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.

visit the oldest street, house, cathedral and university in the Western Hemisphere...you`ll find a cluster of four museums ... The National Theatre is ... a popular venue for ballet, opera, concerts and theatre...A different type of excitement can be found at the capital`s dozen casinos...gourmands will find excellent restaurants.

But truth be told, this isn't a tourist town per se, compared to other destinations in the Caribbean Sea . Nevertheless, there are things to see and do while you are in port.

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.

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.

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.

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.

The Amalia Glacier is located in the Southern Ice Fields of Chile along the Peel Inlet. It is a beautiful site to see the white and blue silhouettes of towering ice descend from the Andes Mountains to create a frontal face that covers approximately 1km and as high as 50 meters. This size of this ice mass is generated by blizzards that help to will be amazed by the crystal aspect of this glacier.

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.

Nestled in a protected bay on the Gulf Nuevo, this unique hamlet was founded by adventurous Welsh colonists in 1865 and has maintained Welsh as its official language. Visit the Valdez Peninsula, the only known continental breeding place for elephant seals. Also watch for sea lions, whales and exotic birds.

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.

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).

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.

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.

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.

The most notorious of the three Salvation Islands, Devil's Island functioned for generations as a French penal colony. Once known as the "Dry Guillotine" because so many prisoners died there, the island today seems haunted by the spirits of former prisoners. Henri Charriere, better known as "Papillon," claimed to be the only prisoner ever to escape the Island.

The capital of Senegal on the tip of Western Africa is a modern town with a charming colonial center known for its handicrafts, textiles, silver-work and beaches. Watch the local fishermen or take a trip to see the beautiful African hinterland.

Across the river from the gleaming new town of Agadir is ancient Taroudant, where you can meander within old city walls and see merchants selling handicrafts, fashioned by centuries-old methods. Follow caravan trails south along the coast; a view of Berber life awaits in the pink-walled town of Tiznit.

The economic capital of Morocco and the second largest city in Africa, Casablanca is an exotic blend of African, Arabian and European cultures. White-washed houses and peaceful mosques line the narrow streets of ancient Medina, the original Arab Section. Nearby, souks hum with the activity of contented shoppers bargaining for fine leather and handicrafts. The Ain Daib quarter in the southern part of the city boasts a strand of oceanfront resorts and restaurants set along the beach. Visit the mysterious "pink" city of Marrakech with its famed market and snake-charmers.

One of the "Pillars of Hercules," Gibraltar is an historic landmark with British and Spanish influences. Guarding the entrance to the Atlantic, the great rock still serves as Britain's threshold to the Mediterranean. Take a cable car to the top of the rock for a spectacular view of two continents as well as the famous Barbary apes.

Barcelona is the cultural heartland of Spain, yet its first language is Catalan, the native tongue of the proudly independent Catalonia region. Stroll down the shady, tree-lined Ramblas between street musicians and elegant bistros. Then perhaps visit the venerable Gothic cathedral, Picasso Museum or enjoy the architectural genius of Antonio Gaudi's Church of the Holy Family.

Founded by Phoenicians in 1100 B.C., Cádiz may be the oldest continuously occupied city in the West. The Cathedral's gold dome dates from 1722, when New World treasures flowed here. But is also the gateway to the Moorish marvels of Seville: the Alcazar and Giralda Tower, the fountains and palaces of Maria Luisa Park, and the great Cathedral, whose altar is decorated with 4,000 pounds of gold from the Americas!

Lisbon is many cities, from the cobbled alleys of the Alfama district to the broad Parisian style avenues at its heart. View it all from the heights of St. George's Castle. Belem's Monument to the Discoveries recalls the seafaring past, while nearby Sintra's storybook palaces, and the seaside resort of Caiscais, have different tales to tell.

A crossroad in the English Channel for centuries, Zeebrugge is the entry to Flanders, whose golden age heritage resides in three historic cities: Ghent, Antwerp and Bruges-a jewel of a town beribboned with picturesque canals and a truly charming medieval beauty. In this region, museums proudly display the glories of the old Flemish masters, from Van Dyck to Rubens, and summertime is delightful when window boxes boast colorful flowers and the graceful arcs of windmills can be seen.

Norway's royal residence since 997 AD, when King Olaf I founded Trondheim, the city still boasts Stiftsgarden, the huge wooden palace. A century later, St. Olaf II began to perform miracles for the people, making Trondheim a major pilgrimage destination. Be sure to visit Nidaros Cathedral, where the Norwegian kings are still crowned, which is certainly one of Europe's premier Gothic-style churches.

Welcome to the top of the world! The village of Honningsvag is the northernmost community in Europe, set in a land of vast forests, dramatic fjords and crashing waterfalls, bathed in the eerie light of the Midnight Sun. Just up the coast is the North Cape, Europe's northernmost point, with breathtaking views towards the Barents Sea and the polar north.

This pristine European island is filled with glaciers, volcanoes, and hot, mineral-rich springs to explore. Native Icelanders have a remarkably rich history and culture, and would love to share it with you - they are great storytellers. Stroll through the charming Austurvollur Square, and be sure to stop in one of the many cafes for some of the freshest seafood you''ll find anywhere. Or visit the mighty Gullfoss or "Golden Waterfall," the most dramatic cascade in Europe.

Ascend the hillside streets to the Citadel, a star-shaped fort built in 1749, where the traditional Noon Gun recalls the British garrison. Visit the restored wharves of Historic Properties, now filled with shops, and Halifax Public Gardens, the oldest formal Victorian gardens in North America. Or drive out along the Lighthouse Route to the rustic fishing village of Peggy's Cove, for postcard-perfect Nova Scotian scenery: lobster pots, fishing boats, and a shining Atlantic seascape just offshore.

Maine's largest city, Portland is known for its stately elms, historic homes and restored waterfront area. Considered the gateway to "Down East" Maine, this coastal city is a great spot to enjoy Maine lobster fresh from the sea. You can visit Longfellow's boyhood home or explore the Portland Headlight, the oldest lighthouse in constant use today. And nearby is Freeport, home of L.L. Bean and a large selection of discount and outlet stores.

The history and brick-laid beauty of Boston is easy to enjoy. Just follow the Freedom Trail past the Old North Church, Paul Revere Park, Fanieul Hall, the Commons, Old Ironsides and more landmarks of America's birth. Across the Charles River is Cambridge and Harvard. You can also venture to Marblehead and Salem to the south, or Lexington and Concord to the north. Back in town, you have your choice of clam chowder at the wharf, or great Italian food in the North End.