Miami To Los Angeles

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.

Spend a glorious day swimming at famed Cane Garden Bay Beach, hiking in the rainforest or enjoying a scenic drive around this lush island. Swim with dolphins, go sea kayaking, or head over to Virgin Gorda and climb down to the famous Baths for a day of swimming and exploring this natural phenomenon.

Snorkel amidst the exotic fish and majestic coral reefs in the undersea world of Shipwreck Cove. Egrets, plovers, pelicans and herons are among the wildlife found via kayak tours of the beautiful saltwater lagoons. Discover the dazzling colors of hundreds of butterflies on the ever-popular Butterfly Farm. With a little training from local sailing professionals, you can even navigate a race on an America’s Cup course onboard the world-renowned sailboat, Stars and Stripes.

Tour this beautiful island and marvel at the rugged coastline and its unspoiled, upscale atmosphere, unique in the Caribbean for its Swedish and French heritage. Enjoy the spectacular beaches and resorts, snorkel or dive in the crystalline waters, or see underwater wonders from a semi-submersible marine vessel.

With more than a quarter of the island set aside as a national park and a rainforest that is growing rather than shrinking, St. Kitts is a stunning tropical island escape. Soar through the Valley of the Giants on a thrilling zip line, hike to Sofa Rock, which is the cap of a still smoldering volcano, or simply spend the day relaxing on one of the many beaches protected by major coral reefs.

Take a scenic drive, enjoy panoramic island views and visit famed Nelson’s Dockyard. Go deep-sea fishing or off road to interesting seaside villages and see the fragile mangrove ecosystem. Play golf, enjoy snorkeling and sea kayaking, or just spend the day relaxing on a fabulous white sand beach.

Experience the natural wonders of this lush, unspoiled island, from the beautiful Emerald Pool and dense rainforest to spectacular vistas and rare plants and birds. Spend some time snorkeling or try ocean kayaking. Take an aerial tram through the tree canopy near Boiling Lake. Or go on a search for whales and dolphins.

Tucked along the island’s western shore, Fort-de-France is a Francophile’s tropical dream city. French architecture such as the Cathédral St-Louis graces the downtown, the beaches exude a joie de vivre, and several French-built forts perch atop the promontories. All roads lead to La Savane, a serene central park overseen by a statue of Empress Josephine.

Explore this lush, beautiful island and its bustling capital. Visit the historic La Toc Battery, see banana plantations, and watch silk screening at Bagshaws. Venture south to Soufriere at the base of the Piton peaks and see the unique gingerbread architecture of the marketplace. Take a bike ride through the rain forest to a lovely waterfall, kayak in the deep blue Caribbean, snorkel or dive to spectacular reefs.

Discover the many beautiful aspects of this island, from its rugged Atlantic coastline to its beautiful Great Houses, cane fields, exquisite gardens and glorious beaches. See the island’s spectacular underwater treasures on your own snorkeling expedition.

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.

You can smell the cinnamon and nutmeg well before you dock in St. George’s; a tour of the spice estates on Grenada is almost mandatory. You can also take in a visit to a distillery to see how the island’s sugarcane juice is first turned into syrup and then into rum. A ferry trip to sister island Carriacou offers fantastic diving opportunities, and romantics can climb the waterfalls or just relax on the sun-kissed beaches.

The penal colony of Cayenne, commonly known as Devil’s Island, was a French penal colony that operated in the 19th and 20th century in the Salvation Islands of French Guiana.

Today one of Brazil’s major cities, with a colourful harbour area and a colonial history dating back to 1612, Fortaleza has developed around the ancient fortress of Our Lady of Assumption (Fortaleza Nossa Senhora de Assuncao). There’s much to enjoy in its old centre, where you visit the magnificent iron structured Teatro Jose de Alencar and various museums or you can bargain in the market for embroidery, lace and other local handicrafts. In recent times, the city has made attempts to expand the tourist trade and to encourage the construction of luxury hotels along the city’s fine beaches.

Discover colonial Brazil in Recife and nearby Olinda and step back in time along narrow, winding streets amid meticulously restored homes, churches and lovely plazas. Admire the scenic views from the Malakoff Tower and Olinda’s hilltop plaza. Visit the old Dutch fort, the Jewish Historic Archive and a local artist in his workshop and gallery.

Wrapped around a sparkling lagoon that links up with the sea, Maceió is a modern tourist destination with a reverence for its Portuguese colonial past. Spot architectural jewels including the stunning blue-and-white-tiled Bom Jesus dos Martírios church and take in a sweeping panorama of the city from the São Gonçalo Belvedere. For an authentic keepsake, select among a rainbow of rendas, traditional lacework evocative of fish netting that has been dyed in tropical colors. It’s no surprise that in Maceió water activities reign supreme, including a catamaran cruise over the Mundaú Lagoon to a secluded beach for the ultimate respite under the sun.

An amazing city, its Portuguese and African cultures blend almost seamlessly into one. See Bahia’s fascinating past in its hundreds of colonial churches and colorful markets. Even its location, atop a bluff around spectacular All Saints Bay is breathtaking. Enjoy its intriguing culture, from the candomblé religious practices to the insinuating rhythm of the samba.

Enjoy a scenic cable car ride to the top of Sugarloaf Mountain for its renowned view. Ride the cog railway through dense forest to Corcovado. Visit the lush botanical gardens, see famed Ipanema and Copacabana beaches and take in a thrilling samba show.

Enjoy exploring this beautiful island, hiking its trails, kayaking, snorkeling, diving to spectacular sites or simply relaxing on its gorgeous beaches. Savor the dense tropical forest with its diversity of birds, flowers, iguanas, monkeys and myriad wildlife found in this protected reserve.

Considered the St. Tropez of Brazil, Buzios boasts a cosmopolitan style reminiscent of the French Riviera. Sunbathe at one of the twenty beaches, including Azeda Beach with its calm and crystal-clear waters. Horseback riding, fishing, diving and catamaran cruises are also popular. Take a walking tour of the Emerências Reserve, where you’ll find exotic plants, bromeliads and even the last golden lion tamarin monkeys in the region. At the Tauá Reserve, see more than 300 species of butterflies and 60 types of birds.

Savor this gem of a historic town with its beautifully preserved Portuguese colonial architecture, charming narrow streets, imposing fort and exquisite churches. Enjoy a leisurely schooner cruise through this group of lush islands past quaint fishing villages and pristine beaches. Stop at a beach to swim, snorkel or just relax.

Journey inland to vibrant São Paulo and see its modern skyscrapers and monuments and visit the beautiful art museum. Or explore charming Santos and its extraordinary botanical garden, including an orchidarium with over 100 flower species and an aviary alive with macaws, toucans and parrots. Take a scenic drive to Guaruja and visit the resort town’s fascinating aquarium.

Perched on a lovely peninsula in southern Brazil, Porto Belo is revered for its beaches, most especially Bombas and Bombinhas, which share a beautiful emerald-green bay. In fact, the area is called the “Emerald Coast.” Diving and snorkeling are spectacular in the nearby Marine Reserve of Arvoredo because warm and cooler waters meet here, attracting an incredible diversity of marine life.

Explore this lovely old Portuguese city, its gracious squares and beautiful churches. Visit the Museum of Sacred Art and the fascinating oceanographic museum. Or see the vast pampas and feel the gaucho life on a local estancia. Shopping:

Spend the day enjoying this beautiful, chic beach resort, its marinas and interesting shops. See amazing works by Dali, Chagall and Miro at the Ralli Museum. Or venture into the equally stunning countryside and visit a cattle station. Shopping:

Explore this charming, cosmopolitan city of parks and colonial architecture. Visit a local vineyard and sample its wines. Or travel to the beautiful Portuguese colonial city of Colonia del Sacramento, first settled in 1680.

Discover this elegant city and its beautiful surroundings with a tranquil cruise through the Tigre Delta past islands, mansions and English gardens. Visit the pampas and watch gauchos display their extraordinary horsemanship, or enjoy a fabulous tango show in its birthplace.

Discover this quaint town, its cathedral, authentic English pubs, neat gardens, war memorials and fascinating landscape. Set off for an adventure on this South Atlantic island and visit a penguin colony and watch for albatross and skuas or go to a sprawling sheep farm.

Witness the spectacular beauty of Tierra del Fuego’s lakes, lush forests, soaring mountains and flora and fauna by train, via all-terrain vehicle or on horseback. Enjoy the expansive views from Garibaldi Pass and watch for sea lions and albatross along the Beagle Channel.

Explore the town and its history and enjoy stunning views over the Strait of Magellan to fabled Tierra del Fuego. Discover the scenic Patagonian countryside and visit a local sheep farm. The highlight is the Magellanic penguin rookery at Otway Sound. Or fly to Chile’s magnificent Torres Del Paine National Park.

Sail through some of the worlds narrowest and most scenic waterways. Near the serrated southern tip of Chile, the Southern Andes plunge into icy waters, leaving a region so wild and remote that it has been virtually untouched since the beginning of time. It is here in Chiles fjords that ancient glaciers sliced their way between the mountains, leaving isolated islands and hidden coves upon their retreat.

Sail through some of the worlds narrowest and most scenic waterways. Near the serrated southern tip of Chile, the Southern Andes plunge into icy waters, leaving a region so wild and remote that it has been virtually untouched since the beginning of time. It is here in Chiles fjords that ancient glaciers sliced their way between the mountains, leaving isolated islands and hidden coves upon their retreat.

Experience a bit of rugged Patagonia with a drive into the Andes Mountains through a stunning valley to the Rio Simpson National Reserve and the town of Coyhaique. Or visit the magnificent private Aikén del Sur Park with its many waterfalls, wetlands, forests and mosses.

Enjoy the Bavarian ambiance of the Lake District as you visit the edge of the Patagonian wilderness, seeing pristine wood forests, vast lakes, soaring waterfalls, snow-capped peaks and spectacular vistas.

Nestled between the Andes and the Pacific Ocean, energetic Santiago de Chile offers surprising discoveries with its renovated arts scene, expansive museums and noteworthy restaurants you won’t want to miss. Take in the outstanding views of this cosmopolitan capital by biking or hiking up one of its many gorgeous hills. Visit the Plaza de Armas – Santiago’s Original City Center – where you’ll be able to see a wealth of historical buildings and grand architecture. Or get a glimpse into the private and professional life of the poet and Nobel Prize winner Pablo Neruda by visiting one of his homes, all three of which have been converted into museums.

Lima, the capital of Peru, lies on the country’s arid Pacific coast. Though its colonial center is preserved, it’s a bustling metropolis and one of South America’s largest cities. It’s home to the Museo Larco collection of pre-Columbian art and the Museo de la Nación, tracing the history of Peru’s ancient civilizations. The Plaza de Armas and the 16th-century cathedral are the heart of old Lima Centro.

Lima, the capital of Peru, lies on the country’s arid Pacific coast. Though its colonial center is preserved, it’s a bustling metropolis and one of South America’s largest cities. It’s home to the Museo Larco collection of pre-Columbian art and the Museo de la Nación, tracing the history of Peru’s ancient civilizations. The Plaza de Armas and the 16th-century cathedral are the heart of old Lima Centro.

Founded by the Spanish conquistador Pizarro, Salaverry has numerous archaeological excavations and is a jumping-off spot for a visit to Machu Picchu. The “Lost City of the Incas” is one of South America’s most intriguing archaeological sites. Machu Picchu is perched 7,875 feet above sea level and has a 1,800-foot vertical drop face. What remains are extraordinary stone buildings built by the Incas for use as temples, sanctuaries and homes. This UNESCO World Heritage Site was originally built in 1460.

As a gateway to Equador, the small port city of Manta is a short drive from Montecristi, where the world’s best Panama hats are produced and where they originated. Catch a flight to the capital city of Quito, a wonderfully preserved colonial-era city perched 9,200 feet above sea level. Beautiful lakes, volcanoes and high mountains around the town of Otavalo are spectacular.

Golfito is a district and port town of the Golfito canton, in the Puntarenas province of Costa Rica, located on the southern Pacific Coast, near the border of Panama

Drive into the mountains to beautiful old Antigua, once the country’s colonial capital, and discover its lovely bougainvillea-draped buildings and breathtaking views of emerald volcanoes. Travel to famed Lake Atitlan and step back in time as you encounter the indigenous people in all of their finery still living along the lakeshore. Or better yet, fly to Flores and experience the magnificent and enigmatic Mayan temples and palaces of the Tikal complex, surrounded by jungle.

Revel in a scenic tour of this exotic desert landscape and enjoy fabulous views of the rugged coastline and an incredible cactus garden. Snorkel in a quiet cove or go in search of migrating gray whales. Or visit the neighboring port of San Jose del Cabo for a taste of old Mexico.

Bask on the sun-kissed beaches of Malibu or shop along Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills. Ride a bike through Griffith Park and visit the observatory, just below the Hollywood sign. Visit the stunning Getty Museum and maybe take in a special concert at the Disney Concert Hall, designed by Frank Gehry.