Itinerary

December 21 - Miami, Florida

December 22 - Cruising the Caribbean Sea

December 23 - Cruising the Caribbean Sea

December 24 - Tortola, British Virgin Islands

December 25 - Cruising the Caribbean Sea

December 26 - Barbados, West Indies

December 27 - St. Lucia, West Indies

December 28 - Guadeloupe, West Indies

December 29 - St. Maarten

December 30 - St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands

December 31 - Ponce, Puerto Rico

January 1 - Cruising the Caribbean Sea

January 2 - Cruising the Caribbean Sea

January 3 - Key West, Florida

January 4 - Miami, Florida

HIGHLIGHTS:

Miami - It has the largest city population in Florida, is the third most visited American city among international travelers and showcases an Art Deco Historic District encompassing one of the largest neighborhoods entered on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places. Miami certainly boasts its share of impressive characteristics, even before adding to the list its gorgeous beaches, spirited Cuban population and ritzy enclaves of Coral Gables and Coconut Grove. Admire the full glory of Miami Beach with a stroll along South Beach's famous Ocean Boulevard, where splendidly restored art deco buildings compete with fashion models and sun worshipers for attention. For a taste of Cuban cuisine and culture, visit Little Havana on the mainland (Miami Beach is separate both in its municipality and its geography: it sits on a barrier island four miles off the coast, and is reached by a causeway). Also outside mainland Miami are the acres of rare tropical plants nurtured to their fragrant and beautiful best in Fairchild Tropical Gardens.

Tortola - The British Virgin Islands were first settled by the Dutch in 1648 and later annexed by the English in 1672. Tortola, the capital, is the largest of the 50 British Virgin Islands. In Road Town, the seat of government, the Union Jack proudly flies above the residence of the British-appointed governor. As part of the turbulent history of this region, pirates and other European adventurers, famous seamen such as Blackbeard, Kidd and Francis Drake, plied the waters of this magical area. Although diminishing levels of fishing and native farming are still in evidence, tourism and offshore finance are the principal industries of the territory today.

Barbados - Barbados offers sun-drenched beaches, clear blue-green waters and cool trade winds. Inland are lovingly preserved plantation houses, lush sugar cane fields and fragrant gardens. This charming former British colony is one of the most stable independent Caribbean nations. Reminders of British rule abound, from cricket fields to Lord Nelson's statue and the original Trafalgar Square. Don't miss Bridgetown's bustling Careenage and the shops on Broad Street, which offer exceptional deals on luxury imports from Britain.

St. Lucia - Quaint bays, lush landscapes and delightful strains of the Creole language are part of the magic that emanates from St. Lucia. From a volatile settlement that endured numerous changes of ownership, this idyllic Windward Island has developed into a land rich with life and culture. Birthplace of Josephine, the Empress of France and wife of Napoleon, French heritage is evident throughout the island. However, now that it is an independent country within the British Commonwealth, St. Lucia also possesses an English charisma. Look for its charming buildings and vehicles, driven on the left-hand side of the road in true British style!

Guadeloupe - Guadeloupe, part of the Lesser Antilles, is about 200 miles north of its sister island of Martinique. Butterfly-shaped, Guadeloupe is actually two islands separated by a narrow seawater channel known as the Rivière Salée. To the east, in the Grand-Terre section, there are rolling hills, inviting beaches and flat expanses of sugar cane fields. To the west in Basse-Terre is a National Park, dense with rich vegetation and dominated by the dormant volcano, La Soufrière. French, Caribbean and African influences combine charmingly on this island. Although French is the official language, a charming Creole patois beckons your ear. Pointe-à-Pitre, the cultural capital, is reminiscent of a port on the French Riviera. Tall, modern architectural structures form a backdrop for the city's tree-shaded historic area centered around the Place de la Victoire, where there are many quaint wooden houses with open-air balconies that date back to the island's colonial days.

St. Maarten - With its colorful mix of French charm and Dutch hospitality, St. Maarten is like two islands rolled into one. In 1648, it was amicably divided between Dutch St. Maarten and French St. Martin until 2010. The island covers an area of 37 square miles, 17 of which are Dutch. Small as it is, St. Maarten has something for everyone - hideaway beaches, interesting cuisine and sophisticated boutiques.

St. Thomas: Glimmering bays, shining seas, powdery sand beaches, towering green hills and unsurpassed shopping - this is St. Thomas. The Danes originally declared St. Thomas a free port, making it the shopping paradise it remains today. You will delight in exquisite imported goods ranging from Danish silver to French porcelain and Swiss watches. While this mountainous island is one of the loveliest stretches of land in the Caribbean, its offerings are not limited to its idyllic tropical scenery. The former pirate haunts, Danish relics and picturesque old buildings are constant reminders of St. Thomas' exotic history, making this a fascinating place in which to sightsee.

Ponce, Puerto Rico: The second largest city in Puerto Rico, Ponce is known for its distinctive, colorful architecture. In the town square, amid beautiful neoclassical buildings and glorious fountains, sits the landmark Parque de Bombas, or Fire Station. Designed in a Moorish-style, the building sports eye-catching stripes of red and black, the colors of the flag of Ponce. Firefighters are an especially revered group in Ponce, due to heroic efforts in saving the city during the devastating fire of January 25th, 1899. For several years, the government built homes for firefighters on a special street, “The 25th of January Street,” where the houses are painted in the distinctive red and black colors of Ponce.

Key West: In the past, Key West was the winter home of Ernest Hemingway, John James Audubon and President Truman. Today it is a stylish retreat for writers and artists. Its atmosphere is reminiscent of the Caribbean, yet it is the southernmost town of the continental United States. Take a stroll along Duval Street, from the Atlantic Ocean to the Gulf of Mexico, or explore its interesting art galleries and boutiques.