14 Nights Caribbean, Southern

<table> <tr> <td valign="top" colspan="2" class="pageTextLrg"> The city that never sleeps is quite possibly the world's most illustrious city. Known for its brazen streets, glamorous lifestyles and intriguing crowds, the Big Apple is home to a dizzying number of world-renowned attractions, including the Statue of Liberty, Times Square, Fifth Avenue, Central Park and Broadway.</td> </tr> </table>

"Sweet Sugar City" is a fertile isle dominated by a verdant rainforest, volcanic slopes and sugar cane fields. Cool trade winds caress its shores, and the brilliant golden sun warms the exotic black sand. Petroglyphic symbols and human figures are a testament to the island's ancient, pre-Columbian history.

The largest of the British Virgin Islands is situated about 60 miles east of Puerto Rico. Tortola's mountain peaks are covered with frangipani and sage on its southern coast, while its northern shores boast powder-white sand beaches, banana and mango groves and swaying palm trees.

A staunchly British Antiguan port, St. John's has, according to legend, a beach for each day of the year. Solidly West Indian in flavor, the capital is awash is weathered, pastel-colored houses, intoxicatingly colorful markets, restored buildings and stoic forts.

The capital of St. Kitts has shook off hurricanes, earthquakes, floods and fires and has morphed into an unpretentious British-flavored retreat. Victorian stone block buildings laced with gingerbread trim and black and grey sand beaches are the city's most notable attractions.

The capital and commercial centre of Saint Lucia has been devastated by fire several times. Its lush, dense forests, lovely Marigot Bay and charming French atmosphere are all impossible to forget. Historic buildings remain, as does the harbour derived from the crater of an extinct volcano.

If variety is the spice of life, then Grenada is the taste of the tropics. The intoxicating aromas of nutmeg, cinnamon, and cloves fill the air wherever you go. Take your pick of 45 sun-kissed beaches to lounge on, or hit the jungle-covered mountain range for more rugged adventures. Stroll through the 125-year-old Sendall Tunnel to reach the Carenage waterfront promenade. Cruise to Grenada and grab a seat at an open-air café and admire the steep streets lined with colonial buildings and colorful 18th-century warehouses. And holding true to its nickname of Spice Island, you'll find several spice plantations and estates here too.

The largest of the Netherlands Antilles has its fair share of Dutch colonial buildings, but its dry climate, barren soil and cacti are more akin to the U.S. Southwest. Its greatest beauty lies offshore?the island's coral reefs. Volcanic pebbles make up many of its rocky beaches.

Colonial architecture comprises much of Aruba's bright and breezy capital, which is located just south of the main resort area. Orangestad is extremely popular because of its abundance of boutiques and duty-free shops. Local bars provide great opportunities to socialize with the locals.

This vast array of wonderful beaches offers you opportunities to swim with the dolphins in a tropical lagoon and come face-to-face with alligators during an Everglades airboat tour. Or stroll through a tropical rainforest while hundreds of butterflies flutter above you.