Transatlantic Cruise - from Fuerte Amador - Panamá - 124144

The San Blas islands are on the Caribbean side of Panama. The island group comprises 365 islands, only a few of which are inhabited. The islands lie in an autonomous region and have been ruled by the Kuna native Indians since 1938. There are no mosquitos, perhaps one of the reasons the native Indians chose to settle here. They go out to fish for crustaceans in special wooden boats, called "Cayucos". Unlike the other tribes of the Caribbean, the Kuna are dressed top-to-toe at all times, usually in colourful traditional costumes. For tourists, the San Blas Islands represent a beautiful, untouched diving area that people are reluctant to leave on account of its sandy beaches in sheltered coves and its warm, turquoise-blue waters.

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.

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 peninsula of Samaná, which joined with the mainland over the course of hundreds of years, is one of the most beautiful regions in the Dominican Republic with its its picture-postcard palm-lined beaches and the finest sand. Rustling forests of coconut trees, crooked hills, lonely coves with glowing white sand, secluded waterfalls, tiny villages and the peaceful capital of Santa Barbara de Samaná are what makes the peninsula so enchanting. Small islands, the Cayos, seem to simply float in the blue waters before the coast. The most famous of these is Cayo Levantado, with the idyllic sandy beach on which the "Bacardi" ad was filmed. Another attraction are the hump-backed whales, which come to the bay of Samaná every winter to breed and raise their young.

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.

New York - the huge, vibrant city by the Hudson River and the unofficial capital of the world - is without a doubt one of the most fascinating cities in the USA. Around 12 million residents from all over the world call New York home. The city is divided into five districts, Manhattan being the heart of the city and the most famous district. Probably just about anyone coming to New York thinks first of Wall Street, Broadway, the Empire State Building, Fifth Avenue and the many museums, Central Park and the Statue of Liberty. All of this can be found in New York City, indeed in the "small" district of Manhattan. "The Big Apple", as the city is also known, is a melting pot of cultures and nationalities, from rich to poor - the ultimate city of contrasts. The subject of many songs, and yet more literature, New York is in a constant state of flux. It is a centre for the economy, the arts and architecture that each of the 25 million visitors annually will experience differently, but which captures the imagination of every single one of them.

New York - the huge, vibrant city by the Hudson River and the unofficial capital of the world - is without a doubt one of the most fascinating cities in the USA. Around 12 million residents from all over the world call New York home. The city is divided into five districts, Manhattan being the heart of the city and the most famous district. Probably just about anyone coming to New York thinks first of Wall Street, Broadway, the Empire State Building, Fifth Avenue and the many museums, Central Park and the Statue of Liberty. All of this can be found in New York City, indeed in the "small" district of Manhattan. "The Big Apple", as the city is also known, is a melting pot of cultures and nationalities, from rich to poor - the ultimate city of contrasts. The subject of many songs, and yet more literature, New York is in a constant state of flux. It is a centre for the economy, the arts and architecture that each of the 25 million visitors annually will experience differently, but which captures the imagination of every single one of them.

One of the largest holiday resorts on Rhode Island is Newport, which is considered to be the sailing capital of the East Coast. Newport is a very pretty and historic American town. Designed in the early colonial era (founded in 1639), the narrow streets and colonial houses bear witness to its rich architectural history. There are still lots of beautiful wooden houses dating from the 17th and 18th century. The town is also famous for its excellent beaches, yacht regattas, music and art festivals. Tourists can visit many of the impressive manor houses, some of which were based on European castles (e.g. those once owned by Vanderbilt and Astor).

Boston, capital of Massachusetts and the gateway to New England, is laden with history but at the same time vibrant and bursting with energy. Indeed, Boston - with a population of just over half a million - is one of the most interesting cities in America in terms of both history and culture - as well as one of the most beautiful. Unlike most major cities, it still has countless historical buildings and areas, and is among the architectural must-sees of America. Historic buildings, picturesque cobbled streets and relaxing parks meet with modern high-rise buildings, giving a surprisingly harmonious overall effect. A section of the Berlin Wall can be viewed at the harbour, from where you can also set off on a whale-watching trip.

Halifax is not only the capital of the Canadian province of Nova Scotia but also has one of the largest ports in the world. The city not far from Montreal is known for its many galleries and museums; it also hosts a great many cultural and musical events. Behind the harbour lies the picturesque coastal landscape. There are several historic buildings that house small shops, restaurants and the Museum of Natural History, which has an exhibition about the Titanic. Other sights include: "Citadel Hill", the parliament, "Spring Garden Road Region", the public gardens and Point Pleasant Park.

With a population of around 140,000 St. John's is the largest city in Newfoundland and also the oldest city in North America. Since large areas of the craggy island are uninhabitable, the majority of the population lives in the city and in small coastal suburbs. Colorful wooden houses and rustic pubs, particularly in legendary George Street, are St. John's trademark. In the middle of the city is Signal Hill, where the first wireless message from Europe was received in 1901. In the spring visitors are highly likely to be able to see massive icebergs drifting past; in the summer, whales frolic in the bay. It was not far from here that the Titanic sank. Sights include: Newfoundland Museum, the Colonial Building, Arts and Culture Centre, Signal Hill National Historic Site.

Plymouth, one of the largest sea ports in Great Britain, is of special historical importance: it was here that the Spanish Armada was defeated and England began its rise to become a world power. Great names of English seafaring history are associated with Plymouth, including Sir Fracis Drake and the Mayflower. The picturesque harbour of Plymouth is not the only attraction in this town. 'The Hoe', a park with many monuments, provides an excellent view. At the southern tip of Hoe, the Plymouth Dome provides information about the town's past and present in the form of a multimedia presentation. The climb to Smeaton lighthouse is worth it for the wonderful view of the surrounding area. The Royal Citadel today houses the aquarium of the Marine Biology Association and it is well worth taking a walk from here to the old town of Plymouth. Sights include: artificial snow ski-centre; Tamar Valley Railway Line; Mount Edgcumbe Country Park; Dartington crystal glass factor; the historic part of the town with The Barbican with 16th century style Elizsabethan house and the City Museum.

Bremerhaven, an administrative district in its own right in the federal state of Bremen, lies to the North of Bremen, on the lower Weser. Founded in 1827, the first regular connection between America and Europe set out from Bremerhaven in 1847. In 1938, Bremerhaven was amalgamated with the town of Wesermünde. In 1947, Wesermünde was re-named Bremerhaven, forming the federal state of Bremen. Sights include: the Atlanticum, the German Shipping Museum, the Historical Museum, the Kunsthalle Bremerhaven, the harbour museum, the museum ships the "Wal", the "Gera" and "Goliath", the fishing harbour, the "Wilhelm Bauer" submarine and the zoo.