Zaandam - October 7, 2023

Ft. Lauderdale has 23 miles of beaches, 300 miles of inland waterways and swimming pools galore, but immersing yourself in this city doesn't require a drop of water. Dive into a culture as deep as any ocean, a culture characterized by Seminoles and Broadway shows, golf and whimsical water taxis, fine cuisine and tasty jazz. And just like the horizon here, the list of attractions goes on and on.

George Town is the capital of the Cayman Islands, and is situated directly on Grand Cayman. Once a center of turtle fishing, the area is now a popular tourist destination. Snorkeling and diving are especially popular, and the opportunity to swim with and feed the giant, graceful stingrays should not be missed. Don't worry--it is said that no one has ever been stung.

The second-largest city in Costa Rica, Puerto Limon will leave you with a lifetime of memories. Soak in the distinct Caribbean flavor of the city's world-famous Carnivale de Limon. See the wonder of the sea turtle nesting grounds in Tortugero. Delight in the dolphins at Manzanillo National Park. Or, if ultimate relaxation is your goal, sprawl luxuriously on any of the area's lavish sand beaches.

Spend an unforgettable day cruising the Panama Canal, a fifty-one-mile waterway through the rainforest that is one of the world's engineering masterpieces. The ship glides down the canal with inches to spare, through locks that raise and lower it like a toy. Along the way it crosses enormous Gatun Lake, and the amazing Gaillard Cut, blasted out of a solid mountainside.

Manta is the third largest city in Ecuador. The port city boasts some wonderful beaches. The Malecon Escencio is a strip of restaurants and shops right on the water, and attracts many locals and visitors. The local seafood is said to be quite good--and cheap, too. The legendary Panama Hats, locals say, are not actually from Panama, but from Montecristi, a village just 10 minutes away from Manta.

Guayaquil, Ecuador's main Pacific port, was founded in 1535. Guayaquil is Ecuador's largest city and a major manufacturing center. Guayaquil features a hot climate, diverse ethnic mixture, and beautiful white sand beaches. See the last traces of the city's colonial style in Las Pe'as, where two cannons guard the neighborhood's entrance. Las Pe'as is also home to Guayaquil's oldest church.

Guayaquil, Ecuador's main Pacific port, was founded in 1535. Guayaquil is Ecuador's largest city and a major manufacturing center. Guayaquil features a hot climate, diverse ethnic mixture, and beautiful white sand beaches. See the last traces of the city's colonial style in Las Pe'as, where two cannons guard the neighborhood's entrance. Las Pe'as is also home to Guayaquil's oldest church.

This is the port for Trujillo, the "Lordly City," whose elegant mansions and churches reflect the aristocracy of the Spanish colonial era. Here you may opt for a thrilling excursion to Chan-Chan, an immense and magnificent enclave that since A.D. 1300 has been the center of the sophisticated Chim culture.

Callao is your port of entry to the glittering, elegant city of Lima, the darling of Peru. Founded by Pizarro and the Conquistadors, the capital city today offers priceless collections ranging from the Museum of Gold to the Museum of Anthropology and Archeology. Pizarro's remains can be found in the Cathedral, built in 1746. From Lima, you can also take a tour to Machu Picchu, the mysterious lost city of the Incas high in the Andes, or to Cuzco, the capital of the Incan Empire.

Callao is your port of entry to the glittering, elegant city of Lima, the darling of Peru. Founded by Pizarro and the Conquistadors, the capital city today offers priceless collections ranging from the Museum of Gold to the Museum of Anthropology and Archeology. Pizarro's remains can be found in the Cathedral, built in 1746. From Lima, you can also take a tour to Machu Picchu, the mysterious lost city of the Incas high in the Andes, or to Cuzco, the capital of the Incan Empire.

San Martin, located off the Peruvian coast, boasts an abundance of exciting attractions and spectacular scenery. Wander through a soft green paradise of lagoons, forests, and ancient ruins. Soak in the soothing waters of local rivers, waterfalls, and thermal falls. Make your night on the town one to remember by ascending the towering dance stages at Oasis.

The second-largest town on Chile's Chiloe Island, Castro is a tiny jewel nestled on the scenic coast. Visitors delight in the famous local cuisine, featuring exotic meat and seafood dishes for the most discerning tastebuds. Travelers can stroll through the sunny confines of the local market, which offers a variety of richly textured native clothing, hand-crafted artwork, and unique souvenirs.

Between Tierra del Fuego and Patagonia on the coast of Chile, massive glaciers grind beautiful fjords where the land meets the sea. Watch the soaring Andean condors. Other local fauna include orcas, seals, penguins, and petrels. There is no reason to be spooked by the sight of an albatross, either--they are actually quite a beautiful sight.

Punta Arenas is known as the southernmost city on Earth. It is in Chile, and overlooks the Strait of Magellan. The city's attractions include the Museo Salesiano de Mayonino Borgatello and the Centro Cultural Braun-Menendez. The former is a museum covering the region, and the latter provides a view of a local trading family. Be sure to visit the nearby penguin colony.

The Beagle Channel is a beautiful strait to the south of Tierra del Fuego, the southernmost point of South America. The Channel was named after the ship that Charles Darwin once used to explore the area. See some of the same wildlife that captivated Darwin's imagination and stimulated his intellect. The area is rich with yellow-winged finches, Chilean green parrots, seals, and orcas.

The southernmost town in the world faces the Beagle Channel, where Charles Darwin encountered the now-extinct Yahgan Indians in 1832. In this desolate, wind-swept part of the world, the scenery and wildlife are awesome. Visit the Park Nacional Tierra del Fuego, where you'll find magnificent forest beaches, towering mountains, crystal-clear lakes, as well as seals, walrus, and giant sea birds.

Port Stanley is the only town on the Falkland Islands, and though it has little more than 1,200 residents, it contains half of the islands' population. On the other hand there are 700,000 sheep, and a wonderful assortment of sea birds and elephant seals. Though subject to the British Queen, Argentinean claims to the "Islas Malvinas" caused war in 1982.

In Montevideo, visitors are often surprised and delighted to discover that the city still retains the disposition and feel of an intimate village. The Old City of Montevideo seems lodged in another time, with customs and architecture from a past era. In the center, the Hotel Plaza Fuerte displays characteristics of the past. Visitors are charmed by its decor and views of the city.

Buenos Aires is a very European city located in the heart of Argentina. German and Italian culture combine with the Spanish native tongue and flavor of Buenos Aires. The food of the city is legendary. If you leave Buenos Aires without seeing a tango show, you have missed out. The energy, melancholy, passion, and tension of the city come bursting forth from this music and dance.

Buenos Aires is a very European city located in the heart of Argentina. German and Italian culture combine with the Spanish native tongue and flavor of Buenos Aires. The food of the city is legendary. If you leave Buenos Aires without seeing a tango show, you have missed out. The energy, melancholy, passion, and tension of the city come bursting forth from this music and dance.

Stretching towards the South Atlantic on a narrow strip of land, Punta del Este divides the waters of the Rio de La Plata and the Atlantic Ocean. This South American vacation hotspot has charming seaside chaets lining miles of wonderful coasts with sparkling clear waters. Magnificent sunsets and lush gardens flourish in this tropical town.

Called the "Wonderful City" by Brazilians, Rio features the best of all worlds. Great nightlife, beautiful beaches, stunning shorelines, friendly people, plenty of shopping, and many, many restaurants featuring cuisine from all over the world make Rio a thrill for all five senses!

Called the "Wonderful City" by Brazilians, Rio features the best of all worlds. Great nightlife, beautiful beaches, stunning shorelines, friendly people, plenty of shopping, and many, many restaurants featuring cuisine from all over the world make Rio a thrill for all five senses!

Buzios lives up to all the expectation of a great sun and sand getaway. More than twenty beaches and crystal clear water await you in this port, which has frequently been ranked one of the ten most beautiful cities in the world. Great food, an active nightlife with discos and nightclubs, in addition to numerous fine boutiques and restaurants, make Buzios a great destination.

The city of Salvador, which dates back four hundred years, is an unbelievable experience. Surf or swim in the crystal blue waters of Salvador's more than twenty beaches. Feel the rhythms the African-influenced music that springs up everywhere and then dance the night away at one of the city's clubs. Be sure to try some of the Moqueca, a local fish stew.

Located in the northeast region of Brazil, the coastal city of Fortaleza is a beach-goers dream! Fortaleza is famous for its golden beaches. When you're done with the surf, do some shopping at the local markets. Be sure to try the seafood, especially the lobster, a Fortaleza specialty.

Experience the once-in-a-lifetime thrill of cruising down the mighty Amazon River. The Amazon gets as wide as two hundred miles in places and the dazzling array of plant and animal species tops twenty thousand different varieties. You'll see parrots and toucans, turtles, alligators, and even a few monkeys!

Santarem, located near the convergence of the Tapajos and Amazon Rivers, serves as the supply center for the miners and prospectors in the region and serves a major port of call for river steamers.

At the center of millions of miles of rain forest, Parintins is a quiet island where you'll learn about the life of the indigenous people of Brazil. Parintins was the focus of the Conference on the 500 Years of the Indigenous Peoples, on the 500th anniversary of the first meeting of Brazil's indigenous world with European civilization. Also the site of the famous Boi Bumba Festival every summer.

See the signs of the lavish lifestyle and ornate architecture of the 19th century rubber barons that made their fortunes around Manaus, including the opera house, which was recently renovated. Manaus is the main port of the Amazonia.

See the signs of the lavish lifestyle and ornate architecture of the 19th century rubber barons that made their fortunes around Manaus, including the opera house, which was recently renovated. Manaus is the main port of the Amazonia.

A small Amazon village in the middle of the Amazon. Get a taste of the Amazonian lifestyle up close while bartering for local handcrafts at the port.

The resort village of Alter do Chao boasts beautiful white sand beaches and turquoise waters. Relax on the shores of the Tapajos River and Lago Verde (Green Lake). Be sure to plan a visit to the superb Center for the Preservation of Indigenous Art as well. Find out why Alter do Chao is a vacation spot of choice for many Brazilians.

Experience the once-in-a-lifetime thrill of cruising down the mighty Amazon River. The Amazon gets as wide as two hundred miles in places and the dazzling array of plant and animal species tops twenty thousand different varieties. You'll see parrots and toucans, turtles, alligators, and even a few monkeys!

The most notorious of the three Salvation Islands, Devil's Island functioned for generations as a French penal colony. Once known as the "Dry Guillotine" because so many prisoners died there, the island today seems haunted by the spirits of former prisoners. Henri Charriere, better known as "Papillon," claimed to be the only prisoner ever to escape the Island.

Scuba divers and snorkelers will appreciate the magnificence of the tropical fish and coral reefs in the waters surrounding Tobago. History fans take note: the battle between French, British, Spanish, and Dutch for the control of Tobago led to the construction of Fort King George, which overlooks Port of Spain.

Bridgetown is the southernmost port on the island of Barbados and its capital. The beaches are plentiful, as is the seafood. Enjoy swimming, snorkeling, and diving in the beautiful blue waters of the Caribbean or try your hand at a local cricket match.

Tiny and charming, Roseau offers visitors an intimate look at the nation of Dominica. Stroll past the houses on Castle Street, marked by quaint tin roofs and gingerbread fretwork. Tour the Dominican Museum and the plentiful shops in Post Office Square. Pose for scenic nautical photos in front of the Bay Front Sea Wall. Enjoy the chattering antics of native parrots at the local bird sanctuary.

The fortress of El Morro guards the harbor against long-gone Sir Francis Drake and his British privateers. The colorful streets of Old San Juan retain the Latin flavor of its seafaring past, when this was the heart of the Spanish Main. Sample the fiery rum made here, or indulge in an icy treat made from fresh tropical fruit and enjoy the Caribbean atmosphere.

Ft. Lauderdale has 23 miles of beaches, 300 miles of inland waterways and swimming pools galore, but immersing yourself in this city doesn't require a drop of water. Dive into a culture as deep as any ocean, a culture characterized by Seminoles and Broadway shows, golf and whimsical water taxis, fine cuisine and tasty jazz. And just like the horizon here, the list of attractions goes on and on.