Star Collector: Windward Islands & Spanish New World

Jolly old England comes to life in the city and its garrison, both UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Further afield, you'll find historic sugar plantations and the fairyland magic of Harrison's Cave.

Listen for the sound of a conch announcing the return of the fishing boats. Bobbing next to us are flotillas of pelicans - hinting at the excellent snorkeling waiting for you here and in neighboring Pirate's Bay.

With fewer than 300 inhabitants and miles of secluded beaches, it's easy to feel as if you're on your own private island. Saline Bay is a delightful anchorage that separates the Caribbean from the Atlantic - and a perfect place to play with some of the toys from the Watersports Platform.

Nestled in the shadows of the UNESCO Pitons, Soufriere represents the heart and soul of St. Lucia. The tiny town center is full of street vendors and stores and some of the best resorts on the island can be found here. Nearby are secluded waterfalls and the waters here boast some of the best diving around. Sights to see include the Edmund Rainforest Trail, fond Doux Holiday plantation, Robot Estate and the Gros Piton Nature Trail.

The ice cream colors of the stucco houses will draw your lens, as will the pink flamingos on the salt pans. But you'll need a waterproof camera to complete the portrait since more than 400 fish species and 50 types of coral wait beneath the surface

Savor the pastel colors of the historic UNESCO site Old Town and the way the elaborate Dutch gables cut baroque curlicues from the sky. It's the perfect appetizer for a day of watersports or an adventure below ground at the magical Hato Caves—filled with eerie limestone formations and ancient petroglyphs.

Known for having some of the best beaches in the Caribbean, this Dutch port makes it easy to just ... take it easy. Walk through town to choose your favorite carved wooden door, or spend the day like the Arubans do playing dominos at a beachside table.

Romantic Santa Marta has it all: history (Colombia's oldest city), natural beauty (from gentle bays and beaches to the highest coastal mountain range in the world), and its very own celebrity. Simon Bolivar ("The Liberator") is known as the George Washington of South America, and this was his Mount Vernon. Visit his beautiful estate or head to one of the two UNESCO Biosphere Reserves nearby.

Welcome to the sparkling city of Cartagena, where the gold and jewels of the Spanish Main awaited shipment across the Atlantic. No pirate could resist, nor will you be able to when you visit this historic city. The Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is surrounded by 400-year-old walls and contains a plethora of churches, fortresses, and restored colonial mansions. Outside the walls are more treasures: Climb the massive Castillo de San Felipe to investigate its maze of hidden tunnels, or shop for the perfect emerald.

Bocas del Toro on Bastimentos island was visited by Columbus in 1502 and then built up with colorful and Caribbean-style clapboard houses by the United Fruit Company in the early 20th century. Situated on the beautiful Bocas del Toro archipelago, the laid-back and friendly community is a great combination of races and ethnicities living harmoniously. West Indians, Latinos and Extraneros (the resident gringos) make this an easy place to feel right at home and embrace the relaxed Caribbean vibe of the town. Not far from town is the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, as well as two national parks, La Amistad and many banana plantations.

Explore the inner workings of the Panama Canal, head into the jungle to meet with Embera Indians, or take an aerial tram ride through the rainforest canopy.

Explore the inner workings of the Panama Canal, head into the jungle to meet with Embera Indians, or take an aerial tram ride through the rainforest canopy.