Galveston, on a barrier island off Texas's northern Gulf Coast, blends preserved Victorian architecture with beaches. Stroll the Strand for 19th-century brick facades, boutiques, and eateries. Visit Moody Gardens for marine life, a rainforest, and science exhibits. Explore museums on seaport history, WWII naval vessels, railroads, and offshore oil. Finish with Gulf seafood at waterfront restaurants.

A relaxing tropical adventure awaits in the heart of Jamaica. Stroll hand-in-hand on perfect white sandy beaches with clear blue skies above. The famous Hip Strip (Jimmy Cliff Boulevard) offers an array of restaurants, bars, and shops. For a taste of the unexpected, explore the Rose Hall Great House, the largest existing sugar plantation mansion, renowned for its haunting tales of the White Witch, Annie Palmer, while sipping a witch's brew.

Ocho Rios and Runaway Bay lie in Jamaica's north-coast heart, near where Columbus first landed over 500 years ago. Island Village by the cruise pier offers casual dining, entertainment, souvenirs, and duty-free shopping. Dunn's River Falls and Waterpark is Ocho Rios's top attraction, with guided climbs or a waterfall massage. Coyaba Gardens and Mahoe Falls feature intricate water gardens and Jamaican Spanish architecture, while Shaw Park Botanical Gardens spans 25 acres of tropical beauty.

Relax in Punta Cana's Caribbean bliss: sugar-fine beaches, sapphire surf, palm-lined shores, and warm sun. Visit Hoyo Azul, a turquoise freshwater lagoon at the base of a 200-foot cliff. Explore a pristine nature park, dine at world-class resorts, learn about sugarcane, or sail and watch for dolphins.

Old San Juan, the oldest city under U.S. jurisdiction and second-oldest European settlement in the Americas, blends historic landmarks, pristine beaches, great cuisine, and resilience. Walk cobblestoned streets past Spanish Colonial sites, browse colorful plazas, and visit Castillo San Felipe del Morro, Castillo San Cristobal, and Museo de Arte de Puerto Rico. Then explore El Yunque's rainforest and waterfalls before relaxing on Luquillo Beach.

Spend a glorious day swimming at famed Cane Bay Garden Beach, hiking the island's rainforest and enjoying a scenic drive around this lush island. Swim with dolphins, go sea kayaking or head over to Virgin Gorda and climb down to the famous Baths for a day of swimming and exploring this natural phenomenon. Take home charming local crafts, straw items, artwork and resort wear. Enjoy local fish dishes or perhaps a pub lunch or burger!

St. Maarten is the smallest piece of land shared by two sovereign states. Legend has it that the Dutch and French boundaries of the island were determined by two men who challenged one another in a race around the island, with the Frenchman walking faster and claiming more land. Legend or not, both the Dutch and French settled here in the 1630s and despite occupancy by the British twice, the Dutch and French have lived peacefully together ever since they arrived.

One of the Caribbean's true gems, St. Barts is where Riviera chic meets Caribbean cool. Day-trippers come from nearby islands for the duty-free shopping, excellent dining and to lounge on the soft, white sands in a secluded palm-fringed cove. Tour Fort Gustav and Fort Carl, historic reminders of Sweden's short-lived Caribbean possession. Excursions abound, inviting guests to snorkel, sail over the clear blue waters on a catamaran, or horseback ride through shaded jungle trails.

Antigua, especially St. John's, is a classic British Caribbean destination, with 365 beaches, coral reefs, forts, and colonial architecture. See St. John's Cathedral, rebuilt on the same spot three times after earthquakes, and the Museum of Antigua & Barbuda, with island history and semiprecious stones. For nature, visit Nelson's Dockyard National Park or the Shirley Heights trail. St. John's also has nightlife and live music, and local restaurants serve buttery "flying fish."

From duty-free shopping and Seven Mile Beach to the Cayman Islands National Museum, Pedro St. James National Historic Site, Queen Elizabeth II Botanic Park, and a rum distillery tour, this quaint capital offers something for everyone.

Galveston, on a barrier island off Texas's northern Gulf Coast, blends preserved Victorian architecture with beaches. Stroll the Strand for 19th-century brick facades, boutiques, and eateries. Visit Moody Gardens for marine life, a rainforest, and science exhibits. Explore museums on seaport history, WWII naval vessels, railroads, and offshore oil. Finish with Gulf seafood at waterfront restaurants.