On this island of tropical palm-fringed beaches there's an ambiance that ranges from sophisticated (in Bridgetown) to slow-paced. Enjoy an exciting tour of Harrison's cave, filled with underground streams, thundering waterfalls, stalactites and stalagmites.

Ft Lauderdale is a city of islands held together by an intricate web of canals, rivers, bays and waterways hundreds of miles long. Needless to say, boating is a favorite city pastime, whether zooming along on a speedboat, enjoying a fishing charter, or cruising the coastline by yacht. Beautiful homes of every size and style make up the bulk of this primarily residential area. By the beach, a leisurly stroll can be taken along the new landscaping wavewall design of the beachfront promenade. But this city is anything but sedate. Once a spring break hot spot, the town still has an energetic and colorful nightlife. Nearby, charming Laudrdale-By-the-Sea is home to one of the only living coral reefs in the US accesible from shore. Las Olas Boulevard, a shoppers paradise, is the chic new shopping and trendy dining area of downtown. If sports are more your inclination, dozens of golf courses and hundreds of public parks allow you to absorb the great Florida outdoors. Cultural arts are also popular. Water taxis bring theater-goers from throughout the city to the Performing Arts Center on the water.

One of Texas's most popular year-round coastal destinations, Galveston is an island in the Gulf of Mexico 50 miles southeast of Houston, connected to the mainland by a causeway and bridge. The island is a marriage of the best of both worlds: it is both city and seaside resort. It offers historical and cultural attractions, as well as swimming, sunbathing, and relaxing. The restored Victorian Strand district, resort hotels, and beachfront businesses give a commercial feel to the north end of the island, while miles of private and rental residences on the southern end offer solitude and open beach access. Once one of the world's great port cities, Galveston was nearly devastated by a hurricane in 1900. More than 6,000 residents were killed by the storm, and many structures were demolished. The hurricane prompted city officials to raise the island and add a seawall, making Galveston a safe place to visit today. After the 1900 hurricane and the opening of the Houston ship channel, Galveston lost its position as Texas's busiest seaport and the street known as the Strand -- formerly the site of stores, offices, and warehouses -- faded as a bustling center of commerce. In the 1950s, preservationists launched Galveston's renaissance by restoring stately homes and building up commercial districts with modern facilities. The Strand, now on the National Register of Historic Places, has one of the largest collections of historic buildings in the country. A resort city with a southern flair, Galveston is a petite and blended version of New Orleans and Charleston.

The prosperous capital, Oranjestad, caters to shopaholics; while not a free port, its duty is minimal. Historic charm has therefore been largely supplanted by purveyors of French toiletries, Swiss watches, Scottish kilts, and Delft china (though coin connoisseurs fed up with spending can hit the Museo Numismatico). Cultural - and culinary - influences are as international as the wares on sale, and the local dialect, Papiamento, is a whimsical blend of Dutch, Spanish, Portuguese, and English. Nevertheless, South American ways have infused Aruba's own customs more strongly than those of other nearby islands, so life feels distinctly Latin.

Called "La Ciudad Amurallada", San Juan was founded in 1521. In 1508 Juan Ponce de León founded the original settlement, Caparra, behind the almost land-locked harbor just to the west of the present metropolitan area. The settlement was abandoned and moved to the site of what is now called Old San Juan. San Juan is one of the biggest and best natural harbors in the Caribbean and is the second oldest city in the Americas. San Juan is a major port and tourist resort of the West Indies and is the oldest city under the U.S flag. The metropolitan area known as San Juan has 3 distinct areas: Old San Juan, the Beach & Resort area, and other outlying communities, the most important: Río Piedras, Hato Rey, Puerta de Tierra, and Santurce. Río Piedras was founded in 1714 but became incorporated into San Juan in 1951. During the early 16th century, San Juan was the point of departure of Spanish expeditions to charter or settle unknown parts of the New World. Its fortifications repulsed the English navigator Sir Francis Drake in 1595, as well as later attacks. In the 20th century the city expanded beyond its walled confines, known as Old San Juan, to incorporate suburban Miramar, Santurce, Condado, Hato Rey and Río Piedras. San Juan is the largest processing center of the island, the metropolitan area has facilities for petroleum and sugar refining, brewing and distilling and produces cement, pharmaceuticals, metal products clothing, and tobacco. The port is one of the busiest in the Caribbean. San Juan is the country's financial capital, and many U.S. banks and corporations maintain offices or distributing centers there. San Juan is center of Caribbean shipping and is the 2nd largest sea port in the area (after New York City). Old San Juan. This is a 465-year-old neighborhood originally conceived as a military stronghold. Its 7-square-block area has evolved into a charming residential and commercial district. The streets here are paved with cobbles of adoquine, a blue stone cast from furnace slag; they were brought over a ballast on Spanish ships and time and moisture have lent them their characteristic color. Includes more than 400 carefully restored 16th- and 17th-century Spanish colonial buildings.The Old San Juan attracts many tourists, who also enjoy the gambling casinos, fine beaches, and tropical climate. More tourists visit San Juan each year than any other spot in the Caribbean. A leisurely foot tour is advisable for those who really want to experience this bit of the Old World, especially given the narrow, steep streets and frequently heavy traffic. To really do justice to these wonderful old sites, you'll need two mornings or a full day.