Deal

The subject of numerous songs, the setting for countless movies and TV shows, a bigger star than the celebrities who call it home… New York City needs little introduction. From the glittering skyscrapers of its financial heart to the green lung of Central Park, the priceless masterpieces of its world-class museums to the dazzling lights of Times Square – icons exist at every turn. There’s Broadway and Wall Street, Fifth Avenue and 42nd Street, but take time, too, to explore its lesser-known corners, such as the 28-acre Wave Hill public gardens in the Bronx, the colourful, restaurant-lined Doyers Street in Chinatown, and the 19th-century mansions of Victorian Flatbush.

Formerly a strategic base for Britain’s Royal Navy, this Bermudan port is now a bustling hub with historic buildings and wharves that house art galleries, craft markets, boutiques, and restaurants.

There are endless treasures to be discovered: uncover Bermuda’s fascinating past at the National Museum, dive among shipwrecks and colourful coral reefs in the warm waters surrounding the island, explore the dramatic limestone formations of Crystal Caves, and stroll the distinct blush-pink-sand beaches that Bermuda is famous for. End your day the Bermudan way – with a punchy rum swizzle cocktail.

St. John’s is the compact, colourful capital of twin-island nation Antigua and Barbuda and an ideal base for exploring all that the islands have to offer. Step off the ship straight into the heart of the action: wander bustling markets; admire pretty, pastel-hued buildings; and discover historic sites like the neo-Baroque St. John’s Cathedral and the Museum of Antigua and Barbuda, housed in the 18th-century Old Court House. Many of Antigua’s beaches are within easy reach of St. John’s, so take your pick. Dickenson Bay is a hit with swimmers and snorkellers for its calm, clear waters, while the powdery sands of Runaway Beach are perfect for more secluded relaxation.

The lively French-Caribbean city of Pointe-à-Pitre sits at the heart of the butterfly-shaped Guadeloupe archipelago. Beautiful beaches, turquoise lagoons, and lush jungle are a short drive from the port, but it’s worth carving some time out to explore the pulsing centre. Stroll the narrow streets to discover bold murals and colourful Creole houses; visit the famous Saint-Antoine Market for punchy spices and heady aromas; sample local cuisine like accras (salt cod fritters) and ti’ punch (a traditional rum cocktail); and admire the distinctive yellow façade of the 19th-century Cathédrale Saint-Pierre-et-Saint-Paul.

The pretty, red-roofed harbour town of Gustavia is the beating heart of stylish St. Barts. High-end boutiques, ritzy restaurants, and iconic cocktail bars pepper the palm-fringed streets, while mere minutes from the town centre, you’ll find pristine stretches of sand and sparkling waters. Take your pick from dozens of beaches: Anse de Flamands presents camera-ready scenery, Baie de St-Jean has chic beachside bistros, and Anse du Grand Cul-de-Sac is a snorkeller’s paradise. Just don’t be surprised if you encounter an A-lister or two – the French-speaking Caribbean island has long been the preferred playground of billionaires and big-name movie stars.

Puerto Rico’s capital makes a strong impression – even before you arrive on shore. Sailing into the harbour, keep an eye out for El Morro, a 16th-century citadel and UNESCO World Heritage Site, Castillo San Cristobal, a fearsome fortress built to scare away invaders, and La Fortaleza, the impressive official residence of the Governor of Puerto Rico. Once ashore, step back in time along cobbled streets and through squares flanked by pastel-coloured Spanish colonial buildings. Or take your pick of beaches – will it be the golden-sanded Isla Verde, the snorkeler-approved El Escambrón, or the laid-back Ocean Park? Just don’t leave San Juan without sampling a piña colada (or two) – the tropical cocktail was invented here in the 1950s.

Basseterre is the compact coastal capital of the Caribbean island St. Kitts, where verdant hills and sugar-white sands meet architectural artefacts of French and British colonial rule. The town centre is anchored by Independence Square – formerly Pall Mall Square – an 18th-century plaza with an ornate fountain and lush lawn, while nearby, the Georgian-inspired Circus is modeled after London’s own Piccadilly. Venture just beyond the city to explore the UNESCO-listed Brimstone Hill Fortress National Park, an 18th-century British-built fortress that offers sweeping views and serves as a striking reminder of the island’s layered history.

Stunning and dramatic, the emerald green Pitons rise from azure waters on this magical isle of quaint bays and lush landscapes and delightful strains of Creole.

From its gorgeous beaches and colourful marine life to its lush rainforest interior, tiny Tobago is the quintessential, picturesque Caribbean island; and it is a world apart from bigger, brasher Trinidad with which it forms a twin-nation. Tobago’s sleepy capital Scarborough is a place for gentle ambling; take in the Scarborough Botanical Gardens whose 17 acres feature orchids, silk-cotton trees and vibrant bromeliads; and visit Fort King George, built by the British in 1777, beautifully maintained and offering expansive sea views. Then explore further afield. About eight miles wide and 30 long, the island is easy to get around by bus or taxi. To the west is Pigeon Point with one of the most renowned beaches; to the north is equally striking Stonehaven Bay. Follow hiking trails in the lush forests; join a tour of Tobago Cocoa plantation; enjoy a glass-bottomed boat ride to vibrant Buccoo Reef.

One of three tiny dots just off the coast of north-eastern Brazil that make up the Salvation Islands, Devil’s Island gets its fearsome name from the shark-infested waters and dangerous currents that surround it. Little wonder, then, that France thought it would make the perfect spot to house dangerous prisoners from 1852 to 1952. A penal colony was built on all three of the Salvation Islands, with Devil’s Island being reserved for political prisoners, including Captain Alfred Dreyfus, who was unjustly charged with spying for Germany. Conditions were notoriously terrible, with violence and disease rampant. Today, Devil’s Island is closed to all visitors but the remains of the penal colony on Isle Royale, where you’ll dock, make for fascinating, if sobering, viewing.

In the thrumming capital of the state of Ceará, miles of caramel-coloured shores stretch along the crescent-shaped mouth of the Pajeú River. This is the place to settle in for caipirinhas on the sands at one of the many barracas (beach stalls) and soak up Brazilian beach life (head to the north end of Praia do Futuro for the best spots). In this dynamic country, a cultural fix is never far away; here that is the Dragão Center, a head-turning contemporary art gallery and fascinating museum dedicated to the traditional way of life. Pick up hand-crafted ceramics and lacework at the central market to bring some mementos home.

Maceió, the Indigenous word for “spring”, with its watery backdrop of cyclic lagoons and lush mangroves, is a historic port with origins in 19th-century sugar trade. Today, you’ll find a modern beachfront city surrounded by powder-sand beaches strung along the coast either side of the harbour. But before you dive into those turquoise Atlantic waters, take in the dockside’s Belle Époque buildings, the vibrant craft market at adjoining Pajucara beach, and several enticing museums including the Théo Brandão Anthropology and Folklore Museum, set in a renovated seafront mansion. There’s also a striking sculpture by Oscar Niemeyer, architect of the country’s capital, Brasilia.

Brazil’s boundless energy is celebrated in Salvador de Bahia, a soulful, intoxicating city with a reputation for decadence and fun set on a tropical coastline. But look beyond the street parties to discover Salvador’s history as the centre of the sugar industry and slave trade, which has profoundly shaped its character. This is the heartland of Afro-Brazilian culture, and the legacy of the millions of enslaved people brought to Brazil from the 16th century permeates every aspect of life, from culture to food and religion.

Cradled between verdant mountains and long swaths of golden sands, Brazil’s seaside metropolis never fails to captivate with its combination of striking natural beauty and cosmopolitan charisma. Get up close to the iconic, open-armed Christ the Redeemer statue andsoak in the views of the city unfurling below you; mingle with friendly cariocas (Rio residents) over caipirinhas (cocktails made from sugar cane liquor, sugar, lime, and ice) on Copacabana Beach; and stroll the winding streets of the historic Santa Teresa neighborhood. Should you happen to visit during the world-famous Carnival, prepare to get swept up insamba rhythms and street parties.