There's a little bit of Carnival celebrated here everyday. From its famous beaches to its iconic statue of Christ the Redeemer, Rio radiates an air of exuberance that is hard to find anywhere else. Make the scene on trendy Ipanema or take a cable car to the summit of Sugar Loaf Mountain and enjoy the amazing views. Sway your hips to the rhythm at a samba show or enjoy the tranquility of king Dom João VI's Botanical Gardens and verdant Tijuca Forest.

There's a little bit of Carnival celebrated here everyday. From its famous beaches to its iconic statue of Christ the Redeemer, Rio radiates an air of exuberance that is hard to find anywhere else. Make the scene on trendy Ipanema or take a cable car to the summit of Sugar Loaf Mountain and enjoy the amazing views. Sway your hips to the rhythm at a samba show or enjoy the tranquility of king Dom João VI's Botanical Gardens and verdant Tijuca Forest.

Discover colonial Brazil in Recife and nearby Olinda, with narrow winding streets, restored homes, churches, and plazas. Admire views from Malakoff Tower and Olinda's hilltop plaza. Visit the old Dutch Fort, Jewish Historic Archive, and a local artist's workshop/gallery. Shop for Pernambuco handicrafts-clay figurines, wood sculptures, leather or woven straw items-or find unique trinkets. Enjoy a delicious lobster lunch or whatever your palate desires.

About 25 miles from Santarém, Brazil, Alter do Chão is an Amazon River community on the Rio Tapajós, named for a flat-topped hill backdrop. This small island features white-sand beaches, palm trees, cottages, Indian handicrafts, lush vegetation, a turquoise lagoon, and exceptionally clear water, making it a popular destination. Note: due to its underdeveloped nature, organized tours are not available.

Boca Da Valeria is an Indian village on a 400-ft hill overlooking the Amazon, between Parintins and Santarem. Wander the small settlement or relax aboard and enjoy close-up views of lush equatorial vegetation. Ashore, see log canoes, grass huts, and a life of hunting and fishing unchanged since early explorers. Due to the under-developed nature of this destination, organized tours are not available.

Manaus, the "Paris of the Jungle," is the capital of Brazil's Amazonas state. Once a river village on the left bank of the Rio Negro, near its meeting with the Amazon, it was shaped by 19th-century rubber barons and is now a key gateway to the mid-Amazon. Riverboats explore tributaries, estuaries, and creeks rich in wildlife. Highlights include the Renaissance-style Opera House and the Customs House, built in Liverpool and nicknamed "Little Big Ben."

Manaus, the "Paris of the Jungle," is the capital of Brazil's Amazonas state. Once a river village on the left bank of the Rio Negro, near its meeting with the Amazon, it was shaped by 19th-century rubber barons and is now a key gateway to the mid-Amazon. Riverboats explore tributaries, estuaries, and creeks rich in wildlife. Highlights include the Renaissance-style Opera House and the Customs House, built in Liverpool and nicknamed "Little Big Ben."

The small village of Parintins on Tupinambarana Island is situated in the largest river archipelago of the mid-Amazon. Steeped in centuries-old Indian culture, this village is celebrates an annual "Boi Bumba" festival. The yearly folkloric festival, considered second only to Carnival in Rio, is held in June but the townspeople reenact the festival for visitors throughout the year.

The first settlement in Santarem was a Jesuit mission built in 1661. Today, Santarem is one of the Amazon's most important trading centers, and is rich in legend and nature. The town is situated at the point where the Tapajos and the Amazon waters meet. This is called the "Wedding of the Waters" and is one of Santarem's major attractions. The lakes and forests of this area are home to numerous species of birds, particularly the white egret.

Castries is St Lucia's capital, commercial center, and main cruise port. Founded by the French around 1768, it changed hands in the early 1800s, when the British made it a major naval port and built fortifications on Morne Fortune above the harbor. Today, visitors can shop duty-free at Pointe Seraphine, explore rain forest in Castries Waterworks Forest Reserve, or take day trips to the Grand Pitons and Fort Charlotte for scenic views and history.

With over a quarter of the island set aside as a national park and rainforest still growing, St. Kitts is a stunning tropical escape. Zip through the Valley of the Giants, hike to Sofa Rock atop a still-smoldering volcano, or relax on beaches protected by coral reefs. Enjoy fresh seafood and seasonal fruits like soursop and mammy apples, plus duty-free shopping for copperware, local beer and rum, and embroidered fabrics.

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."