15124, Maroysi, Athens, Greece
Miami, Cartagena, Puntarenas, Acajutla, Puerto Quetzal, Huatulco, Puerto Vallarta, Cabo San Lucas, San Diego
Founded by the Spanish colonists, on June 1, 1533, in a protected bay in the Caribbean Sea, Cartagena has the most extensive fortifications in South America. A system of zones divides the city into three neighbourhoods: downtown San Pedro, with the cathedral and many Andalusian-style palaces; quiet San Diego, where merchants and the middle class lived; and Gethsemani, the 'popular quarter' with plenty of night clubs. Its fortifications, constructed by the Spanish, are today a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The town the walls protected is also part of that World Heritage designation. Cruise visitors can walk those deeply textured alleyways today through some of the best-preserved colonial neighborhoods of the Americas. There are nice beaches ready to enjoy, such as the busy Bocagrande, which is close to the city and the quiet Playa Blanca, in the south, across the bay.
Our visit to Puntarenas, the capital and largest city in the Province of Puntarenas, on the Pacific coast of Costa Rica, is a discovery of the richness of the area. If you choose a nature tour, you will see the rainforest from up high during a canopy tour through wispy ferns, winding lianas and delicate orchids. There is also a possibility to taste nature’s bounty at one of the plantations which produce the country’s famously rich coffee. If you prefer to relax, just lay back, surrounded by lush palms and crystal clear waters. You may also choose a trip to Monteverde National Park (80 kms distance), which is considered a major ecotourism destination in Costa Rica, an island which may look small, but it conceals mysterious cloud forests, quiet beaches and extraordinary wildlife, that have granted her the title "The Switzerland of Central America".
Acajutla is a seaport city in Sonsonate Department, El Salvador. The city is located on the Pacific Coast of Central America and is El Salvador's principal seaport from which a large portion of the nation's exports of coffee, sugar, and Balsam of Peru are shipped. Spanish conquistador Pedro de Alvarado, under the command of Hernán Cortés, had conquered Mexico and Guatemala before coming to the vicinity of Acajutla. There he met heavy resistance, but defeated the indigenous people in 1524 and conquered all of present-day El Salvador at the Battle of Acajutla. The port of Acajutla was built in its initial phase at a cost of 25 million colones. The wave breaker of 338 meters inaugurated its operations in August 1961, and is managed by the Executive Commission of Autonomous Port (CEPA).
Guatemala's largest Pacific Ocean port is also the gateway to some of the most fascinating and beautiful sightseeing in the country. Head north, through plantations where the air is perfumed with sugar cane and coffee, across mountain ridges overlooking beautiful Lake Atitlan, take a rigorous hiking trip on Pacaya Volcano with a countryside drive or a full-day tour from the coast, past volcano-guarded mountains, to the colonial capital of Antigua, where cobblestone streets and period architecture evoke the area's age-old Spanish colonial heritage. The charming town, located 4,500 feet above sea level, is also a UNESCO World Heritage site famous for both its colorful Spanish Mudéjar-influenced Baroque architecture and its many ruins of colonial churches. Naturalists can opt for Los Tarrales and a bird-watching trip to a nature reserve in the cloud forest or Auto Safari Chapin is a scenic drive through an open-air wildlife park. One tour of extreme historical interest is the Copan Route of the Mayas at Copan Archaeological Park.
Huatulco, also known as the Bahias de Huatulco, is a tourist development located on the Pacific coast of Oaxaca state. Huatulco is known as one of the resort areas in Mexico that offers enough sand and sun. It is a beautiful place with a very laid back atmosphere. Huatulco is one of the cleanest and greenest developments in Mexico, with populated areas interspersed with large green zones. Docking at Huatulco Port is one way to take advantage of the beautiful beaches, sparkling blue waters and perfect climate. This hot spot in Mexico presents nine various bays, unique scenery, and lots of amusing activities that are ideal for both families and couples, such as surfing and scuba diving. If you are fascinated with fun souvenirs, beach attire and locally crafted pottery, you should go to La Crucecita. This is a huge market place. The Bahias de Huatulco National Park is one of the vital attractions in Huatulco. Vacationers can expect to see 9000 various plant species in the middle of the peaceful forest background. You can witness 701 species of birds, 264 species of mammals and 470 species of reptiles.
Squeezed into the thin space between Banderas Bay and the verdant folds of the Sierra Madre, Puerto Vallarta might no longer be the well-kept secret of the artists, writers and Hollywood stars who first "discovered" it in the 1960s, however, it still retains the essence of the fishing village it once was.
The Old Town, Viejo Vallarta, is a mix of red-tiled buildings, cobbled streets, chic shops and busy open markets. During your visit, don't miss a walk at Gringo Gulch- known as the most romantic spot in the world- a swim at Mismaloya Beach and Conchas Chinasand for extra doses of adrenaline, choose hiking into the rugged canyons and luxuriant jungles of the mountains.
Cabo San Lucas is the entertainment hub and the end of the road, along the southern tip of Baja California and is rated as one of Mexico's top 5 tourist destinations. San The Old town, San Jose del Cabo, exudes classic Mexico. In between the two cities, the resort-fringed coast is slathered in sunshine. Combine fine shopping, blue surf and big fish at beaches that shine: Lover's Beach, Playa Medano (the most popular, 3,2 kms long), Chileno and Las Playitas, a series of mini-beaches tucked into weathered coves. Land’s End is by far the most impressive attraction Cabo has to offer. Hop on a tourist boat (panga) and head to El Arco (the Arch), a distinctive rock formation at the southern tip of Cabo San Lucas. It is here that the Pacific Ocean meets the Sea of Cortez.
San Diego is a huge coastal city on the Pacific Ocean in Southern California. The city is located north of the Mexican border, across from Tijuana. San Diego is an incredible place to visit almost any time of the year due to its mild Mediterranean climate. The city’s landscape is shaped by canyons, flat lands and rolling hills. The Old Town is within walking distance from the port.