Miami to Miami

The largest city in the Persian Gulf, Abu Dhabi also gives its name to the largest of the United Arab Emirates. Created after the British pulled out of the Persian Gulf in 1971, the Emirates consist of seven sheikdoms formerly known as the Trucial States. During the 3rd millennium BC, the climate of this area was more temperate than today’s and a flourishing Bronze Age culture developed on Abu Dhabi’s coast and in the desert oasis are of AlAin/Buraimi. The remains of this ancient civilization have fascinated archaeologists since their discovery in 1960. Today you may imitate modern-day dwellers of the desert by going for an exciting desert safari in a specially-equipped 4WD vehicle.

Airlie Beach, without doubt the social centre of the Whitsundays, is a bustling village nestled between the steep mountains of Conway National Park and the sparkling blue waters of the Coral sea.

With plenty of budget accommodation (including 11 backpacker hostels) and its close proximity to beach and hinterland activities, it’s the perfect backpacker base for exploring the Whitsundays.

On the main street of Airlie Beach you’ll find everything you need: banks, post office, souvenirs, restaurants, cafes and nightclubs – many of which feature live entertainment every night of the week. And on Saturdays, there’s usually a market on the foreshore selling everything from local arts and crafts to fresh produce.

At Airlie Beach you’re close to every activity the Whitsundays has to offer. You can dive, sail, snorkel, swim and cruise the islands or reef. If you’re after some real action, there’s bungy jumping, sky diving or stunt flying. You can even feed the crocodiles. Or if you want something a little more subdued, try horse riding or 4WD rainforest touring – it’s all nearby.

No matter what time of year you visit Airlie Beach, you’ll find it a great place to stay and a wicked place to party.

Alicante lies 225 miles (362 km) southeast of Madrid. It is a small city boasting beaches and warm weather most of the year. Alicante is a haven of sidewalk cafes nestled beside little piazas or set out on the palm-lined Explanade. Marvelous views are yours from the castle of Santa Barbara, perched on a rocky peak, and in the Museum of 20th-Century Art,
with masterworks by Picasso, Miro and Braque.

In Chile’s arid Norte Grande, only one river in 700 miles of coastline makes it to the sea. Many towns have never experienced rainfall and depend on “Fogcatchers” to collect the morning dew for drinking water. This is the region of Chile’s vast, water-poor but mineral-rich Atacama Desert, where massive geological formations from the beginning of time dominate a starkly beautiful landscape. In Antofagasta’s intriguing La Portada market-place, barter with descendants of the Incas for finely woven alpaca serapes, jewelry in the Inca style and hand-carved nose flutes.

The capital of Western Samoa on the northern coast of Upolo Island in the Southern
Pacific.

Aqaba (pictured) is 204 miles (328km) from Amman, is Jordan’s only seaport. It is situated at the northern tip of the Red Sea, which is also the southern tip of the Kingdom. The port city boasts 360 days of sunshine per year and is therefore a popular summer and winter resort. Its calm waters make it an ideal spot for water-skiing, wind-surfing and scuba diving. There are a number of diving centres in Aqaba, where the novice may take lessons, or, for the more experienced diver, it is possible to rent gear and dive with local guides.

Coral formations on the reef are said to be among the most spectacular in the world and many are close enough to the surface for an amateur snorkeller to view with ease. Trips in glass-bottomed boats can also be arranged. The aquarium, situated in the Marine Sciences Centre, on the Corniche, south-east of the town, has much exotic marine life on view,
for those not wishing to get wet.

For the history buff, Aqaba offers the chance to visit sites which date back at least 5,500 years. Aqaba’s strategic location at the junction of land and sea routes from Asia, Africa and Europe has given rise to many ancient and mediaeval archaeological finds. These include the early Islamic city called Ayla, Aqaba fort, built by the Mameluke Sultan
Qabsawh el Ghawri at the beginning of the 16th century and a fine museum at the house of Sharif Hussein bin Ali, great-grandfather of the present King.

The second largest city in Peru, Arequipa is called the “white city” because of the white volcano stone with which much of the city was built. Here you’ll see charming colonial buildings, a 400 year old convent and gilded churches.

ATHENS — Athens provides a good study in how the New South coexists with the Old South. A lively music scene
(supported by students from the University of Georgia) flourishes in the bars, clubs and coffeehouses of the restored
downtown (it brought the world such bands as R.E.M. and the B52s). But you don’t have to look far to find the Old South: It’s apparent in the many Greek Revival homes and buildings that dot the city, the best example being the Taylor-Grady House. The University of Georgia, across the street from downtown, boasts a number of these Greek Revival buildings, including Demosthenian Hall and the president’s house. The university is where you’ll also find the Georgia Museum of Art (a collection heavy in 19th- and 20th-century American and Italian Renaissance paintings). Off campus you’ll find the Church-Waddel-Brumby House, the oldest surviving residence in the city, now serving as the visitors center. Athens is also home to the fragrant State Botanical Gardens of Georgia. Nature trails wind through the gardens of native flora — the rose garden is especially nice (it blooms May-November). Southeast of Athens in Washington is the Robert Toombs House, the restored home of a recalcitrant Southern politician who hated the North for political reasons and hated the Confederacy almost as much for not electing him president. One of the least mellow individuals the smooth-as-silk South has produced, Toombs never gave up his secessionist fervor or his cantankerous manner. 66 mi/106 km east of Atlanta.

A city of stunning natural beauty, Auckland blends the best of the modern cosmopolitan world with that of a Polynesian paradise. Nestled between two beautiful harbors, this marine playground offers breathtaking views and more than 1,000 bays and beaches. Shop the colorful Victorian Park Market or the charming boutiques of Parnell Village. Explore museums brimming with artifacts of the Maori culture. Or enjoy the natural splandor of the city, from English-style rose gardens to extinct volcanic sites. Popular landmarks are One Tree Hill and Mount Eden.

Bali is the festive face of Indonesia, the jewel in its crown. “Island of the Gods” and “Morning of the World” are two of the names commonly used to describe this island, which is believed by its 2.7 million people to be on loan from the gods.

Profoundly influenced by its rich Hindu culture, Bali has 20,000 temples, 60 annual religious holidays, and 2,000 dance troupes. Hardly a day goes by without a celebration, a procession, or some other festivity.

Westernmost island of the Lesser Sundas, Bali is the most visited island in the Indonesian archipelago. It possesses the country’s most developed infrastructure. The island, which is 150 kilometers (93 miles) long, is known for its beaches some with crashing surf, others with placid waters framed by multicolored coral reefs. Bali’s interior is characterized by an east-west range of volcanoes (Mount Batur rises to 1,720 meters/5,643 feet and Mount Agung to 3,000 meters/9,842 feet) and deep north-south ravines where rice paddies fall away to emerald-green terraces. Bali is characterized by volcanic soil and tropical rainfall that make it an extraordinarily green and fertile land.

Bali alone of the Indonesian islands is predominantly Hindu, and that heritage is largely responsible for the island’s unique character. When the Hindu Javanese Majapahit Empire conquered Indonesia in the 14th century, their artistic and cultural influence profoundly changed Bali, although vestiges of the island’s indigenous culture survive in isolated villages. When Muslims prevailed in Java, the entire Hindu cultural body moved its customs and practices to the smaller island, where the prevailing animist traditions were incorporated into the religion. As a result, Hinduism in Bali has its own flavor, different from that of India.

Paradoxically, given its many blessings, Bali survived the incursions of colonizers and invaders that plagued the rest of Indonesia because it lacked what other islands possessed in abundance: spices, precious metals, and woods. Thus Bali’s culture flourished more or less undisturbed until 1908, when the Dutch took control.

The airport for Puerto La Cruz in northeast on the Caribbean. Isla de Margarita is off the coast.

Bonnaire is one of the ABC islands in the Netherland Antilles of the Caribbean Sea. Excellent diving is found here in the clear waters.

Bora Bora is one of over 100 islands in the South Pacific. The people are a mix of Maori, Chinese and European, and have a unique, welcoming culture. One can experience turquoise blue waters, white sand beaches, as well as a heathly mix of culture and the arts. Excellent hiking, scuba diving, fishing, boating and more can also be easily found.

The British are still coming!

They discovered her natural beauty in the 1620’s, and they’ve been here ever since. Although the island became independent in 1966, life here till retains a strong British accent.

With a climate that is considered among the kindest in the West Indies, and spectacular natural beauty, Barbados is truly one of the gems of the Caribbean.

Welcome to Brisbane, the capital of the Sunshine State and Australia’s third largest city. Brisbane is a booming city with over one million people and is the major international gateway to South East Queensland. Brisbane also provides access to the holiday destinations of the Gold Coast to the South and the Sunshine Coast to the North. Brisbane is Australia’s third largest city and the state capital of Queensland. Not so long ago, the rest of Australia considered it little more than an
overgrown country town, but it has shirked off this unwelcome reputation to become one of the country’s most progressive centres.

Beautiful Climate
The Sub-tropical climate promotes an easy going relaxed lifestyle with hot summers and warm clear winter sun.

Explore Brisbane
Brisbane offers a whole range of activities for the visitor. The South Bank Parklands has 16 hectares of fun and excitement: Tropical rainforests, beaches, wildlife habitats, restaurants, specialty shops , shows and even an English style pub. The Queensland Art Gallery, the Queensland Museum and the Maritime Museum are justifiably famous. Customs House provides a look back in Queensland’s history, as does Newstead House complete with period furnishings.
With its Sub-tropical ambience, Brisbane has many gardens and parks. See the Koalas at the Alma Park Zoo, the Australian Woolshed also has sheep shearing demonstrations and don’t miss the Lone Pine sanctuary, the famous City Gardens and Mt Coot-tha Gardens.

Buenos Aires is one of the largest cities of Latin America, a major world port, and Argentina’s commercial and social center. Heavily industrialized, he city is one of the world’s leading exporters of processed foods. It was founded in 1536, abandoned, then resettled in 1580, and was the first Latin American city to revolt (1810) against Spanish rule.

Officially independent in 1816, it became the capital of a united Argentina in 1862. It grew into an urban colossus in the late 19th century, when railroads into the agriculturally abundant pampa to the west began to supplement the great inland river transportation system that linked the city with Uruguay, Paraguay, and Brazil, and immigration from Europe increased. Famous landmarks include the 19th century cathedral, the opera house, and the many beautiful municipal parks.

Nestled on the southern tip of California’s Baja Peninsula, there’s a feeling of peace on Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. Find your own private sand dune and bask in the sun. Walk along the famous Beach of Love – Playa del Amor. Explore Cabo’s unique rock formations that are found in almost every cove. For a special treat stop and watch artists create black coral jewelry.

The Great Barrier Reef curves close to the coast and meets the rain forest at Cairns, the gateway to Australia’s “Deep North.” Explore the reef up close via catamaran, or choose from a host of excursions the lush tropical forests, picturesque towns and homesteads that surround the city. The nearby town of Kuranda has a butterfly farm and a great street market on Sundays and Wednesdays.

Cartagena, (kär´te-jê´ne) city (1985 pop. 563,949), capital of Bolívar dept., NW Colombia, a port on the Bay of Cartagena, in the Caribbean Sea. Oil-refining and the manufacture of leather, textile, and tobacco goods are major industries, and there is an expanding petrochemical complex. Founded in 1533, Cartagena became the treasure city of the Spanish Main, where precious New World minerals awaited transshipment to Spain. It was often sacked despite its massive fortifications, some of which still stand. It declared its independence from Spain in 1811 and was incorporated into Colombia in 1821. Its rapid development in the 20th cent. was due largely to the discovery of oil in the Magdalena basin. One of the most picturesque of Latin American cities, with shady plazas and cobblestone streets, Cartagena attracts many tourists.

As the bustling capital of St. Lucia, Castries is one of the Caribbean’s most recently discovered treasures. St. Lucia is a nation where the unspoiled beauty and courtesies of days gone by live on. It is lush with tropical fruits, wild orchids, exotic parrots, and miles of secluded beaches set against the backdrop of green mountains. This island has changed hands 14 times since its first recorded discovery in 1499.

The capital of the United States Virgin Islands and the most popular cruise port in the Caribbean, Charlotte Amalie offers beautiful natural scenery, fascinating history, and a wealth of duty-free shopping.

Cochin, also Kochi, city and seaport, southwestern India, in Kerala State, on the Arabian Sea. Cochin, the most important port on the Malabar Coast, is the center of coconut oil production in the state; products made of coconuts are the chief items in the city’s export trade.

Formerly known as Ceylon, Sri Lanka means “Resplendent Land,” an apt description for this beautiful island. Its capital, Colombo, has been a major trading port for centuries, and the island itself was colonized first by the Portuguese, then the Dutch and finally the British. Yet despite splendid examples of colonial architecture, Sri Lanka has always remained Oriental in spirit, with colorful bazaars, dancing elephants, graceful women in saris, and many Buddhist shrines and temples. Sri Lanka is located 31 miles off the southern tip of India, with Colombo located on the western coast.

Cooktown was settled by Captain Cook in 1770 when the Endeavour boat was beached here, and is where Joseph Banks gathered 186 different species of Australian plantlife along the Endeavour River. Cooktown grew to the second largest town in Queensland after the Palmer River Gold Rush, although WWII and various cyclones almost destroyed Cooktown.

Webber Esplanade is to the north of the town and starts at the tip of Grassy Peak, where you will find the Powder Magazine which is the oldest brick building in Far North Queensland. There is a great view from the headland as well as from the top of the hill and it makes a pleasant walk back towards town, along the Endeavour River. Once in town, the road turns into Charlotte Street and is where you will find a bank, some cafes and restaurants, many shops, a post office and several pubs. There are also some memorials and monuments along Charlotte Street, for Captain Cook and other explorers.

Costa Maya is a low impact tourism zone, part of the Yucatan Peninsula, it is the southern coastline of the State of Quintana Roo, and the farthest most reach of the Western Caribbean. Costa Maya is one of the last coastal frontiers in Mexico to be developed. There are acres of coastal land with absolutely no development, sprinkled with odd fishing villages and small towns.With its’ new cruise ship dock, Costa Maya is now being promoted as a cruise ship destination in the western Caribbean. To get to the Costa Maya area, visitors can fly to the international airports of Cancun, Merida, or Cozumel. From these airports, there are regular connections to Chetumal International Airport. In Chetumal one can rent cars or take a taxi or bus to Costa Maya.

Do you like fish? Not necessarily to eat. Just to look at. Because if you do, you’re going to love Cozumel, Mexico,where sheltered coral reefs make this one of the best snorkeling areas in the world. Abundant and colorful marine life turn the sea into a visual fantasy.

Of course, you might even love it if all you like are beautiful secluded beaches, great shopping, and authentic Mexican cuisine. That’s the deal with Cozumel; there’s a lot to like.

Darwin, capital of the Northern Territory, N Australia, on an inlet of the Timor Sea. It is the chief port and administrative center for the sparsely settled tropical north coast. Called Palmerston until 1911, it was renamed for Charles Darwin, who discovered its site in 1839. It has been largely rebuilt since a devastating typhoon in 1974. Kakadu National Park is nearby.

Dubai is the Arabian Peninsula’s most cosmopolitan city-and the second largest of the seven United Arab Emirates. Unlike other Gulf statess, Dubai’s thriving economy is fueled not by oil, but by trade, which may explain its laissez-faire attitude. And if you like to shop this is THE PLACE, especially if you’re in search of electronics, gold, antiques and carpets. The souks in Dubai and nearby Sharjah vary from tiny stalls to covered malls. Don’t forget to haggle-it’s expected. More pastimes in Dubai are a dhow excursion on the tidal creek which winds through the city, a game of golf on the only real grass links in the Emirates, a tour of Sharjah, an evening safari inot the desert for a barbeque and traditional dancing and a thrilling demonstration of theancient Arabic art of falconing.

Fakarava’s immense lagoon has several black pearl farms, idyllic white sand beaches and is peppered with small islands, homes to many breeds of nesting birds oblivious to visitors..The passes provide endless and exciting discoveries for snorkelers and scuba divers in dream-like purple water where 150 foot visibility is the norm.

Adventure and discovery are mixed with breathtaking scenery, romance, and the warm, sensual trade winds in the coconut palms. If you need to de-stress, this is the place. Snorkeling there is the best of anywhere, and Scuba diving in this tropical aquarium couldn’t be easier: when the tide is even, simply jump off the restaurant deck into this purple dream, sit yourself at the bottom ( 80″ ) of the pass, and watch the crowd go by, just like in a Paris cafe. Except you are in 80 degree water with 180″ visibility. And the crowd is made-up of tropical fish who come to check you out, including many huge napoleon wrasses, white-tip, black-tip and (harmless) grey sharks and sometimes manta rays.

Another cool dive – or snorkling – excursion is to Sane’s famous black pearl farm where you can see the large oysters suspended in mid-lagoon, and if it is the right time of year, even observe the delicate procedure of graft implenting in the live oysters. For a small fee, Sane may even let you dive for your own pearl, and who knows, you may hit the jackpot!

Located in Oregon, at the mouth of the Siuslaw River. Known as the City of Rhododendrons, which explodes with vivid pink blossoms in late spring. In addition to its coastal features, fresh-water lakes and estuaries create an abundance of things to do:
~ Take a ride on a stern-wheeler or windsurf the river.
~ Explore restored shops and historic buildings in Old Town.
~ Catch a seaplane for a bird’s-eye view of the coast.
~ Visit the Fly-Fishing Museum or try your luck on the Siuslaw.
~ Tee off at Sandpines, Golf Digest’s Best New Public Course of 1993.

It’s the “Isle of Flowers” and we don’t mean Gennifer. Wild orchids, frangipani, anthurium, jade vines, flamingo flowers and hundreds of hibiscus varieties give this beautiful island its distinctive look.

A full-fledged region of France, Martinique even “feels” French. The smell of bread wafting from a bakery, the gendarmes directing the honking. Renaults, the sophisticated boutiques–it’s like Paris in the tropics.

Fujairah is a fast-growing seaport with an international airport making it a tourist attraction for the city life and natural life including beaches, mountains scenery, fortresses . . .

It’s a shame Goa comes burdened with a history of louche living, because there’s so much more to it than sun, sand and psychedelia. The allure of Goa is that it remains quite distinct from the rest of India and is small enough to be grasped and explored in a way that other Indian states are not. It’s not just the familiar remnants of European colonialism or the picture-book exoticism that make it seem so accessible, it’s the prevalence of Roman Catholicism and a form of social and political progressiveness that Westerners feel they can relate to. Although Hindus make up two-thirds of the population, the people of Goa are more liberal-minded than imperviously devout, in a way that is unmatched elsewhere in India.

Norwegian Cruise Lines was the first cruise line to acquire a private island and transform it into an exclusive paradise
for their passengers. Complete with swaying palms, sandy beaches, coral reefs, steel bands and the scent of barbeque wafting in the breeze because whenever a ship calls, it’s beach party time!

Swim, snorkel, snooze in a hammock, play volleyball, paddle boat rides, sailing, kayaking, limbo… anything you want.

Guayaquil, (gwä-yä-kêl´) city (1990 pop. 1,531,229), capital of Guayas prov., W Ecuador, on the Guayas R. near its mouth on the Gulf of Guayaquil, an inlet of the Pacific Ocean. It is Ecuador’s largest city and its chief port and manufacturing center. Founded by Sebastián de Benalcázar in 1535, it was liberated from Spain by Antonio José de Sucre in 1821, and in 1822 was the site of a meeting between Simón Bolívar and José de San Martín that determined the course of South American independence. The climate is hot and humid.

The capital of St. Barthelemy, Gustavia is purely French. Though named after a Swedish king, Gustav III, and still retaining some of its Swedish influence, the small group of inhabitants are mostly young, very chic and very French.

Havana (La Habana) is the largest city in the Caribbean and the center of all things Cuban. Despite its turbulent history, Havana suffered little damage in the wars and revolutions, and stands today much as it was built. There’s an air of faded glory about the city as big 50s and 60s American automobiles still dominate the streets and paint and plaster peel off everywhere. The city is peppered with glorious Spanish colonial architecture, much of which is under restoration. Havana has a swinging nightlife, with cinemas, historic theatres, cabarets, nightclubs and music venues that will exhaust even the most hardened campaigner.

Havana sizzles by night. The weekly Cartelera entertainment newspaper is stuffed with cinema and theatre programs, and listings of galleries, bars, nightclubs and cultural events. Much of the cinema is in English and foreign theatre groups often appear at the Teatro Nacional de Cuba. The Teatro Nacional is also a regular venue of the National Symphony Orchestra and there’s a good cafe here which is open all night for disco dancing and live salsa music. If you’d rather do the crawl, Old Havana and Vedado are a wash of bars and nightclubs. There are atmospheric hideaways and plush cabarets on almost every street, but there are a few joints to keep your eye out for. La Bodeguita del Medio off the Plaza de la Catedral is Havana’s most celebrated bar. Since Hemingway bent his elbow here, La Bodeguita has become de rigeur, and Salvador Allende, Fidel Castro, Harry Belafonte and Nat King Cole have all left their
autographs on the wall. El Floridita, another Hemingway hangout, is on the tour-bus circuit but this is where frozen daiquiris were invented in the 1920s so you might like to pay your respects. The best and biggest nightclub in Havana is the Tropicana. Each night, more than 200 stillettoed and scantily-clad beauties put on enormous headdresses and
take to the stage. The showstopper is the preposterous Dance of the Chandeliers, where a train of dancers, sporting illuminated lamps on their heads, appears on stage linked together by electrical cords.

Dressing up in Havana isn’t only about getting into the spirit of things, it’s often about getting in the front door. At all the cabarets and many of the nightclubs minimum dress requirements are strictly enforced. This means definitely no shorts or t-shirts, and preferably pants other than jeans.

“The Big Island.” There’s something pleasantly direct about the nicknamenatives use for the island of Hawaii. Of course, it’s also known as “The Orchid Isle” and “The Volcano Island,” so it’s no wonder a visitor to Hawaii finds it to be a land of wonder and beauty.

Hana is an industrial port town on the windward (rainier) side of the island, with several hotels and an airport, although the majority of the resort activity is on the Kona side of the Island.

There are snow-capped 14,038-foot peaks (Mauna Loa and Mauna Kea), vast macadamia nut plantations, as well as black lava, white coral and green olivine beaches–not to mention the fiery landscape of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.

It means “the gathering place,” and whoever named Oahu knew what he was talking about. For millions gather here every year to enjoy “the jewel city” of Honolulu, from Diamond Head and the world-famous beaches of Waikiki to the inspiring memorials of Pearl Harbor, to the only royal palace ever constructed on U.S. soil. And if you’re a board-bug, don’t
miss the legendary surfing beaches of the North Shore.

The main city on the Island is Honolulu, with Waikiki being the primarybeach and resort hotel area. Among the many popular things to do on Oahu, the Polynesian Cultural Center and Sea Life Park, on the opposite side of the Island from Honolulu, are very popular.

The Brazilian island of Ilha Grande is located off the coast of Rio de Janeiro. Although the island itself is largely undeveloped, its largest village, Vila do Abraao, has grown into a tourist hub in the last couple of decades. It is a picturesque beachfront town, where the only vehicles allowed are emergency services, and one can easily escape the high-season crowds by taking a short jaunt out of town in almost any direction into the surrounding rainforest.

Jerusalem, (je-r¡´se-lem) city (1991 est. pop. 535,000, including East Jerusalem), capital and largest city of Israel, on a high ridge W of the Dead Sea and the Jordan R. A holy city for Jews, Christians, and Muslims, Jerusalem is an administrative, cultural, and tourist center. Manufactures include cut and polished diamonds, plastics, and clothing. The eastern part of Jerusalem is the Old City; the New City, to the south and southwest, has been largely developed since the 19th cent. and is the site of the Knesset, Israel’s parliament. Archaeology indicates that Jerusalem was already settled in the 4th millennium B.C. David captured it (c.1000 B.C.) from the Jebusites (Canaanites), and after Solomon built the Temple there (10th cent. B.C.), Jerusalem became the spiritual and political capital of the Hebrews. The city fell to many conquerors, e.g., Babylonia (586 B.C.) and Rome (63 B.C.), and it was the scene of Jesus’ last ministry. The Roman emperor Titus destroyed the rebuilt (Second) Temple (A.D. 70) to punish rebellious Jews. The Muslims, who believe that Muhammad ascended to heaven from the city, treated it well after they captured it in 637. It was conquered by the Crusaders in 1099 and was recaptured (1187) by the Muslims under Saladin. Jerusalem was the capital (1922-48) of the
British mandate of Palestine.

During the Arab-Israeli Wars, the city was divided (1949-67); the Old City became part of Jordan and the New City became the capital of Israel. In 1967 Israel captured the Old City and formally annexed it. Israel reaffirmed its annexation of the Old City in 1980, an action not accepted by many nations. The Old City contains many holy places of Christianity, e.g., the Church of the Holy Sepulcher; of Islam, e.g., the Dome of the Rock (688-91); and of Judaism, e.g., the Western (or Wailing) Wall (part of the Second Temple

“Maui No Ka Oi.” If you’ve been to Maui, you’ve no doubt heard this before. It means, “Maui is the best,” and you’ll hear this clever slogan often when you visit this enchanting “Valley Isle.” Explore the old whaling town of Lahaina and nearby West Maui Mountains. There’s also Haleakala National Park, with its 10,000-foot volcano and crater. If you have a weakness for the tropics, heady nightlife and miles of perfect-tan beaches, put Maui on your must-see list. Kahului is the
main commercial center of Maui. Ten minutes away is the verdant Iao Valley and its towering rock monolith. On Maui’s eastern coast is some of Hawaii’s finest scenery – black sand beaches, isolated fishing villages, old lava flows, lovely waterfalls, dense jungle growth and lush groves of mango and monkeypod trees. Golden sand beaches and secluded coves line Maui’s western shore. Lahaina was the capital of Hawaii during its royal days and much of it has been restored as it was a century ago. Maui’s most spectacular sight is Mount Haleakala with its enormous crater large enough to hold
Manhattan. Mauians have a saying: Maui No Ka Oi, or, Maui is the Best.

Key West, (wèst) city (1990 pop. 24,832), seat of Monroe co., S Fla., on an island at the SW end of the Florida Keys, c.150 mi (240 km) from Miami, 90 mi (145 km) from Cuba. It is the southernmost city of the continental U.S., a resort and artists’ colony and fishing center. Winslow Homer painted there; Ernest Hemingway, whose home is a museum,
wrote there.

Wacky architecture, cultural contrast, call it what you will: In “KL,” as this town is widely known, it is not unusual to, say, see a modern skyscraper situated next door to a centuries-old shophouse. It’s one of the things that make Kuala Lumpur unique.

Superficially, KL may appear to be a modern Asian city of gleaming skyscrapers, but it retains much of the character and local colour which has been so effectively wiped out in cities such as Singapore. It has plenty of colonial buildings in its centre, a vibrant Chinatown with street vendors and night markets, and a bustling Little India.

The real heart of KL is Merdeka Square, the site of the city’s parades and celebrations and home to a 95m (312ft) high flagpole. In colonial days, Malaysia’s administrators used the square for cricket matches, but it was also here that Malaysia’s independence was declared in 1957. On the eastern side of the square is the moorish Sultan Abdul Samed
Building, topped by a 43m (141ft) high clocktower. KL’s magnificent railway station is built in a similar moorish style, with its full quota of minarets, cupolas, towers and arches, and may be construed as a delightful example of British colonial humour. The Petronas Towers building is less decorative but impossible to miss. It’s almost half a km (1640ft) high and is one of the tallest structures in the world.

The picturesque, striped onion-domed Masjid Jame (Friday mosque) is set in a grove of palm trees overlooking Merdeka Square and is neatly reflected in the new mirror-glass office building nearby. Just south of Jami Masjid are the teeming streets of KL’s Chinatown – a crowded, colourful area with the usual melange of signs, shops activity and noise. At night the central section is closed to traffic and becomes a brightly lit, frantic night market.

Budget hotels and hostels can be found in Chinatown and Jalan Pudu Lama. Mid-range hotels are concentrated in Chinatown and on Jalan Bukit Bintang. The night market in Chinatown is the most interesting place to eat in the evening.

Kusadasi is a charming fishing village and resort on the Turkish coast.It is also the port for the ancient ruins of Ephesus, once a city of 250,000 inhabitants. The town overlooks the most beautiful inlet of the Aegean Sea and is a pure delight for the discerning traveler.

Lima is on the Pacific coast and was founded in 1535 by Francisco Pizarro of Spain. It was considered the most important Spanish city in the Americas. Today the downtown area is a bustle of activity, the streets crowded with vendors and peasants who have moved in from the countryside. Lima has many treasures in its historical buildings and museums, especially the Gold Museum.

Luxor was built on the site of the ancient city of Thebes, and the magnificent monumental architecture and its excellent condition make Luxor one of Egypt’s greatest tourist destinations. For many hundreds of years people have been visiting the temples of Luxor, Karnak, Hetsgepsut and Ramses II. The Nile has feluccas and old barges that shuffle between the luxury hotel ships of the Hilton and Sheraton that cruise between Cairo and Aswan. Luxor Temple was built by Pharaoh
Amenophis III on the site of another Thebian temple and added to by Tutankhamun, Ramses II, Nectanebo, Alexander the Great and various Romans. Excavation work has been underway since 1885. The Temples of Karnak are a series of monuments that were the main place of worship in Thebian times, and they can be divided into the Amun Temple
Enclosure, which is the largest; the Mut Temple Enclosure on the south side; and the Montu Temple Enclosure. The Amun and Montu enclosure were once connected by canals to the Nile providing passage for sacred boats during festivals. Luxor is accessible from Cairo by buses or trains which run every day.

Resting along Andalusia’s bright Costa del Sol is the picturesque port of Malaga, birthplace of Pablo Picasso. At the Malaga Cathedral see the natural wood carvings of artist Pedro de Mena and visit the Gibralfaro Castle. Then continue on to the ancient city of Granada, high into the Sierra Nevada mountains. Here lies the spectacular Alhambra, the grand
fortress of the last Moorish rulers of Spain and one of the largest structures in the world. Inside is Isabella’s priceless collection of European paintings. The Granada Cathedral is the site where King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella are buried along with their daughter.

Manaus, (me-nous´) city (1990 est. pop. 1,114,000), NW Brazil, capital of Amazonas state, on the Rio Negro. Surrounded by jungle, it is the westernmost of Brazil’s major cities, the commercial center of the upper Amazon region, and a major river port accommodating oceangoing vessels. Founded in 1669, it grew rapidly during the rubber boom of the late 19th
cent. Since the 1970s, increased interest in development of the Amazon basin has brought Manaus new importance. Its opera house is renowned.

Mangalore is a beautiful port city in the southern most tip of the state of Karnataka. Due to its proximity to the Arabian Sea, Mangalore is incredibly picturesque, and quickly becoming a hub of activity and the fastest growing city in India.

From the quaint city of Manta, you can reach some of Ecuador’s most fascinating sights. Spend the day at Bahia de Caraquez, a popular beach resort. Or take a quick flight to the capital of Quito, a treasure trove of colonial art and architecture.

At the southern end of the state of Florida, Miami is the largest city in the State and the embarkation point for many ships that cruise the Caribbean.

Miami is known for it’s dramatic skylines, diverse cultures, gorgeous beaches, sensational nightlife, historical sites, superior shopping, and plenty of sunshine all year round!

Ah, the French Riviera…is yours for the taking, for a few hours anyway, when you leave the town of Villefranche to tour Monaco, Monte Carlo,St.-Paul-de-Vence, Cannes, and the Grand Corniche.

Monaco is one of the smallest nation’s of the World and Monte Carlo is its city with the Palace place on top of a high rock overlooking the city, the quaint port and the Meditteranean Sea. The small town and Palace area are a must. Plan to spend at least half of a day exploring the many shops along the narrow streets and enjoy the views from the Palace grounds.

Monte-Carlo was founded in 1866 during the reign of Charles III,who gave it his name. This area includes the world famous Casino, great hotels and the recently completed recreational centers consisting of the Centenaire gardens, the Larvotto beach and the Monte-Carlo Sporting Club.

Montevideo is on of South America’s major ports, and Uruguay’s only large city, with nearly half its population. It is a specious beautiful city with amazing architecture and spectacular beaches.

Moorea’s white sandy beach, clearwater lagoons, majestic palm trees and volcanic peaks make this a truely peaceful island paradise. Moorea is dedicated to tourism without all of the hustle-bustle typical of its neighboring islands. Go to Velvedere Lookout, or view the facsinating marae ruins and stone archery platforms in the Upunohu Valley, both easily accesible by moped or car.

In classic rags-to-riches fashion, Bombay grew from mud flats and marshland to the richest industral center in the country. Ten million people bustle through her streets daily. A study in contrasts, Bombay embraces Western-style skyscrapers at Nariman Point, historic building from the last century’s “Golden Period” around Bombay Fort, the festival atmosphere of contortionists and vendors at Chowpatty Beach and the reverence of numerous cultures and creeds. Bombay is India’s Hollywood–don’t miss a tour of the movie studios.

Muscat (mùs´kàt´) or Maskat, city (1993 pop. 329,842), capital of Oman, SE Arabia, on the Gulf of Oman. It has a fine harbor, dominated by two 15th-16th-centtury Portuguese forts, and exports dates, fish, and mother-of-pearl. Portugal held it from 1508 to 1648, and Persian princes until 1741, when it became Oman’s capital.

In this fertile region of vineyards, fruit orchard and sheep farms, Napier stands out elegantly as one of the loveliest cities in New Zealand. Completely rebuilt after the 1931 Hawke’s Bay earthquake, it now boasts one of the most complete collections of Art Deco buildings opposite oceanfront Marine Parade. Nearby Cape Kidnappers is one of the world’s only mainland nesting area for the gannet offering sanctuary to 15,000 of the large sea birds.

“Arg!” as they used to say in pirate days, Nassau, Bahamas is one nice place. And one whose naturally protected harbor made it a center of activity, with privateers continually attacking gold-laden Spanish galleons.

Today, millions of tourists come for the climate–not just the weather, but the friendliness and charm that make the Bahamas special. And speaking of specials, there are few places that promise better bargain hunting–particularly if you’re in the market for something handcrafted from straw.

Nuva Hiva, with 127 sq. miles of surface area, is the largest island in the Marquesas archipelago. Its beauty from the sea or from high above the islands is truly breathtaking.

The 2,100 inhabitants live in Taiohae, Taipivai, Hatiheu, Aakapa, Pua, Houmi, Anaho and Hakaui, where they work for the government, the community, Catholic church or school system, or for themselves chopping copra high in the mountains, fishing, raising cattle and other livestock, or sculpting bowls and platters or making Marquesan ceremonial clubs, tiki’s and ukuleles.

Taiohae is a pleasant village bordering the sea. It is the administrative, economic, educational and health center of the Marquesas Islands. Here are the French and Territorial administrators, the government buildings, gendarmerie, post office, general hospital, town hall, Air Tahiti office, banks, schools, well-stocked stores and shops. Sundays and holidays are just as busy as any work day, when the villagers drive back and forth along the sea front road in their 4-wheel drive
vehicles, calling out to their friends, and stopping to join the on-going game of petanque or French bowls, played under the flowering flamboyant tree in the front of the town hall.

They called it worthless. That’s right-the Spanish explorer Alonzo de Ojeda, who claimed Aruba for Spain in 1499, said the island wasn’t worth colonizing. What could he have been thinking? With beautiful beaches, fine snorkeling and watersports, today’s visitors to Aruba enjoy fabulous nightlife, delicious local seafood, and the genuine friendliness of Aruba’s unique population.

The Spanish may not have been impressed, but the Dutch were. Arriving in force in 1634, they’ve entwined their culture, language and cuisine with that of the natives, giving the island a flavor all its own.

The island is now home to fabulous resorts, a golf course, a casino and outstanding shopping. The scuba and snorkeling in the clear waters is world famous.

The Panama Canal was constructed more than 80 years ago, but it is still a marvel of engineering. The canal is 51 miles long with locks that raise a ship 85 feet at the Continental Divide and return to sea level in Caribbean Sea or Pacific Ocean.

Tahiti, (te-hê´tê) island (1988 pop. 115,820), 402 sq mi (1,041 sq km), S Pacific, in the Society Islands, French Polynesia. The capital is Papeete. It relies on tourism and produces vanilla, fruits, and copra. Settled by Polynesians (14th cent.), it was visited in the 18th century by Capt. James Cook and Lt. William Bligh. It became French in 1843. Gauguin painted his best-known works there.

Vying with Ho Chi Minh City for the title of “Pearl of the Orient,” Penang is renowned for its natural beauty, charm, and graceful colonial architecture.

It was established in 1786 by the British as the first trading post east of India. Today, Penang’s historic Georgetown is filled with many fine examples of British architecture.

And if architecture doesn’t do it for you, Penang is also home to the best beaches in Malaysia. Finally, visitors can have a good time just pronouncing the Chayamangkalaram Temple. Whether a first time visitor or frequent traveller to Penang, this exceptional island will captivate you the minute you set foot on its soil. Apart from enjoying beautiful beaches, culture and sights, nothing is far more breathtaking than looking at the sunrise as a new day in Penang dawns.

Penang is food paradise to anyone who has experienced a taste of Penang’s simple yet sumptous galore. This amazing island has always been associated with a rich culture and a place where food is much appreciated by locals and foreigners. From exquisitely prepared sea food to mouth-watering hawkers’ fare, it’s a must to relish every bit of everything, when in Penang.

The capital of Saint Maarten, the Dutch side of this two nation island, Philipsburg is located on the isthmus between Groot Baai(Great Bay) and the Salt Pond. The city was founded in 1733 as a free port and is now the home to outstanding duty free shopping, casinos and many hotels and resorts. Mullet Bay Resort and Golf Club is nearby.

Everything for the perfect vacation–Thailand’s largest island has it all. Magnificent palm-fringed beaches and bays. Island dotted waters. And some of the best seafood in the kingdom. There’s also exciting nightlife, and activities including visiting pearl farms, seeing the exotic aquarium denizens, and taking a trip to the outlying islands of Phang Nga Bay.

The remote Azores islands lie 900 miles west of the coast of Portugal and 2,110 miles east of New York. Ponta Delgada’s stunning Portuguese architecture and luxuriant, flower-filled parks make walking through this city a joy.

Venture out of the city and prepare yourself for some of the most heartbreakingly beautiful scenery you have ever witnessed. Dramatic rocky cliffs descend to pristine bays, where you may find a virtually deserted stretch of gorgeous beach. Extinct craters are filled with turquoise waters, and surrounded by gardens of hydrangeas and greenery that thrive in the rich volcanic soil.

Capital of Tinidad

Stanley is a miniature capital, where the masts of old sailing ships stick up haphazardly out of the little harbour and the government house is a little more than a medium-sized victorian home. There is little to remind visitors of the Falklands war.

Be sure to visit the post office to purchase the extraordinary Falklands commemorative stamps. Many of them depict the Island’s rich variety of wildlife. Unhampered by human encroachment, the Falklands’ huge populations of penguins, black-browed albatross, sea lions, fur seals amd elephant seals are totally unafraid of visitors.

Porto Belo city was a Spanish navy base that attracted pirates from many different nations. Today is one of the most important ecological areas under governmental protection, and is a favored destination of many sea biologists.

Porto Belo glistens before our eyes due to its beauty. The intense green Atlantic vegetation and its natural beaches seduce the visitor like the song of the Sirens.

The cultural makeup of Porto Belo is very diversified and the fishing activity influences the handicraft works. Other kinds of works are also made by the local artisans such as ceramics, wood paintings, nautical pictures, leather works, boat replica and others.

An important handicraft that deserves notice and has an Azorian influence are the famous bobbin lace made by a ladies group that meets in the traditional local mother’s club.

The Porto Belo gastronomy is based on the diverse sea species found off its shores, that offers a large variety of delicious dishes. This dishes are usually accompanied by manioc flour gravy and the famous “Cachaça do Pedro Alemão” a type of alcoholic beverage produced in Alto do Perequê a very well known area of the city.

The Chilean Archipelago is a spectacularly beautiful wilderness region very much like Alaska’s Inside Passage – but with its own unique collection of fascinating flora and fauna. Mist-shrouded islands, deeply-cleft fjords, hanging glaciers and the snow-covered peaks of the Andes create a magnificent setting for hundreds of bird species including black-necked swans, flightless steamer ducks and Andean condors. Not far from Puerto Chacabuco is Coihaique, capital of the Aisen Province. In a thrilling drive through the Reserva Nacional Rio Simpson, watch cascading waterfalls tumble over steep canyon walls.

Puerto Montt is the gateway to Chile’s Lake District, an Alpine region noted for its crisp air and breathtaking mountain scenery. Gaze at the pristine beauty of towering Mount Osomo; view the rushing falls and rapids of Petrohue; or enjoy a calm interlude at lake Todos Los Santos.

Puerto Quetzal is our gateway to the natural wonders and ruins in this untouristed nation. Visit Tikal, once the most resplendent city in the Mayan world. Tour Antigua Guatemala with its rumbling volcanoes. Or go in search of the rare quetzal, the spectacular but shy bird with iridescent feathers that cannot live in captivity. So revered by Guatemalans, its graceful image appears on the country’s national coins called “quetzals.”

From here, planes fly to the White Continent: Antarctica. Spectacularly situated at Chile’s southern end, La Cruz Hill affords commanding views of the Straits of Magellan. There is a Patagonian Museum to see, the City Museum run by Salesian Friars, a cemetery graced with cypress groves and ornate mausoleums and, naturally, penguins.

A world famous beach resort for the international jet set, Punta del Este has miles of white sand beaches and dunes. The high season here is mid-December through March, when the International Film Festival and other events attract thousands of people.

Puntarenas is a scenic 90-minute drive along the Pan American Highway from San Jose. With its boardwalk, restaurants and tiny shops this coffee-shipping town on the tip of the Nicoya Peninsula is one part idyllic Costa Rican get away, one part Jersey shore.

Recife, (rè-sê´fe) chief city (1990 est. pop. 1,375,000) of NE Brazil,a port on the Atlantic Ocean; also known as Pernambuco. Cut by many waterways, it lies partly on the mainland and partly on an island and is often called the Brazilian Venice. It is an important transportation center; its economy is based on the processing and export of cotton,
sugar, and coffee. Industrial products include glass, ceramics, pharmaceuticals, and synthetic rubber. Founded (1548) by the Portuguese, Recife was briefly held by the British (1595) and the Dutch (1630-54).

Rio de Janeiro, (rê´o dâ zhe-nâr´o) city (1990 est. pop. 6,042,000), SE Brazil, capital of Rio de Janeiro state, former capital of Brazil, on Guanabara Bay of the Atlantic Ocean. Brazil’s second largest city and principal port, Rio (as it is popularly called) has diverse manufactures and handles much of the nation’s foreign trade. It is predominantly a modern city, with a new airport and subway system. A cosmopolitan city, long the cultural center of Brazil, it is also its greatest tourist
attraction. Rio is celebrated for its pre-Lenten carnival and for its beautiful natural setting within an amphitheater of low mountains. Noted landmarks are Sugar Loaf Mt., which dominates the harbor, and Corcovado peak, with its colossal statue of Jesus. Founded by French Huguenots in 1555, the city was taken by Portugal in the 1560s. It replaced Bahia (now Salvador) as Brazil’s capital in 1763 and was supplanted by Brasília in 1960.

Roatan is the largest of the eight islands known collectively as Las Islas de la Bahia (Bay Islands). Brilliant clear blue waters and palm fringed beaches are cooled by gentle trade winds. An extensive reef system offers the most spectacular diving and snorkeling in the Western hemisphere. After a day spent under-water, take time to check out shopping and beaches topside.

Rome wasn’t built in a day…but you can tour it in just over 10 hours. A teeming anthill of humanity and antiquity intermingled with awful traffic jams, Rome grew up on the Tiber (“Fiume Tevere”) among seven low hills that rise from the river’s soggy eastern banks. It’s a city of many peeling layers of history, of which the bottom layer–that of the earliest Roman centuries–is the most interesting and still astonishingly whole. The hub of this layer is the Palatine Hill, the Forum, the Colosseum and the Circus Maximus.

On the western bank is the Citta Vaticana, the independent papal city where the Pope blesses pilgrims from all over the world. Neighboring Trastevere (“Across the Tiber”) is a mix of Roman, Greek and Jewish subcultures, great for little restaurants and nightlife. Further north on the other bank is “vecchia Roma,” medieval Rome of the Pantheon and Piazza Navona; Renaissance Rome is centered south of the Corso Vittorio Emanuele. Commercial Rome is the city of the Via del Corso, the Piazza del Popolo, the controversial Victor Emmanuel monument and finally the Stazione Termini, the nexus for all trains and roads from Rome.

The name means Sunday, and that’s the day of the week Columbus sailed by (it was easier to name things back then). This Windward Island (maybe it was windy that particular Sunday) remains much as it was 500 years ago: a pristine and unspoiled paradise for nature lovers.

The earth hisses, mud boils, geyers shoot violently into the air. Teeming with thermal wonders, Rotorua is one of the country’s most spectacular sites. The area is situated on a volcanic fault line and has been inhabited by the Maori since the 14th century. While most live in Western-style residences, they continue to use the thermal waters for everything from cooking traditional Hangi feast to heating and washing. Woodcarving is taught to young apprentices at Rotorua’s Maori Arts and Crafts Institute.

Salaverry, gateway to Trujillo, retains much of its colonial charm in the form of old churches and balconied homes.

San Diego, (dê-â´go) city (1990 pop. 1,110,549; met. area 2,498,016), seat of San Diego co., S Calif., on San Diego Bay. The city is the second largest in California and the sixth largest in the U.S. Its excellent natural harbor has made it a fishing and shipping port, and a major naval center. Aerospace, electronics, shipbuilding, biotechnology, and other industries are important. Tourism and convention business are large factors in the economy. Explored and claimed by Spain in 1542, it
was the site of the first of Fr. Junípero Serra’s missions and a historic fort, the Presidio (both 1769). The area has many other historic sites, including the Cabrillo National Monument. San Diego is also a cultural, medical, oceanographic, and research center, and its aquatic park and enormous zoo are well known. From 1988 to 1995 the America’s Cup sailing races were held at San Diego.

San Francisco one of the nation’s cultural centers. Founded by the Spanish in 1776 as Yerba Buena, it was taken and renamed by the Americans in 1846. The California gold rush of 1848 led to great growth; with the arrival of newcomers from all over the world in the late 19th century the city took on a cosmopolitan air.

A gracious, picturesque city with a mild climate, it is famous for its individuality. Notable features include its cable cars, which carry passengers on its steep hills; the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge (opened 1936) and Golden Gate Bridge (opened 1937); Chinatown; Fisherman’s Wharf; Telegraph Hill; the mansions of Nob Hill; the opera house; symphony hall (1980); the Yerba Buena arts and gardens complex; and numerous institutions of learning.

Located on the eastern side of the Andes, north of Santiago, this was one of the earliest Spanish towns, founded in 1562.

Home to fabulous Mayan ruins, Santo Tomas de Castilla conceal the mysteries of the lost world. Walk the stone pathway at the Quirigua National Park past intricately carved stellae and zoomorphisms. Explore Tikal, where an enigmatic jungle plaza is flanked by 7 great stone temples. Or venture into Honduras to explore the ruins at Copan, often called the “Paris of the Mayan World” because of its artistic flair.

Singapore, officially Republic of Singapore, republic (1995 est. pop. 2,890,000), c.240 sq mi (620 sq km), SE Asia, S of the Malay Peninsula, comprising Singapore Island and about 60 islets. There is no administrative distinction between the country and Singapore city, where the government and port is located. Singapore Island is largely low-lying and has a tropical climate. It is almost entirely urbanized and densely populated; there is a remnant rain forest in the Bukit Timah reserve. Singapore is one of the world’s great commercial centers, and its citizens enjoy one of the highest standards of living in Asia. Its port, at Keppel Harbor, is one of the world’s largest and busiest. The economy is supported primarily by manufacturing, service industries, and trade; shipbuilding is also important. Agriculture plays a minor role, and the country imports most of its food. The population is mainly Chinese; Malays and Indians constitute large minorities. Buddhism, Islam, Hinduism, and Christianity are the major religions. Malay, Chinese, Tamil, and English are the official languages.

Come back to Sorrento and “O sole mio” are probably two of the most famous songs in the world. Amidst the colour and noise of all the small towns fringing the Bay of Naples, Sorrento is a haven of peace and quiet with its orange groves and in its associations with history and art. This small town is built on a cliff top that plummets down into the limpid blue sea and looks across to Capri. Torquato Tasso was born here, and the Tarantella is danced here as nowhere else. The Correale Museum is well worth a visit: it is beautifully situated and has a rich collection of furniture, paintings and porcelains.

The capital city of Grenada is St. George’s, which is situated on a sheltered bay in the south-western part of the mainland. Together with its suburbs, it comprises one-third of the population. The charm and beauty of the subtle blend of old Georgian and modern architecture is unsurpassed in the Caribbean.

Thirty seven sandy beaches, sparkling Caribbean seas, soothing trade winds, fine dining and incredible duty free shopping combine to make St.Martin/St.Maarten a true vacationers paradise.

Destination St. Martin is proud to represent a number of smaller hotels on the French side of the island; generally not the type of places found in the glossy tourist brochures but rather more intimate yet immaculate properties which allow the visitor to experience true island life. Accommodations are available on the beach in the beautiful French village of Grand Case, in Nettle Bay near the town of Marigot and at popular Orient Beach.

The smallest island in the world ever to have been partitioned between two different nations, St. Martin/St. Maarten has been shared by the French and the Dutch in a spirit of neighborly cooperation and mutual friendship for almost 350 years.

The border is almost imperceptible and people cross back and forth without ever realizing they are entering a new country. The only marker is a monument between Union Road and Bellevue, testifying to centuries of peaceful cohabitation and the treaty that made the arrangement possible.

All the same, each side has managed to retain much of the distinctiveness of its own national culture. The French tend to emphasize comfort and elegance. The beaches are secluded, the luxury resorts provide lavish accommodations, and the restaurants offer some of the finest dining experiences anywhere in the Caribbean. The latest French fashions can be found in many of the shops, and the smell of fresh croissants and pastries mixes everywhere with the spicy aromas of West Indian cooking. Small caf’e9s and charming bistros add a decidedly Gaelic and cosmopolitan flair to the place. On the whole the atmosphere remains very relaxed.

Suez Canal is an artificial waterway running north to south across the Isthmus of Suez in northeastern Egypt; it connects the Mediterranean Sea with the Gulf of Suez, an arm of the Red Sea. The canal provides a shortcut for ships operating between both European and American ports and ports located in southern Asia, eastern Africa, and Oceania.

A booming city of over 3 million, Surabaya offers many good hotels, shopping centers and entertainment. Its well stocked zoological garden include several species of Indonesian fauna like “orang utan”, komodo dragon and a collection of nocturnal animals.

On Cape Breton Island, it is not uncommon to find Gaelic spoken and to hear the plaintive call of bagpipes. For it is here that the Scots found a land that most resembled their own beautiful home. Follow the winding Cabot Trail around the coast of Cape Breton, one of the most dramatic drives in North America. On Bras d’Or lake, you may spot one of the 250 pairs of bald eagles nesting in the treetops. Visit the Alexander Graham Bell Museum, where the inventor spent his summers. Explore the star-shaped French fortress of Louisbourg, conquered by the British in 1760. Or sample the rugged life of the coal miner at the Miner’s Museum.

It’s only natural that the seasoned traveler should make Taormina their favorite retreat. With a backdrop of snow-capped Mt. Etna, it is Sicily’s most beautiful city. Listen to echoes of the immortals in Taormina’s acoustically perfect Greek theatre.

Tortola is the largest island, located in the Virgin Islands, first settled by the Dutch, and is now under British rule. Warm temperatures prevail most of the year, typically staying at about 75 to 85 degrees during the day. Visit Mount Sage, the Virgin Islands’ highest peak. This destination is also known for its wonderful beaches, and a few are accessible only by boat.

Soper’s Hole in West End is a popular center of activity yet still retains a quaint charm for a busy marina, offering many amenities.

Situated on the southern shore of the island of Tierra del Fuego, Ushuaia is the southernmost town in Argentina. It faces the Beagle Channel, where Captain Fitzroy and Charles Darwin encountered the now extinct Yaghan Indians. In the magnificent Parque Nacional Tierra del Fuego, discover hanging glaciers, verdant beech forests, towering mountains, bottomless sphagnum bogs, crystal clear lakes and spectacular rushing rivers. And look for Andean condors, albatross, upland geese, guanaco, beavers and maybe a puma or two.

Curled up around its harbor, Wellington cascades down pine-clad hills stretching to the horizon. Antique timber homes in a rainbow of pastels cling to the wooded hillsides, and Victorian architecture lives comfortably beside skyscrapers.

One of the busiest ports in the Caribbean, Willemstad is the capital city of Curacao. Since 1997 the city centre, with its unique architecture and harbour entry, has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Other attractions include fine shopping and elegant dining options in the Punda district, almost 40 beautiful beaches, superb snorkeling and scuba diving opportunities, several casinos and more.

Zihuatanejo is located 12.4 miles Southeast of Ixtapa.