Panama City blends a shimmering skyline with cobblestone streets, rooftop bars, and centuries-old ruins. Founded in 1519, Panamá Viejo was abandoned in the mid-17th century and replaced by Casco Viejo; together they are a UNESCO Cultural World Heritage site. Visit the Panama Canal Museum for exhibits on the "Big Ditch," and honor the 22,000 workers who died building it at Plaza de Francia.

Drive through Manga's residential area to admire late-19th-century Republican-style mansions. Visit Castillo San Felipe de Barajas, once Latin America's most important military fort. Take a boat to the Islas del Rosario-26 coral islands off Isla Barú-and continue to San Martín de Pajarales for the aquarium, dolphin and shark show, and other marine attractions. Then board the Spanish Galleon, a replica 17th-century ship, for a cruise of Cartagena's inner bay.

The city blends Dutch and Spanish architecture. Now a Dutch city named for the House of Orange, it became Aruba's capital in 1979. Beyond the beaches, start at Wilhelmina Park, a tropical waterfront garden with Caribbean breezes, then visit the Archaeological Museum of Aruba or the Numismatic Museum of Aruba, which displays coins from 400+ countries. Fort Zoutman (1796), the island's oldest Dutch building, gained Willem III Tower in 1867 and now offers views, music festivals, and craft fairs.

Discover a touch of old Amsterdam in a Caribbean paradise. Pastel waterfront buildings give this Dutch island its charm. Don't miss the colorful floating market, a short walk from Queen Emma Pontoon Bridge. A World Heritage site, Punda preserves hundreds of national monuments, including Fort Amsterdam, the Governor's Palace, Mikve Israel-Emanuel Synagogue-one of the first in the New World-and the colorful Penha building.

Whether you enjoy climbing waterfalls or simply relaxing on sun-kissed beaches, you will find that the capital of Grenada has something for everyone. From the moment you arrive, you will not only be charmed by a colorful mix of colonial architecture set on lush vegetation, but also be enchanted by the smell of cinnamon and nutmeg. Be sure to visit one of the many spice estates or shop for exotic spices in the Market Square.

Roseau, a small town with plenty of colonial charm, offers the colorful New Market, where you can stop for a refreshing coconut drink. Dominica's real beauty lies in its unspoiled natural landscape - the dense rain forests, lush foliage, natural springs and rivers and tall, smoldering peaks. Dominica is home to one of the Caribbean's great natural wonders-the scenic Valley of Desolation, where in a verdant tropical gorge, white mists from bubbling hot springs swirl in the air.

Discover tax-free shopping heaven in Charlotte Amalie, the Caribbean's Mecca. Beyond world-class beaches and snorkeling at Coki, Sapphire, and Trunk Bay, the shopping is unmatched: designer shops on Main Street and countless stores in the side streets. Find jewelry, watches, china, liquor, linens, tobacco, and rum balls. Pause for a creative rum cocktail, then head to Frenchtown for a great meal in lush tropical surroundings.

Sunny Florida skies, year-round warmth, nightlife, and a diverse culture define this cosmopolitan city. South Beach draws crowds, while the Art Deco District is the world's largest collection of Art Deco architecture. Shop from Bal Harbour to Lincoln Road and Coconut Grove, enjoy Cuban culture on Calle Ocho, or visit the historic Venetian Pool. There's something for everyone in this "Gateway to the Americas."