region

The Tobago Cays are an eco-paradise of pristine, aquamarine waters, sparkling white beaches and amazing wildlife in the southern Grenadines. A cluster of five uninhabited cays and the surrounding barrier reefs protect seabirds, native plants, iguanas, sea turtles, colorful hard coral and tropical fish. Tobago Cays Marine Park can only be reached by a boat, which can anchor in a sandy-bottomed lagoon. From here, snorkeling and diving explorations reveal a vibrant underwater world. In the Baradal Turtle Sanctuary, get close to green and hawksbill turtles in their natural habitat.

The distinctive cityscape of Valencia harmoniously blends centuries of architecture. The first stone of Valencia Cathedral was laid in 1262, and one of the chapels holds a chalice purported to be the true Holy Grail. Meanwhile, the Plaza del Mercado provides a delightful contrast between the art nouveau Mercado Central and the Gothic architecture of Lonja de la Seda, a former silk exchange and UNESCO World Heritage site. Moving into the 21st century, the City of Arts and Sciences was designed by renowned Valencian architect Santiago Calatrava and opened in 2005.

A UNESCO World Heritage site, Valletta is a diminutive city packed with history. Sailing into the harbor is an experience in itself, as the dome and spire of competing churches rise above the cluster of limestone façades and formidable ramparts. Built by the Knights of St. John in the 16th century, Valletta is architecturally Baroque in character, with Mannerist, neoclassical and modern elements as well. It’s easy to navigate the city on foot and take in sights such as the City Gate, National Museum of Archaeology, Grand Master’s Palace and St.

One of the most enchanting cities in the world and a UNESCO World Heritage site, Venice rises from a lagoon on more than a hundred tiny islands linked by the iconic network of canals. A romantic gondola ride provides the perfect introduction to the city, gliding underneath the Ponte di Rialto – the oldest and most famous of Venice’s hundreds of bridges – and past the ornate palaces lining the Grand Canal. The power and wealth of the Venetian empire are on display at Piazza San Marco, the city’s most splendid square, where stands the grand St.

The Dutch capital is one of Europe’s best-preserved cities – with 60 miles of canals and nearly 7,000 buildings dating from the 18th century or earlier. A good way to see the narrow shop houses is on a canal cruise. Consider a canal tour that includes the poignant Anne Frank House on the Prinsengracht Canal. Amsterdam is an art lover’s city with over 70 museums, the best known being the Van Gogh Museum and the Rijksmuseum, considered a national treasure for its collection of masterworks by Rembrandt, Vermeer and others.

The West End of Tortola is exactly that, the island’s western reaches. The verdant hills of both the bigger island of Tortola and tiny Frenchman’s Cay form a sheltered U-shaped harbor with beautiful views out to Great Thatch Island and Little Thatch Island. The scenic setting is complemented by a mix of the waterfront shops, restaurants, bars and casual eateries that cater to the nautical crowd, who laud it as a favored anchorage in the BVI. On the Tortola side of the harbour, a ferry terminal welcomes vessels from the islands of Jost Van Dyke, Saint John and Saint Thomas.

The lovely island of Curaçao is home to more than 30 beautiful beaches and a cosmopolitan capital. Vibrantly hued heritage architecture is the hallmark of Willemstad’s historic center, whose two sides span Sint Anna Bay, connected by the floating Queen Emma Bridge. On the east side, enjoy the waterfront cafés, galleries and shopping – including a floating market – of the Punda. Other key sights, such as the landmark Fort Amsterdam, a 17th-century synagogue and the acclaimed Curaçao Maritime Museum, are concentrated in and around this district. Nearby Pietermaai is known for nightlife.

An amazing amalgam of sights and sounds, Rome is a kinetic tapestry stimulating every sense. The ring of church bells and honks of early morning traffic echo off the weathered stone of ancient buildings. Office workers dash past fruit stands and sidewalk cafés in the shadows of elegant palace façades. Meanwhile, tourists make their way from piazza to piazza, monument to monument, church to church: the Colosseum, the Roman Forum, the Vatican Museums, St. Peter’s Basilica.