extinct volcano. The island has excellent tourist facilities and a large range of hotels, restaurants and tourist attractions. Moorea can be explored in just a few hours - a bike tour is highly recommended. Several diving schools also offer interesting underwater tours.

Papeete is the capital of Tahiti. The island is a mixture of beautiful coves, white sandy beaches, tropical plants and French vanity.

Papeete is the capital of Tahiti. The island is a mixture of beautiful coves, white sandy beaches, tropical plants and French vanity.

The island of Huahine is one of the Society Islands and lies 175 km north-west of Tahiti. Huahine comprises two islands connected by a bridge, and surrounded by a coral reef. The island, which is volcanic in origin, is home to 5,000 people. The picturesque fishing village of Fare is the main town on the island. The airport is on the North Island. At the southern tip of the South Island there are breathtaking diving areas with a legendary variety of species of fish.

The volcanic island of Bora Bora is home to one of the most beautiful lagoons in the world, "the pearl of Polynesia". It is surrounded by several small islands. The region's airport is on one of these islands, the other has hotel resorts. There are also orchids growing in the wild, making this a wonderful area to take a long walk. Thanks to the lagoon, there is also a wide range of water sports on offer, such as sailing, glass-bottomed boat-trips, snorkelling, diving ... The main atttraction is the 100 metre-high mountain "Muto Toopua" with "Hiro's bell" - uniquely shaped basalt rocks that sound like a bell when struck.

Apia is both the largest town on the island of Upolu and the capital of Samoa. Despite its important function, this port has retained its small-town character. Most of Apia's attractions are located around the centre of the town at the harbour, including the clock-tower (the town's old landmark), the government building and the "Museum of Ancient and Recent Samoan History. Just five kilometres from the city centre is the 15 metre high natural water slide "Papaseea Sliding Rocks". The tiny village of Vailima is also well worth a visit. It is here that world-famous author Robert Louis Stevenson spent the last few years of his life. One of Stevenson's best- known novels is "Treasure Island".

Honiara is the capital of the Solomon Islands which are located in the South-West Pacific, to the East of Papua New Guinea. The islands are characterised by the almost moonscape-like mountain landscape. Honiara is on the island of Guadalcanal, which boasts the highest mountain in the island group - Makarakombu stands 2,447 m tall.

Bitung is an Indonesian port famous for its coconut and fish processing industry. The sprawling city is the starting point for trips inland. Ferries also sail from the harbour at Bitung to other destinations in the region, such as e.g. Ternate on the Northern Maluku island.

The metropolis of Manila, which has a population of around 1.7 million, is the capital of the Philippines and is considered to be a very important port. The city lies in Manila Bay, Luzon, and consists of 7 main areas. Manila has several universities, an international airport, many shopping centres, oil refineries and other industrial trades. Sights include numerous Baroque churches, which were granted World Heritage Site status in 1993, "China Town", a magical area of Manila, the Chinese cemetery, "Intramuris", the oldest part of the city with many churches and ancient buildings and "Mataki", an ultra-modern and luxurious shopping centre.