The beating heart of the Brazilian rainforest, this bustling frontier town recalls the rubber boom, especially the Belle Époque opera house with marble halls and 198 Murano glass chandeliers. Hear Verdi or Mozart under frescoed ceilings amid the steamy jungle. Outside, the Rio Negro meets but doesn't merge with the Rio Solimões, where pink dolphins, manatees, otters, waterfalls, wild orchids, spider monkeys and jaguars fill the rivers and trails.

Tap into Amazonian rhythms in Parintins, where indigenous life and Brazil's carnival culture entwine. Explore winding tributaries by riverboat and fish for piranha in secluded coves, or trek to villages swathed in jungle. Carnival fever burns year-round as artisans tirelessly toil over fantastical floats and elaborate dresses for the annual Boi-Bumbá Festival, here in the beating heart of the Amazon.

This secluded Amazon beach town feels Caribbean, with crystal-clear waters, white sands, and village access to Love Island, Green Lake, and giant water lilies up to 3m across. From here, see the "Meeting of the Waters," where the Amazon and Rio Tapajós flow side by side without merging. Explore Tapajós National Forest for jungle cats, giant armadillos, parrots, and white-bellied spider monkeys.

Please note that the call to Macapá is a technical call required for clearance by the Brazilian authorities. Guests will not be able to disembark during this time. The clearance process includes a safety inspection, health inspection, and immigration formalities. Depending on the complexity, this may take several hours.

British influence is evident on Tobago, Trinidad's smaller sibling. Scarborough, with the 18th-century ruins of Fort King George, bears little resemblance to its Yorkshire namesake. Bacolet Bay Beach offers golden sand below hillside mansions. Beyond the city, visit Argyle Waterfall, Atlantic-facing Speyside, Little Tobago seabird sanctuary, the bioluminescent waters of Buccoo Reef Marine Park, and the feather-soft sands of Pigeon Point.

Explore romantic St Lucia: hike the UNESCO-listed Pitons, soak in volcanic mud baths, relax on black sand beaches, visit botanical gardens, and trek tropical jungle plantations of banana, coconut, and mango. Cruise calm Caribbean or choppy Atlantic waters by catamaran, boat, or kayak, swim under waterfalls, watch whales, and savor fresh mahi mahi with local Piton beer.

Soak up the ultimate wellbeing experience at a real life "Nature Island." Oxygenate in lush rainforests, revive under waterfalls, convene in thermal sprint waters, and detox in volcanic mud baths. Trek Morne Trois Pitons National Park, a UNESCO jewel with the Mother Nature's rarest flora and fauna. Stir-up true Caribbean soul food; taste callaloo soup; sip spiced rum; and learn how herbs can heal. To cap it all, you can even snorkel in the bubbles of uber-healthy Champagne Reef.

Philipsburg is the capital of Dutch Sint Maarten on the island shared with French Saint Martin. Set beside Great Bay, its colorful streets are lined with Dutch shops selling chocolates, cheeses, and luxury goods. Enjoy kayaking in blue waters, reef diving, horseback rides on plantation trails, casinos, or golf by the sea. Every moment feels royal.

Explore America's oldest city for Caribbean history, Spanish culture, and the American dream. Wander Old San Juan's alleys past centuries-old forts and colorful colonial buildings. Learn to move to salsa and reggae, shop boho streets or luxe boutiques for artisan goods, designer pieces, and hand-rolled cigars. Enjoy world-class surfing, a tropical rainforest, a private rum cocktail tasting, and empanadas. End on beautiful beaches with crystal-clear water and maybe one last rum cocktail.