Originally a fort built by the U.S. Army in 1838 during the Second Seminole War, Fort Lauderdale welcomes visitors with broad, palm-fringed beaches and an easy pace of life. Stroll along fashionable Las Olas Boulevard with its stylish shops or enjoy a sightseeing cruise through the city''s canals, boasting more waterways than Venice. Or, venture out and explore the cosmopolitan city of Palm Beach, or the wildlife sanctuary of the Everglades.

Sitting just off the gorgeous Yucatan coast, Cozumel revels in its mythic white-sand beaches and world-class coral reefs. Yet Cozumel is also the last stronghold of the Mayas, who settled the island in 300 A.D. Residents still speak Maya, and sometimes wear traditional Mayan clothing. Nearby stand the great pyramids and temples of their ancestors.

Spend an unforgettable day cruising the Panama Canal, a fifty-one-mile waterway through the rainforest that is one of the world's engineering masterpieces. The ship glides down the canal with inches to spare, through locks that raise and lower it like a toy. Along the way it crosses enormous Gatun Lake, and the amazing Gaillard Cut, blasted out of a solid mountainside.

...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.

Callao is your port of entry to the glittering, elegant city of Lima, the darling of Peru. Founded by Pizarro and the Conquistadors, the capital city today offers priceless collections ranging from the Museum of Gold to the Museum of Anthropology and Archeology. Pizarro's remains can be found in the Cathedral, built in 1746. From Lima, you can also take a tour to Machu Picchu, the mysterious lost city of the Incas high in the Andes, or to Cuzco, the capital of the Incan Empire.

The beautiful city of Arica is as lovely as it is diverse.You can lie on the beach sipping an exotic drink, and hike the trails of the glorious Lauca National Park in the same day.The Cathedral of San Marcos is a fantastic man-made achievement, and the Salar de Surire National Monument is spectacular. In addition, the city and its surrounding area are virtually rain free, experiencing the least precipitation of anywhere on earth.It also has an incredibly low crime rate, and is a wonderful blend of modern tourist attractions and ancient culture.

Valparaiso, the port city for Santiago, is a charming resort with a sundial made entirely of flowers. Steep hills rise to make the surroundings an amphitheater, with wharves and business quarters at the base and residential neighborhoods above. Visit Cerro Castillo, a Spanish colonial mansion on the former site of Collao Fort. Contrast the architecture with the baronial English Tudor Building which houses the Naval Museum.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Salvador is a dynamic collage of diverse religious and cultural groups, colorful open-air markets, tropical flowers, majestic colonial buildings, golden-sand beaches and the bubbling sensuality of the Bahian people. Visit the Sao Francisco Chapel, whose interior is paved with gold. Sample Salvador's Afro-Brazilian cuisine, including such mouth-watering specialties as "ensopada" (seafood poached in fresh coconut milk) and "vatapa" (spicy fresh shrimp).

This 16th-century Portuguese town offers the most exquisite handmade lace and embroidery in all Brazil. In addition to its wonderful handicrafts, Fortaleza offers some of the loveliest golden beaches on Brazil's northeast coast. Take a drive along the coast to Brabco, where the sand dunes are beautified by watefalls. Dotting the coastline, you'll see many "jangadas," rustic fishing craft that are the unofficial symbol of the state.

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.

The Bajan British accent is very distinctive, reflecting both the Scepter'd Isle and the lovely one they live on. Barbados still has lovely parish churches, great manor houses and a proper Trafalgar Square along with white-sugar beaches and waving fields of cane.

Just recently, St. Lucia, and Castries in particular, has become one of the most popular regions for tourists. The accommodations and facilities are top of the line, and the restaurants and activities fabulous. The majority of travelers reside between Castries, which is the capital of St. Lucia, and the northern end of the island. The entire north side of the island is comprised of white-sand beaches to dazzle even the most seasoned and experienced traveler.

St. John's, Antigua is one of the oldest trading posts in the Caribbean Sea. It is a mixture of restored buildings that date back to the 1600s and some more modern buildings. One of the great things about St. John's is that most of the sights are within walking distance; so go explore the town as soon as you disembark. As you take a stroll along the streets lining the wharf, you will notice vendors hawking everything from clothing to local crafts, artwork, and jewelry. The Public Market is arrayed with an assortment of tropical fruits that you may not recognize. If you are up for a little bit adventure, sample something that appeals to you. Just make sure to ask if it needs any preparation first.

This fertile isle is a land of rain forests, tropical flowers, and abundant sugar cane. After a stroll around the charming colonial streets and shops of the capital, Basseterre, tour the island or visit Brimstone Hill Fort, an impressive construction that is one of the wonders of the Caribbean world.

Prior to the arrival of the Europeans, the island of St. Thomas was once inhabited by the Ciboney tribes around 1500 BC along with two other tribes, the Taino or Arawaks and the Caribs. Even today you will be able to find evidence of these late tribes. Also before the European began to form a colony on this island, pirates once roam this island. The most common stories of pirates usually include the names of Blackbeard and Bluebeard who have been known for thieving Spanish ships filled with gold coins and other valuables. In 1917, the Danish flag was a thing of the past and the flag of the United States is a thing of the present.

Due to the beauty of this island, breath taking attractions are everywhere you look. This island is equipped with historical sites such as the Charlotte Amalie to marine parks and beautiful botanical gardens throughout the island. During your visit make sure you indulge in the Nightlife full of calypso music for your listening pleasure as well as great restaurants for your dining pleasure and semi-block parties for your dancing delight.

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.