|
 |
| Seven miles of perfect beaches welcome the seagoing traveler to Ft. Lauderdale. Renowned for sun and water sports, the city also offers fine shopping along the Riverwalk and a perfect jumping-off point for a tour of the Everglades. |
| |
Take a stroll on Downtown Ft. Lauderdale's Riverwalk. It's the center for shopping, dining, arts festivals of all kinds, and a lively nightlife.
|
Just about any water sport imaginable is available along Ft. Lauderdale's seven miles of white sandy beaches. From waterskiing and boating to fishing and diving, it's a true water sports paradise.
|
A Fort Lauderdale historic residence, the Bonnet House is an impressive estate filled with native southern Floridian plants and imported tropical varietals, including an extensive orchid collection.
|
|
|
|
|
| If you think you've seen everything, come explore the kunuku, a Caribbean style outback terrain unique to the Netherlands Antilles. Here nature serves up prickly cactus where iguanas feel at home. And the offshore waters shimmer like a million aquamarine gemstones. |
| |
Explore the unique ecology of this national reserve and discover an abundace of cacti, "divi-divi" trees and iguanas. |
|
|
|
| Its wonderful climate and crystal-clear waters make Curaçao (pronounced CURE-ah-sow) a typical island in the Caribbean, but its fascinating architecture, floating market, pontoon bridge and secluded bays set it apart from the rest. The architecture and ambience are shaped by influences from all over the globe. Latin style, African heritage and European cultivation meet Dutch tradition with an alluring Caribbean twist. |
| |
At the Animal Encounters Lagoon, swim with the fish! The enclosed basin allows you to observe a large variation of fish up close.
|
A World Heritage Site, it's also the island's capital and only city. Explore its narrow streets, lined with 17th and 18th century Dutch colonial buildings that have their own distinct Caribbean influence, seen in the colorful verandas, porches and fretwork.
|
This popular aquarium was built so visitors can view marine life in a natural setting without disturbing the offshore reefs. On display are more than 400 species of fish, crabs, sea lions, sharks, anemones, sponges, and corals. |
|
|
|
| Dutch influence still lingers on Aruba as part of the Netherlands' Antilles until independence in 1986. This balmy Caribbean island is a study in contrasts. Its arid interior is dotted with cactus and windswept divi-divi trees while secluded coves and sandy beaches form its coast. Aruba's long and colorful heritage is reflected in its dialect. Called Papiamento, it's a combination of Spanish, French, Portuguese, Dutch, African and English. |
| |
Tour the colorful Dutch-colonial buildings that grace this island's capital.
|
These massive diorite boulders comprise this fascinating rock formation.
|
Aruba's enduring surf carved this bridge from the island's coral. |
|
|
|
| Barbados is a spectacular Caribbean getaway with plenty of British appeal and where cricket is still the national pastime. This tropical island nation offers awesome natural wonders, a fascinating and diverse history, and duty-free shopping beyond compare. |
| |
This beautiful phenomenon of nature features colossal stalactites and stalagmites, plus crystal clear streams of water that fall into emerald green pools.
|
For a turtle's eye view of underwater wonders, go kayaking, snorkeling or scuba diving in Turtle Bay or take a submarine odyssey aboard the Atlantis for an deep-sea adventure.
|
See some of the island's rarest tropical ferns, heliconias and cacti. Or go to an orchid farm and wander the meandering paths abundant with Phalaenopsis, Cattlyeas and Dendrobium orchids. |
|
|
|
St. Vincent and the Grenadines are considered off the beaten path of the Caribbean Islands, but it is the lush beauty, rugged coastline and rushing waterfalls that attract visitors to this volcanic island. The island'
s distinct West Indian flair combines with British customs and Gallic culture, mostly seen through the music, sports, cuisine and cultivation of its people. |
|
The colonial buildings and cobblestone streets are evidence of this modern market town's past. The area along Bay and Bedford streets bustles with markets selling fish, vegetables, fruits, spices, and other island goods.
|
The oldest botanical gardens in the West Indies, established in 1765 as a quarantine for medicinal plants bound for England. Some of the trees are more than 200 years old.
|
Majestic La Soufriere Volcano offers panoramic views and the waters from this dormant volcano feed the magnificent Falls of Baleine, which cascades 60 feet into a large pool of water, perfect for swimming. |
|
|
|
|
| Dive into British naval history with the occupation of Antigua in 1784, and discover today's key attractions of this popular resort. The coral reef that thwarted enemy ships is now a diver's paradise. The winding coastline, once difficult to navigate, is now miles of sandy, secluded beaches and coves. On shore and off, Antigua is one of the Caribbean's best islands for spectacular sand-and-sun fun. |
| |
This historic colonial observation post that protected the naval base offers dramatic views of the English Harbor, as far across the Caribbean to Montserrat and Guadeloupe. On weekends, barbeques, rum punch, and live steel band and reggae music accompany the view.
|
Explore the marina from where Lord Admiral Nelson, Britain's most famous 18th century naval commander, led his fleet to key victories. Then, stroll the faithfully restored Nelson's Dockyard Village with its Georgian-style buildings, heritage museum, gift shops and quaint boutiques.
|
Sail to this pristine preserve and enjoy the picturesque coastline. Before, it attracted scavengers to its shipwrecked shores, now it is home to one of the region's most significant bird sanctuaries and a variety of tropical foliage. |
|
|
|
|
| It's the calm turquoise waters of the Caribbean that command attention in St. Thomas -- home to both pirates' legends and tropical fish for centuries. And there's no shortage of ways to explore the island. Choose your vessel to discover these warm waters, from kayak and catamaran to yacht, turbo-charged jet boat or breathing observation bubble. |
| |
Located on the ridge of mountains that runs the length of St. Thomas, Skyline Drive offers magnificent views of the British Virgin Islands, the city of Charlotte Amalie and the harbor.
|
This capital of the U.S. Virgin Islands was named after the Queen of Denmark. Excellent duty-free markets make it one of the best places in the Caribbean to shop for local handicrafts and goods from around the world.
|
This cable car ride ends at Paradise Point, an observation deck where frozen specialty drinks called Bushwackers, a creamy blend of liqueurs with whipped cream and nutmeg, are as famous as the view. |
|
|
|
|
| The tiny island of Eleuthera in the Bahamas is home to the private beach party hosted exclusively for Princess guests. A full day of fun in the sun offers something for every member of the family from snorkeling, kayaking, sailing and floating to lingering over drinks and a delicious barbecue. |
| |
Princess Cruises' private beach serves up a good time, including a coral reef with schools of tropical fish, a special area dedicated to children's activities, water sports equipment, relaxing music, bar facilities, and lunch!
|
Hit the beach and clear waters with snorkeling gear or a floating mattress. Join a basketball game or the action around the volleyball court. Check out the seaboards, aqua bikes, Hobie Cat sailboats, Sunfish sailboats, paddle wheelers, Banana Boats or transparent hull kayaks at the water sports pier. Climb the Crow's Nest Tower for panoramic views, or shop for local handicrafts.
|
Three bars and live music compliment lunch and the authentic Bahamian barbeque on the beach. Feast on hamburgers, chicken, bratwurst, salads, and fresh fruit. Water, tea and lemonade are available at the picnic area for no additional cost, and a full staff of drink servers is on hand to serve cocktails and soda. |
|
|
|
|