More than 300 years of British rule have left their mark. The whole of Bridgetown, Barbados' historic center, with its colonial architecture surrounding National Heroes Square, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Gentle green hilly countryside and endless fields of sugar cane characterize the island's landscape. Old colonial houses are reminders of the high life of the plantation owners. The sweeping coastline is a postcard-worthy view of fine sandy beaches and turquoise sea surrounded by colorful coral reefs. Explore Bridgetown, then board your ship and set sail on your adventure. 

Bequia is actually the largest island in the Grenadines, but still small and tranquil. Elegant sailing yachts sway in the natural shelter of Admiralty Bay, while in lovely Port Elizabeth, with its attractive beach bars, you are right in the heart of a lifestyle that likes to take things easy. You can find Princess Margaret Beach just nearby, named because it was once visited by the British royal. On the eastern coast you can find the Old Hegg Turtle Sanctuary, which focuses on rearing and caring for endangered turtles.

Two famous volcanic cones are indisputably the emblem of St Lucia and have been designated as UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Gros and Petit Piton tower over the southern, windward side of the island and, in Soufrière, seem close enough to touch. The volcanoes have in fact long been extinct, but the nearby sulfur springs still bubble up. In the Botanical Gardens, natural abundance is combined with artistic arrangements to create a colorful tropical paradise. 

Dominica, nicknamed the "Nature Isle" of the Caribbean, is one of the most untouched of the Windward Islands. It boasts some of the highest mountains in the Lesser Antilles, as well as many beautiful national parks. Its interior is characterized by thick virgin forest, where rivers plunge into the depths and tiny streams wind through the jungle. Two extinct volcanoes are at the centre of the Cabrits National Park and, recaptured by nature, the former strategically important Fort Stanley appears like a picturesque backdrop in the heart of the jungle.

Îles des Saintes is a small archipelago which was disputed for a long time until it finally became French in 1816. In the charming main town of Terre-de-Haut, take a stroll along the waterfront promenade. Boutiques, cafés, bars and restaurants invite you to browse and spend some time here, against a backdrop of the pastel shades of the Caribbean. Fort Napoleon is set high above the bay and the climb up to it is rewarded by a spectacular panoramic view. On the other side of the island, the Plage de Pompierre invites you to enjoy a dip in the sea and sunbathe on the beach.

St. Barthélemy, affectionately known as St. Barths by most, had already had many "owners" before the Lesser Antilles were acquired by France in 1877. In the 1950s, it became a refuge for the international jet set and an elegant holiday paradise for many Hollywood stars. For over 40 years, St. Barths has cultivated a luxurious lifestyle with a Caribbean laissez-faire approach. Stroll through the charming main town of Gustavia, whose beautifully restored houses and colonial facades look out over the sea with its elegant yachts, browse in the shops for precious items, or enjoy a sundowner in the picturesque harbor surrounded by clusters of high class bars and restaurants.

Explorers and privateers once crossed swords in the Sir Francis Drake Channel. Today, the sea around the British Virgin Islands is one of the world's best sailing areas. Heavenly bays, gorgeous beaches, idyllic anchoring spots, smart yacht clubs and charming little beach bars make the island a popular haunt for sailors. On Virgin Gorda, once called "The Fat Virgin" by Columbus due to its shape, you can find The Baths, one of nature's most beautiful oddities, in the National Park. Ground to spheres and polished to a shine, the huge granite formations on the beach and in the water create a multi-branched labyrinth of giant boulders and channels of water perfect for swimming and snorkeling.

Today relax aboard your ship as you cruise to your next destination.

On the island of Hispaniola, Columbus founded the first Spanish colony in America. Santo Domingo, the present capital of the Dominican Republic, is the oldest European-founded city in the New World. "Old" in the New World still means relatively young - it corresponds to Renaissance visions of the ideal, and was the model for many cities in Latin America. A visit to the historic old city is like a journey through time: the splendid stone buildings are remnants of the era of colonial conquests, and have been protected as UNESCO-designated World Heritage Sites. After breakfast, disembark the ship to explore the city before heading home or continuing on your independent journeys.