region

On the eastern coast of Crete lies the island’s capital and largest urban center, Heraklion. A lively port city on the surface, millennia of history lie beneath its modern facade. Turkish fountains lie within the modern bustling city center and Venetian buildings and Minoan fortresses transport visitors back in time. See Minoan art and artifacts at the Heraklion Archeological Museum and explore the impressive Koules fortress for a view of Heraklion’s past before roaming the city’s plazas.

Situated on the heel of Italy’s boot overlooking the glittering Adriatic Sea, Brindisi is a natural port carved into a region known for its whitewashed marble and peaceful beaches. There’s much to explore along the picturesque harbor, from the rudder-shaped Monument to Italian Sailors, which you can scale for panoramic views, to the red stone Castello Alfonsino at the tip of a small island overlooking the channel.

Set along the scenic Turkish Riviera, Alanya is a resort town on the central Mediterranean coast with long stretches of powdery beaches, the most famous of which is named for the Egyptian queen who reputedly swam there. The white sands of Cleopatra Beach slope gently down into crystal blue waters where you could easily spend an entire day, although there is much more to Alanya than its shoreline. The ancient walls of Alanya Castle stretch for miles along a high promontory offering exceptional views of the modern city of Alanya below.

For over a century, the Panama Canal has been a vital artery nourishing the world’s economy, with hundreds of passenger ships, cargo ships and tankers sailing through the canal’s original locks every month. The massive engineering feat makes it possible for ships to transit large bodies of water in just hours rather than circumnavigating the entirety of South America to reach their final destination. This man-made marvel is a bucket list item for many world travelers--whether sailing through or exploring on foot, the Panama Canal is one of Panama’s most popular attractions.

Panama’s capital, described as the “crossroads of the world”, sits right at the heart of the country and serves as the main artery into the rest of the country. The number of skyscrapers that line Panama City’s skyline is ever-growing, and the pace of life is never slow. Even with the modernity and constant change, the city’s history remains well-preserved for all to see. See what’s left of the original Panama City at Panama Viejo dating back to the 1600s and spend an afternoon walking the cobblestoned historic center, Casco Viejo.

Set on a horseshoe bay, San Juan del Sur is a fun beachside party town surrounded by postcard-worthy beaches and mountains carving out an incredible coastal view.

Corinto, Nicaragua’s largest port, is a quiet village on the tropical Pacific coast and serves as an inlet to the rest of the country. Long stretches of white sand and clear blue waters welcome travelers to the quaint port town teeming with history and culture. Travel to the nearby city of León and visit the largest cathedral in Central America and see the ruins of León Viejo, one of the oldest settlements in the Americas, which was buried by a series of powerful earthquakes in 1610.

On the Pacific Coast, Puerto Quetzal is a cruiser’s entryway to Guatemala, with seemingly endless ways to explore the country. Just to the north is the small colonial town of Antigua, a UNESCO World Heritage Site filled with museums, churches, art galleries and cafes and situated between three volcanos.

Acajutla is El Salvador’s principal seaport on the Pacific coast. Visitors to this charming seaside resort are welcomed by friendly people enjoying marvelous beaches. At Los Cabanos Beach, divers can take an extended diving tour to see reefs and other marine life. Deep-sea and reef fishers can hop on a chartered boat and hit the water for an afternoon of fishing. For the more adventurous, just inland from the port, the forests of Apaneca are a prime spot for a zip-line tour with spectacular views.

Mother Nature was especially gracious when she created the ‘Nature Island’ of Dominica. Life here is less about pool parties and more about throwing yourself into an eco-adventure at one of the island’s many natural attractions, like its Boiling Lake or Champagne Reef. Sitting on Prince Rupert Bay, Portsmouth is the island’s second-largest town and a great base for visiting Cabrits National Park or Indian River.