Windstar Cruises: Wind Spirit

There’s more to Panama than the canal. Panama’s ethnic mix is reflected in its arts. This is a proud nation that honors its many Indian tribes and its rich Spanish legacy. And with some of the finest deep-sea fishing, snorkeling and birding, once you embrace Panama, you’ll find it hard to leave.

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Cartagena is full of history and charm. At La Popa Monastery, you will have a panoramic view of the city and harbor. Enjoy the artisan center of Las Bovedas (The Dungeons), Plaza Bolivar, the Palace of Inquisition and the Church of San Pedro Claver, and shop for Colombian emeralds - the finest in the world.

Santa Marta is the cultural and historic center of Columbia's Sierra Nevada region. Be sure to visit the unspoiled beaches of the Parque Nacional Tayrona.

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Oranjestad, Aruba is a Dutch jewel with a tropical touch. In Oranjestad, Aruba's capital, explore the colorful floating market and Nassaustraat, brimming with quaint shops. Head for the beach where water sports abound: snorkeling, rides on glass bottom boats and submarines. Or venture into the countryside to see the haunts of the huge green parakeet, the unique rock gardens of Casi Bari, the curious divi divi tree, forever bending in the tradewind breezes.

Curacao's capital of Willemstad is lined with colorful Dutch buildings and offers some of the best shopping in all the Caribbean. At the foot of Queen Emma Bridge lies the well-preserved 18th century Fort Amsterdam. Nearby is the floating Shon Sha Capriles Kade Market, selling fresh fruits and vegetables. Also in town is the Jewish Historical and Cultural Museum. Just outside the city is the Curacao Museum displaying Caiquetio Indian relics and a colonial kitchen. Other sites include Botanical Garden and Zoo, Amstel Brewery and Curacao Distillery. For those who long to soak up the sun, the beaches on this island are spectacular.

Discover the treasures of the quaint capital of Kralendijk - a shopper's paradise.

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A lively blend of French and English cultures, St. George's has steep hills to climb, spectacular views to photograph and a rum distillery to tour. St George's has one of the prettiest harbour settings in the Caribbean. Tourist infrastructure is still generally small-scale and locally owned and offers a good balance between comfort and price, making Grenada a great getaway for those who want to avoid the resort experience.

Tossed like a tiny emerald among the Grenadines' 100 islands is Mayreau. In this idyllic spot there are no cars, just one tiny village and one resort, hidden away
in the palms.

The island’s capital, Bridgetown, is one of the Caribbean's major free ports, bustling with activity. Trafalgar Square features the monument to Horatio Nelson. Facing the square are handsome structures of the House of Assembly and the Legislative buildings. George Washington worshipped at St. Michael’s Cathedral during the only trip he made outside of the United States. Housed in former British military prison buildings, the Barbados Museum is divided into various galleries that feature exhibits depicting the history of Barbados from the pre-Columbian period to modern times.
Built in 1816, Gun Hill Signal Station is the finest of several signal stations on the island. The white limestone lion behind the garrison is a well-known landmark. Barbados boasts excellent golf courses. A wide range of watersports is available at hotels and special watersports centers.

With the island’s colonial background, the capital Roseau features both historic and modern buildings. Situated above town, on the slopes of Morne Bruce, are the beautiful Botanic Gardens with rare native and imported plants. The prominent 18th-century Fort Young is now part of the Fort Young Hotel complex.

Pigeon Island is located in the north of St Lucia. It is drier, with thorn scrub and cactus, and is home to colonies of seabirds. St Lucia is an independent island in the south-eastern Caribbean Sea, one of the Windward Islands close to Barbados, Martinique and St Vincent.

Pastoral and far off the beaten track, the Saintes are a cluster of eight islands off the southern coast of Guadeloupe. In Bourg, the charming hamlet on Terre-de-Haut, the largest isle, you can wander peaceful streets past small houses, then follow the narrow road out of town through fields and hills to a sweeping strand of secluded beach.

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There was never any hope of lucrative sugar plantations in St.Barths. It was too dry, too steep, too rocky, and, finally, too small. Unsuitable for agriculture, the island was never coveted as a prize during the colonial wars of the 18th century. The place had a serviceable harbor, and this allowed the town that grew around it, Gustavia, to play a key role in that intermittent conflict, a role that was to presage much of its future. Overflowing warehouses surrounded a harbor packed with ships from many nations, and a mercantile and architectural tradition was established that has lingered to the present day. Today, Gustavia has adjusted itself to satisfy the increasing number of visiting tourists. Restaurants, boutiques, and gift shops now line streets once busy with merchants, merchant seamen, and adventurers.

Basseterre, St. Kitts’ capital, still shows signs of colonial architecture. However, its setting against the emerald green hills ensures a distinct Caribbean ambiance. Many travelers agree Basseterre is one of the prettiest of the Caribbean’s small capitals.

The island of St. Martin is divided between French St. Martin in the north and Dutch St. Maarten in the south. Although the cultural flow transcends any borders, each side manages to retain its own distinct flavor. This 37-square-mile island promises beautiful vistas, first-rate water sports and stunning beaches. Philipsburg is the capital of Dutch St. Maarten. Its two main streets, Frontstreet and Backstreet, are bustling thoroughfares lined with shops and restaurants.