Sprawling between the mountains and the beaches, Los Angeles is quintessential California. Whether your taste runs to fashionable Beverly Hills, the mega-entertainment of the movie studios, or the sizzle of homestyle Mexican food on Olvera Street, the city of angels is worth exploring.

Sail past Los Arcos, the soaring rock archway at the extreme southern tip of Baja California that guards Cabo's perfect harbor. This idyllic bay once sheltered treasure ships from the Orient, and pirate brigs bent on those treasures. Now Cabo caters to an international vacation set, and has a strong artistic tradition famous for its black-coral jewelry.

Whitewashed villas ring magnificent Acapulco Bay, forming an unforgettable spectacle. View Mexico's premier Pacific playground from the scenic highway above the harbor, then stop to enjoy Acapulco's most famous attraction: the daredevil cliff-divers of La Quebrada, who pray at a nearby chapel, then plunge from the 130-foot-high cliffs.

Puerto Quetzal has become the destination of choice for historians interested in looking at ancient Mayan ruins. The ancient city of Tikal is nearby, and its ruins are remarkably well preserved. Once you've seen the ruins, take it easy along Guatemala's Pacific shore. The beaches here attract Guatemalans from all over the country.

...The port of Manta is the busiest fishing port on earth.The Museo del Banco Central is a fantastic museum ...Manta's beaches are spacious as well as beautiful, and are home to a wide array of wildlife.There are a few truly great restaurants in Manta, and the nightlife is fantastic.

Guayaquil is a port for Quito, the beautiful capital of Ecuador. As you stroll the cobbled streets of the city called "Queen of the Andes," rich legacies of art, history and magnificent Spanish colonial architecture surround you. Or, experience the natural Eden of the fabled Galapagos, Darwin's living laboratory, on a special land tour.

This is the port for Trujillo, the "Lordly City," whose elegant mansions and churches reflect the aristocracy of the Spanish colonial era. Here you may opt for a thrilling excursion to Chan-Chan, an immense and magnificent enclave that since A.D. 1300 has been the center of the sophisticated Chim culture.

Santiago is a city bursting with life and passion.The combination of European and Spanish influences complements each other wonderfully in this city that features mountain ranges on both sides.The Andes Mountains are found to the east, and the coastal mountains are to the west of this gorgeous valley known as Santiago. There are a number of fabulous plazas, beautiful buildings, and glorious sights in Santiago. The Huerfanos and Ahumada malls are great for shopping, and be sure to bring your appetite, because the restaurants are spectacular in this area.If you start at the Plaza Italia, you can walk all over the city, seeing virtually everything.Walking in Santiago is the best way to explore, especially when you take breaks to enjoy a picnic lunch in one of the beautiful parks.

Evocative of Switzerland, Chile's lake district is noted for its pristine, almost Alpine scenery and bracing climate. Visit Lake Llanquihue (pronounced "Yankee-way"), and explore the rugged coastline leading to Ensenada. Marvel at a Fuji-like volcano, Mount Osorno, which rises to a height of 8,500 feet. View the rushing falls and turbulent rapids of Petrohue and cruise the blue-green waters of placid Lake Todos Los Santos. Taste Chilean country specialties and enjoy folklore entertainment at a rustic hosteria.

Located within the Straits of Magellan, Punta Arenas is proud of being a frontier whaling town. Conveying the flavor of a Northern European seaport, mansions show that some early settlers made fortunes here. Tour the scenic landscapes of Patagonia, with its myriad of wildlife and breathtaking views. Or fly in a chartered airplane over the White Continent of Antarctica.

The world's southernmost city, Ushuaia overlooks Beagle Channel, named after the ship that took Charles Darwin to the bottom of the world. Founded just over one hundred years ago, this rustic town is situated amidst incredible snowcapped mountains, dramatic waterfalls, massive glaciers, and a forest known for its red foliage. Tierra del Fuego, the "Land of Fire," twelve miles to the west of Ushuaia, is known for its glacial landscape and its national park, which is a bird-watcher's paradise.

This charming capital city, with its broad boulevards and beautiful parks, will entice you to explore the coastline. You'll also want to visit the Parque Batille y Ordonez, honoring the Father of Uruguay, and to see La Carreta-The Oxcart-a monument sculpted by Bellini.

Latin America's most sophisticated city, dubbed the "Paris of South America," invites you to stroll along broad, tree-lined boulevards to the picturesque Plaza San Martin. Tour the dazzling Teatro Colon, one of the world's greatest opera houses, and the tomb of Evita Peron. Perhaps you would enjoy a dinner ashore, followed by a performance of the Tango or an optional excursion into the pampas to visit an estancia (ranch) with traditional gaucho hospitality.

Santos is the port for Sao Paulo, the largest city in South America and the economic heart and soul of Brazil. Originally built as a Jesuit mission in the 1500's, the city's towering skyscrapers and a bustling population of 11 million now lend it the air of a subtropical New York.

Undoubtedly the highlight of everyone's South American experience, glittering Rio is a city that enchants mind, body and soul. Radiant beaches, like Ipanema and Copacabana, stretch like bejeweled arcs around the city's perimeter. The monumental 120-foot statue of Christ the Redeemer towers over Rio atop Corcovado Mountain. Take a cable car up Sugarloaf Mountain for stunning panoramic views of the mountains, beaches and skyline. Visit world-renowned nightclubs where samba bands and disco dancers jump all night long.

Known as the "Venice of Brazil," lovely Recife is built on islands and connected by bridges. The tropical city is graced with churches from its Portuguese colonial past, with their frescoes and bright tiles. Browse the teeming market, spend the day at popular Boa Viagem Beach, or visit the beautiful suburb of Olinda, a perfectly intact 16th century town.

Turning out of the muddy Amazon, you will cruise into the blue Rio Tapajos, to anchor off the village of Alter do Chao. Here you can tour the Center for Preservation of Indigenous Arts, with displays on the lifestyles of local tribes. Or cross to a white sand beach for a refreshing swim in the clear river waters.

A cultural outpost in the heart of the Amazon rainforest, Manaus was famous for the extravagant lifestyle and architecture of the 19th century rubber barons who made their fortunes here. The renovated opera house stands as an opulent testament to their vast wealth.

Dutch St. Maarten is a great place to stop just to shop. Its capital is Philipsburg and fills a narrow stretch of land between Great Bay and the Great Salt Pond. It is a bustling center of international trade with lively shopping streets, cafes, and hotels. Strangely enough it has two main streets called Front Street and Back Street.

On Front Street, which is the main thoroughfare, duty-free shops line the road as far as the eye can see. These duty-free shops offer everything from Italian leather goods and Japanese cameras to native crafts. Don't be afraid to venture the alleyways that will lead you to arcades and courtyards filled with flowers.

The Courthouse is the most prominent landmark on Front Street. It is a grand white wooden structure topped with a cupola built in 1793. Front Street also includes the Simartin Museum so that visitors can get and excellent introduction to local St. Maartin history. There are also historical forts that are monuments to Philipsburg's strategic importance in St. Maarten's history.

Philipsburg has not been left behind in the time, however. It has combined its historical legacy with 20th century excitement. Since its waterfront has become a popular stop for cruise ships, the shore of this town is covered with restaurants, cafes and nightclubs that offer entertainment well into the night.

The fortress of El Morro guards the harbor against long-gone Sir Francis Drake and his British privateers. The colorful streets of Old San Juan retain the Latin flavor of its seafaring past, when this was the heart of the Spanish Main. Sample the fiery rum made here, or indulge in an icy treat made from fresh tropical fruit and enjoy the Caribbean atmosphere.

Discover the cosmopolitan beauty of Miami along Florida's fabled Gold Coast. Stroll through carefully preserved Art Deco neighborhoods and witness the trendy lifestyle that is South Beach. Enjoy open-air shopping in the Bayside Marketplace and shop for a bite to eat in Coconut Grove, with its harborside cafes and quaint, artistic settings.