Calypso Sands – Cartagena to Miami

Take a scenic drive through the residential area of Manga and admire the beautiful mansions. Explore the Castillo San Felipe de Barajas, a fort that was once the most important military structure built in Latin America. Enjoy a boat ride to the Islas del Rosario and continue to the island of San Martín de Pajarales to visit the aquarium. Board a beautiful Spanish galleon, a replica of a 17th century sailing ship, for a cruise of the inner bay of Cartagena.

From the mangroves of Ciénaga Grande to the beaches of Tayrona National Park, Santa Marta offers a multitude of thrilling adventures. The oldest city in Colombia, it abounds with Spanish colonial charm, including one of the first basilicas built in Latin America, the Cathedral of Santa Marta. To learn of ancient history, explore the Ciudad Perdida, or “Lost City,” believed to have been founded 650 years before Machu Picchu.

Distinguished by its colorful Dutch colonial architecture, Oranjestad is the capital of Aruba, first settled in 1796. Named as a tribute to the Dutch king William of Orange, the city today attracts tourists searching for duty-free bargains and strolling around the beautiful streets.

Take in the charming Dutch colonial architecture along the Willemstad harbor in this historic town that has been named a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Explore the aquamarine waters of Curacao’s numerous beaches and dive along the stunning coral reefs and hidden caverns. Hike the trails or join a safari through Christoffel National Park to observe the rare flora and fauna.

Explore the wonderful Buccoo Reef by glass-bottom boat and gasp at its colorful fish and coral. Enjoy the thrill of sailing on a catamaran to the sounds of calypso music and then snorkel in a beautiful bay. Discover the island and its Fort King George, famed botanical garden, market and Tobago Museum. Or take a walk through the island’s tropical rainforest and see the breathtaking cascading Gold and Silver Falls.

Known as the “City of Arches,” this town is filled with old world charm and accented with rich, rolling green hills. Kingstown’s cenotaph is a beautiful monument atop a granite pedestal that honors soldiers who died in the first and second world wars. Built in 1820, St. George’s Cathedral houses exquisite galleries, and the city’s botanical garden is the oldest in the Western Hemisphere.

Comprising eight small islands – two inhabited – Îles des Saintes is a place where you can be happy doing absolutely nothing. You’ll be tendered to Terre-de-Haut Island, where the local population numbers less than 2,000. Whether your agenda consists of seeing a specific sight like Fort Napoléon, getting active on a hike, or taking a short stroll to find a café, this laid-back locale has got you covered. Hire a boat to go scuba diving. Shop for handpainted t-shirts or posters with island themes. Or simply plant yourself in the sand and let the balmy breezes of the Caribbean carry you into a reverie.

Antigua’s blissfully undeveloped sister island, Barbuda is the ultimate untrodden paradise. Surrounded by a protective reef, the island features a large lagoon and beautifully calm pink coral and white sand beaches. Barbuda is also home to one of the world’s largest frigate bird sanctuaries with Codrington Lagoon National Park serving as the thriving habitat of about 5,000 of these seabirds. The island’s cliff-lined shoreline reveals neolithic caves, one of which has become recognized for its rock-carved petroglyphs created by Arawak natives. Round out your experience by tucking into freshly caught lobster at one of the laid-back restaurants in town.

Begin in Old San Juan, a walled enclave of hundreds of restored 16th and 17th century Spanish colonial buildings. Notice the blue-tinged cobblestone streets; they were once ballast on Spanish ships. Elsewhere, tour the medieval Saint John the Baptist Cathedral, the Museum of Art, and Casa del Libro, a repository of priceless documents.

People-watchers will enjoy South Beach’s Ocean Drive, while architecture buffs will love the Art Deco District. If you’re looking for something a bit different, there are world-class museums and shopping venues too. In Miami, there really is something for everyone.