10 Nights Caribbean, Eastern

Spend the morning walking around Baltimore's Inner Harbor, where majestic tall ships reveal this East Coast city's rich maritime legacy. And be sure to visit the star-shaped Fort McHenry, birthplace of America's "Star-Spangled Banner" anthem.

Turks and Caicos is an excellent destination for divers and snorklers. Smith's Reef in Provo is one of the area's most popular dive spots, thanks to a diverse collection of sea creatures in a spectrum of electric colors. For a completely different vibe, explore the black coral and submerged overhangs of Black Forest or kayak the bright turquoise waters of Chalk Sound. Both the Caicos Conch Farm and the bird sanctuary on uninhabited French Cay offer unique ways to commune with local wildlife.

The Dutch capital of St. Maarten is widely known for colonial architecture. Its pastel buildings, often embellished with gingerbread and fretwork trim, surround shaded courtyards and hug cobblestone streets. Philipsburg has a well-earned reputation as a shopper's paradise, and local crafts, exotic foods and elegant imports are available at duty-free prices.

This Dominican island is renowned throughout the Caribbean for its straw work. Waterfalls, lakes, freshwater swamps and hiking trails serve as havens for naturalists and eco-tourists, and brightly painted buildings are eye candy for sightseers.

The capital of Martinique (and the largest city in the French West Indies) possesses a flavor more reminiscent of Paris than the Caribbean. Turn-of-the-century buildings housing boutiques and cafes, a public market and narrow streets are proof of this

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 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.

The capital of Puerto Rico and second oldest city in the Americas is a lively modern metropolis. Underscored by stunning beaches and cobblestone streets lined with churches, houses and mansions, the city is a unique fusion of resort atmosphere and world charm.