Miami to Los Angeles

People-watchers will enjoy South Beach’s Ocean Drive, while architecture buffs will love the Art Deco District. If you’re looking for something a bit different, there are world-class museums and shopping venues too. In Miami, there really is something for everyone.

Distinguished by its colorful Dutch colonial architecture, Oranjestad is the capital of Aruba, first settled in 1796. Named as a tribute to the Dutch king William of Orange, the city today attracts tourists searching for duty-free bargains and strolling around the beautiful streets.

Take in the charming Dutch colonial architecture along the Willemstad harbor in this historic town that has been named a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Explore the aquamarine waters of Curacao’s numerous beaches and dive along the stunning coral reefs and hidden caverns. Hike the trails or join a safari through Christoffel National Park to observe the rare flora and fauna.

Go for a hike in Washington-Slagbaai National Park and look for birds, lizards and iguanas. Snorkel in the sapphire seas surrounded by a rainbow of tropical fish. Visit a butterfly garden, go sea kayaking through mangroves, see the famed saltwater lake Gotomeer, watch the fishing boats along the Playa Pabou waterfront, or enjoy a quiet moment on Pink Beach or at the Lourdes Grotto.

You can smell the cinnamon and nutmeg well before you dock in St. George’s; a tour of the spice estates on Grenada is almost mandatory. You can also take in a visit to a distillery to see how the island’s sugarcane juice is first turned into syrup and then into rum. A ferry trip to sister island Carriacou offers fantastic diving opportunities, and romantics can climb the waterfalls or just relax on the sun-kissed beaches.

Discover the many beautiful aspects of this island, from its rugged Atlantic coastline to its beautiful Great Houses, cane fields, exquisite gardens and glorious beaches. See the island’s spectacular underwater treasures on your own snorkeling expedition.

Explore this lush, beautiful island and its bustling capital. Visit the historic La Toc Battery, see banana plantations, and watch silk screening at Bagshaws. Venture south to Soufriere at the base of the Piton peaks and see the unique gingerbread architecture of the marketplace. Take a bike ride through the rain forest to a lovely waterfall, kayak in the deep blue Caribbean, snorkel or dive to spectacular reefs.

Sometimes referred to as “Butterfly Island” because of its shape, Guadeloupe is an overseas region of France. Whether visiting the spectacular waterfalls in the jungle of Basse-Terre, taking a scenic hike to the top of La Grande Soufrière volcano or sampling local rum on a distillery tour, you will find a diverse array of activities to enjoy.

Spend a glorious day swimming at famed Cane Garden Bay Beach, hiking in the rainforest or enjoying a scenic drive around this lush island. Swim with dolphins, go sea kayaking, or head over to Virgin Gorda and climb down to the famous Baths for a day of swimming and exploring this natural phenomenon.

People-watchers will enjoy South Beach’s Ocean Drive, while architecture buffs will love the Art Deco District. If you’re looking for something a bit different, there are world-class museums and shopping venues too. In Miami, there really is something for everyone.

Swim and snorkel with shy and gentle stingrays, see the underwater world from a semi-submersible sub, send a postcard from “Hell,” visit a turtle farm where green sea turtles are raised, or just relax on miles and miles of exquisite white sand beach.

Take a scenic drive through the residential area of Manga and admire the beautiful mansions. Explore the Castillo San Felipe de Barajas, a fort that was once the most important military structure built in Latin America. Enjoy a boat ride to the Islas del Rosario and continue to the island of San Martín de Pajarales to visit the aquarium. Board a beautiful Spanish galleon, a replica of a 17th century sailing ship, for a cruise of the inner bay of Cartagena.

The Panama Canal is an artificial 82 km waterway in Panama that connects the Atlantic Ocean with the Pacific Ocean. The canal cuts across the Isthmus of Panama and is a conduit for maritime trade.

Be awed by the spectacular rainforest canopy, whether you walk through it or ride an aerial tram. Discover breathtaking waterfalls, butterfly gardens and a cloud forest. Watch for curious monkeys and brilliantly colored birds. Ride horseback through a rare virgin tropical dry forest. Or enjoy a scenic drive to San Jose and see this charming city and its sights.

Drive into the mountains to beautiful old Antigua, once the country’s colonial capital, and discover its lovely bougainvillea-draped buildings and breathtaking views of emerald volcanoes. Travel to famed Lake Atitlan and step back in time as you encounter the indigenous people in all of their finery still living along the lakeshore. Or better yet, fly to Flores and experience the magnificent and enigmatic Mayan temples and palaces of the Tikal complex, surrounded by jungle.

Ixtapa is a Pacific Coast beach resort in the Mexican state of Guerrero. Curving El Palmar Beach is lined with high-rise hotels, bars and restaurants. Fishing boats leave from Ixtapa Marina, adjacent to a golf course. The granite rocks of Los Morros de Potosí are a popular dive site, while the Delfiniti dolphinarium offers the chance to swim with dolphins. The laid-back resort city of Zihuatanejo lies just southeast.

An enormous sailfish sculpture dominates the waterfront of Manzanillo, known as the “Sailfish Capital of the World” thanks to the excellent sport fishing here. Manzanillo’s verdant tropical environment lies along two crescent-shaped bays separated by the scenic outcrop of the Santiago Peninsula. Whether you prefer tranquil coves or crashing surf, you’ll find the perfect beach for swimming, water skiing, windsurfing or simply relaxing. Or take in the fabulous vistas as you play a round of golf on one of the lush courses.

Located on the west coast of Baja California, Ensenada is a sportsman’s paradise with popular pursuits including surfing, sport fishing, sea kayaking, horseback riding and mountain biking. If you prefer more leisurely activities, take a scenic coastal drive to the Punta Banda Peninsula to see La Bufadora. This marine geyser that shoots from the sea toward the clifftops is one of the largest blowholes in North America. Back in town, pop into famous Hussong’s Cantina and sip a margarita in the bar where the cocktail was reputedly invented.

Bask on the sun-kissed beaches of Malibu or shop along Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills. Ride a bike through Griffith Park and visit the observatory, just below the Hollywood sign. Visit the stunning Getty Museum and maybe take in a special concert at the Disney Concert Hall, designed by Frank Gehry.