Caribbean Gems & Panama Canal

Miami, located on the Atlantic coast at the southern tip of Florida, where outdoor sports are open all seasons and dress is casual, is a melting pot of cultures. Miami and Miami Beach are in effect two distinctly different cities, as Miami Beach is almost exclusively tourist orientated, while Miami is a cosmopolitan city with a distinctly Latin American flavour. Don’t miss the South Beach section where fashion designer Gianni Versace lived and died that is one of the trendiest neighbourhoods in the world. Read more about Miami, USA

San Juan, the capital and most populous city of Puerto Rico, is the oldest city on US territory. It is the Caribbean commercial hub, best known for its beautifully restored historic district of Old San Juan. It is situated on a rocky peninsula girded by thick walls jutting into the crashing Atlantic surf. Read more about San Juan, Puerto Rico

Saint-Barthelemy (St Bart’s) is a French island located in the Caribbean among the Leeward Islands. St Bart’s has long been considered a playground of the rich and famous, and is known for its beautiful pristine world class beaches, gourmet dining in chic restaurants, and duty free high-end designer shopping. Two interesting fact are: firstly, that the population is nearly entirely of European ancestry, and secondly that the island - consisting principally cliffs and hills - has no rivers or springs. Read more about St Bart's, Guadeloupe

Roseau, a small, compact and most important urban settlement, is the capital and largest city of the island of Dominica, in the Caribbean. Dominica has been nicknamed the ‘Nature Isle of the Caribbean’ for its unspoiled natural beauty. Interestingly, it is built on the site of the ancient Kalinago Indian village of Sairi. Read more about Roseau, Dominica

Basse-Terre, on Basse-Terre Island, is the administrative capital of Guadeloupe, an overseas region of France located in the Lesser Antilles, Eastern Caribbean. It is filled with various historical landmarks and forts that date back to 1643, as well as several colonial buildings and monuments all around the city. It is connected to Grande-Terre by the Point de la Gabare Bridge that is built over Riviere Salee. Read more about Basse-Terre, Guadeloupe

Read more about Jost Van Dyke, Virgin Islands (British)

Miami, located on the Atlantic coast at the southern tip of Florida, where outdoor sports are open all seasons and dress is casual, is a melting pot of cultures. Miami and Miami Beach are in effect two distinctly different cities, as Miami Beach is almost exclusively tourist orientated, while Miami is a cosmopolitan city with a distinctly Latin American flavour. Don’t miss the South Beach section where fashion designer Gianni Versace lived and died that is one of the trendiest neighbourhoods in the world. Read more about Miami, USA

Mediterranean-flavoured Catalina Island is a world removed from the bustle of LA, and has been a popular getaway since chewing-gum magnate William Wrigley Jr purchased the place in 1919. It is part of the Channel Islands, a chain of semi-submerged mountains off the coast of Southern California with a unique ecosystem. Most of the island’s interior of sun-baked hillsides, valleys and canyons is owned by the Santa Catalina Island Conservancy, which ensures that it will never become overly developed. Read more about Santa Catalina, USA

Read more about Willemstad, Curaçao, Curaçao

Santa Marta in Colombia is more than the average tropical paradise. It certainly has warm Caribbean surf and white sandy beaches, but it's also much loved for the stunning Sierra Nevada mountain range that towers above it. Being the oldest city in the country also has its advantages. Read more about Santa Marta, Colombia

Named one of the seven modern wonders of the world by the American Society of Civil Engineers, the Panama Canal is a 77 km ship canal in Panama that joins the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, and is a key conduit for international maritime trade. Built from 1903 to 1914, nearly 850,000 vessels have passed through the canal. Interestingly, the 8-10 hour journey from the Pacific Ocean in the west and the Atlantic Ocean in the east is one from SE to NW. Read more about Panama Canal, Panama

Named one of the seven modern wonders of the world by the American Society of Civil Engineers, the Panama Canal is a 77 km ship canal in Panama that joins the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, and is a key conduit for international maritime trade. Built from 1903 to 1914, nearly 850,000 vessels have passed through the canal. Interestingly, the 8-10 hour journey from the Pacific Ocean in the west and the Atlantic Ocean in the east is one from SE to NW. Read more about Panama Canal, Panama

Named one of the seven modern wonders of the world by the American Society of Civil Engineers, the Panama Canal is a 77 km ship canal in Panama that joins the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, and is a key conduit for international maritime trade. Built from 1903 to 1914, nearly 850,000 vessels have passed through the canal. Interestingly, the 8-10 hour journey from the Pacific Ocean in the west and the Atlantic Ocean in the east is one from SE to NW. Read more about Panama Canal, Panama

Located on Costa Rica’s south Pacific coast near the border of Panama, the small port city of Golfito is a spectacular tropical hideaway situated across from the Osa Peninsula on the Golfo Dulce. It lies on a narrow strip of land along Golfito Bay and is backed against steep green hills covered with pristine rain forest. Once a major banana growing region, due to disease and worker unrest the company closed down. Read more about Golfito, Costa Rica

Puntarenas is the capital and largest city in the province Puntarenas, on the Pacific coast of Costa Rica, and is one of the country’s most important tourist regions. Its coasts are decked with plenty of islands, inlets, beaches and beautiful natural treasures, many of which lie within protected zones, and it is also home to some of the country’s highest mountain peaks. Of great interest is a small ‘old town’ where the buildings are of both historical and architectural interest. Read more about Puntarenas, Costa Rica

Puerto Quetzal is a city on the Pacific Ocean in the south of Guatemala in Central America. While the city offers family fun, upscale restaurants and markets, it mainly serves as a tourist's gateway to the inland attractions of the unique ecosystems and remains from the Maya civilisation. Many visit the UNESCO World Heritage-listed city of Antigua, about two hours away, and on the trip are amazed by the green tropical vegetation of the beautiful tropical lowlands, as well as the views of active volcanoes. Read more about Puerto Quetzal, Guatemala

Puerto Chiapas lies on the Pacific coast in southern Mexico. Built in 1975, it has served to promote tourism in this area. It is a small port town that handles the export of agricultural products grown in the region, an area of rich green lowlands and foothills. Read more about Puerto Chiapas, Mexico

Huatulco with its nine bays with 36 beaches - many of which are accessible only by boat - is a tourist development centred on the town La Crucecita in Mexico. With the help of local guides and businesses one can explore the beaches and bays in relative privacy, or dive to see tropical fish and coral. The entire area has a ‘small town’ feel about it and is rarely crowded. Read more about Huatulco, Mexico

Cabo San Lucas, or just Cabo, is an interesting destination that captures the essence of the Baja Peninsula Mexico. Once a base for pirate vessels waiting to pounce on Spanish treasure ships, today with its many resorts, championship golf courses, world-class dining, and amazing outdoor activities, it is a great tourist attraction. Future plans include an artificial island to sit in the bay, complete with restaurants and bars. Read more about Cabo San Lucas, Mexico

Los Angeles, also called LA, or the City of Angels, is situated in southern California, and as the home base of Hollywood is the Entertainment Capital of the world. There is so much to do in this famous city, such as visit LA's most popular beach Santa Monica that offers ocean activities, shopping, street performers and more, or simply investigate the fantastic shopping venues. Helicopter tours are now becoming extremely popular, as one gets to see beaches, movie star homes, the Hollywood sign, downtown, and all of the attractions through the eyes of an expert. Read more about Los Angeles, USA