San Juan to Buenos Aires

Rich in history, La Fortaleza is the oldest governor’s mansion in the western hemisphere; be sure to see the mahogany clock which stopped in time when the last Spanish governor of Puerto Rico struck it with his sword on his way out, heralding the last moment of Spanish rule in the New World.

Island of celebrity hideaways and posh bungalows, considered by many to be the most elite and glamorous of all the Caribbean isles, St. Barts is home to 22 incredible beaches. Anse de Flamanes presents camera-ready scenery, Baie de St-Jean serves up beachside bistros, and Anse de Grand Cul-de-Sac offers an array of watersports.

Pointe-à-Pitre, Guadeloupe’s largest city, is situated on a limestone plateau on the island of Grande-Terre. The city’s structures were built with shipping and the growth of that industry in mind, and locals, lovingly referred to as “Pointois,” contribute to this continued progress and economic expansion by exporting food crops, animal products and manufactured goods. Visitors enjoy strolling the narrow lanes along the waterfront or shopping the colorful market stalls of the Marché Couvert.

Just off the coast of Venezuela sit the Caribbean isles of Trinidad and Tobago, birthplace of steel pan and calypso music, chutney and limbo. On Trinidad, see the Emperor Valley Zoo, Botanical Gardens, Asa Wright Nature Center and impressive colonial houses, known as the Magnificent Seven. Off the coast of Tobago lies Buccoo Reef, a natural wonder viewable by glass-bottom boat.

Devil’s Island (Ile du Diable) is one of the three infamous penal colonies of the Iles du Salut archipelago (Islands of Salvation). The penitentiary was first opened by Emperor Napoleon III’s government in 1852, and became one of the most infamous prisons in history before closing in 1946. Very few convicts ever managed to escape the island. One prisoner who became world famous was Henri Charriére, immortalized in the movie Papillon, for supposedly being the only convict ever to have escaped.

Fortaleza is the capital of the northeastern Brazilian state of Ceará. It’s known for its beaches, which are punctuated by red cliffs, palm trees, dunes and lagoons. Fortaleza’s long-standing folkloric traditions are presented in dance performances at the art nouveau José de Alencar theater, open since 1910. Another architectural highlight is the neo-Gothic Catedral Metropolitana.

Named for the great coral reef that lies off its shorts, Recife has been dubbed the “Venice of Brazil” by visitors and locals alike.

Maceió is the capital city of the state of Alagoas, on the east coast of Brazil. Its historic center is home to pastel-colored colonial houses, a 19th-century cathedral and the Théo Brandão Museum of Anthropology and Folklore, located in a renovated seafront mansion. Protected by an offshore reef, the coast is lined with white-sand beaches. Ponta Verde beach has a palm-lined promenade, beach kiosks and water sports.

Vibrant Rio lies cradled in the outstretched arms of the Christ the Redeemer Statue, which stands atop Corcovado Mountain. At the feet of this magnificent landmark lies one of the world’s most magnificent bays. Golden beaches with such alluring names as Copacabana and Ipanema stretch as far as the eye can see. There are close to two dozen such bays, which serve as a playground for some of the world’s most beautiful people. All along this waterfront, which swirls with mosaic art, are five-star hotels, elegant shops, popular restaurants and a lifestyle to match. Winding its way along this magnificent mile or so is a constant parade of handsome Cariocas, as the local people are known.

Vibrant Rio lies cradled in the outstretched arms of the Christ the Redeemer Statue, which stands atop Corcovado Mountain. At the feet of this magnificent landmark lies one of the world’s most magnificent bays. Golden beaches with such alluring names as Copacabana and Ipanema stretch as far as the eye can see. There are close to two dozen such bays, which serve as a playground for some of the world’s most beautiful people. All along this waterfront, which swirls with mosaic art, are five-star hotels, elegant shops, popular restaurants and a lifestyle to match. Winding its way along this magnificent mile or so is a constant parade of handsome Cariocas, as the local people are known.

Vibrant Rio lies cradled in the outstretched arms of the Christ the Redeemer Statue, which stands atop Corcovado Mountain. At the feet of this magnificent landmark lies one of the world’s most magnificent bays. Golden beaches with such alluring names as Copacabana and Ipanema stretch as far as the eye can see. There are close to two dozen such bays, which serve as a playground for some of the world’s most beautiful people. All along this waterfront, which swirls with mosaic art, are five-star hotels, elegant shops, popular restaurants and a lifestyle to match. Winding its way along this magnificent mile or so is a constant parade of handsome Cariocas, as the local people are known.

Santos, a coastal city in southern Brazils São Paulo state, is a major seaport stretching from the mainland to São Vicente Island. The islands urban center borders the Bay of Santos, known for its wide beach and adjacent 5.3km-long garden. The Museu do Café, occupying a 1922 commodities exchange preserved in the historic district, explores the areas key role in Brazils coffee trade.

Montevideo is the capital of Uruguay, South America’s second-smallest country. Beyond urban limits, 90% of Uruguay’s land is devoted to sheep and cattle grazing, as Montevideo is this nation’s largest city. Legend tells us that its name originated from the words monte vide eu meaning “I see a mountain,” exclaimed by an eager lookout when Magellan’s fleet first arrived in 1520. Set in a picturesque location along the River Plate’s shores, Montevideo evokes all the flavor of Spain with the massive masonry, hidden patios and palm-shaded plazas that are so reminiscent of that country. Attractions abound. Stroll wide boulevards and leafy parks, view imposing statuary or experience the thrill of an estancia visit.

Cosmopolitan Buenos Aires, whose name means city of “favorable winds,” is the capital of Argentina. With broad, well planned avenues, charming sidewalk cafés, carefully tended parks, elaborate monuments, noble statues and splendid rococo buildings, it exudes an air of sophisticated elegance. Until the 1880s, Buenos Aires was a mere village. However, it has now prospered into one of Latin America’s most sophisticated centers, with a population of over 11 million. Buenos Aires has also frequently been dubbed the “Paris of the Southern Hemisphere,” due to its superb restaurants, art galleries, museums and European-influenced architecture

Cosmopolitan Buenos Aires, whose name means city of “favorable winds,” is the capital of Argentina. With broad, well planned avenues, charming sidewalk cafés, carefully tended parks, elaborate monuments, noble statues and splendid rococo buildings, it exudes an air of sophisticated elegance. Until the 1880s, Buenos Aires was a mere village. However, it has now prospered into one of Latin America’s most sophisticated centers, with a population of over 11 million. Buenos Aires has also frequently been dubbed the “Paris of the Southern Hemisphere,” due to its superb restaurants, art galleries, museums and European-influenced architecture