SeaDream II - January 21, 2023

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.

In Gustavia, the capital, there are branches of several well-known French shops (such as Cartier). The small crowd of habitues is mostly young, chic, and French. The food, wine, and aromas are equally Gallic. The harbour or Carenage was renamed Gustavia after the 18th-century Swedish king, Gustavus III, and became a free port, marking the beginning of the island's greatest prosperity.

The capital of French Saint-Martin, lies between Simpson Bay Lagoon and the Caribbean sea. Boutiques offer French pret-a-porter fashions and St Barts batiks, and gift shops sell liqueurs, perfumes, and cosmetics. At the Marina Port La Royale complex there are chic shops, cafes and bistros where you can sit and watch the boats.