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.
An island under two flags, St. Martin/St. Maarten is French and Dutch. Philipsburg is on the Dutch side and famous for its duty-free emporia and casinos. A short drive will bring you to Marigot, a charming French Colonial outpost featuring shops filled with French fashions and imported Gallic goodies, as well as beautiful beaches.
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.
St. Lucia is one of the most scenic volcanic islands in the Caribbean. By helicopter, fly over beautiful Castries Harbor and Les Pitons, St. Lucia's dramatic twin volcanic peaks. By motor coach, venture to the edge of Soufriere's great crater, the world's only drive-in volcano. Or by foot, stroll through lovely Port Seraphine.
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.
Called the "Spice Island" for its abundance of cinnamon and nutmeg, still sold at the waterfront market, Grenada is spicy in many other ways. St. George's has historic buildings in brick and mellow stone, and one of the loveliest harbors in the Caribbean. The coastline is full of secluded coves, while the mountainous interior is rich in rainforests and frothy rivers.
Steel drums and calypso were born here. Nature lovers will delight in the Asa Wright Nature Center and the Caroni Bird Sanctuary, two of the Caribbean's best known conservation centers.
The tiny island of Aruba is the smallest of the ABC Islands, which include Barbados and Curacao. Aruba lies about 15 miles north of Venezuela and has limited vegetation. The landscape consists of cacti and the curiously wind-bent divi divi trees. You may also be interested in climbing atop some of the huge boulders and exploring some of its caves. Of course, the main attractions to this island are its magnificent beaches against the turquoise waters full of spectacular marine life, which lure scores of sunbathers, snorkelers, and divers each year to the island.
Though small, Aruba has room for some luxury as well. If you travel along Palm Beach, you will find the several miles of this white sand lined with a string of hotels with glitzy casinos, restaurants and exotic boutiques. The crystal-clear waters of this beach are ideal for swimming and all kinds of watersports. However, if you prefer to stay dry, you are more than welcome to enjoy Aruba''s exotic underwater world from the glass bottom boats or on a submarine excursion.
If you are a veteran Caribbean traveler, Curacao is a good choice for you. At the beaches, you will see a range from snowy white sand to volcanic pebbles. Most of Curacao''s beauty lies around the island in its coral reefs. These coral reefs are so beautiful that they are drawing in an increasing number of divers and snorkelers.
The original Dutch settlers of Curacao did well in bringing a bit of home with them. This is seen in the appearance of the colonial buildings painted in shades of yellow, orange and blue. But no one can mistake this island as a part of the Amsterdam as the climate is dryer, the soil is barren and cacti thrive easily.
The main attractions of this island are the historic Dutch architecture, shopping, nightlife, diving and snorkeling, nature areas, caves, swimming, the Sea Aquarium, casinos, and restaurants. With all the unique culture and varied attractions Curacao has a pleasant mixture of all the best things in the Caribbean. This island is definitely good for more than laying on the beach.
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.