ACAPULCO

• Mexico's premier resort basks along the shore of a sunning bay. At one end, the old city is typically Spanish with vibrant markets and a splendid cathedral. At La Quebrada, the famous divers make their living defying death - unmissable. Further along the bay, the new section of the city boasts soaring hotels, luxurious restaurants and world-class shopping. Sporty types can enjoy everything from water-skiing to para-gliding to deep sea fishing. For the less active, a chilled margarita at a pavement cafe may appeal more.

BAR HARBOR

• Maine is famous for its huge fresh lobsters and fat succulent clams, and there's no place better to test their claims to fame than the scenic, seafaring town of Bar Harbor - especially when it's transformed by the vivid colours of autumn.

BOSTON

• Among Americans and those who know it, Boston enjoys a reputation as one of America's most pleasant cities. You might perhaps take a stroll along the famous Freedom Trail, visit a tall ship - and browse through the chic boutiques of Faneuil Hall, once the city's oldest market.

BOCA DO VALERIO - BRAZIL

• A tiny village of just 80 inhabitants. Although they are becoming more used to their infrequent visitors, by and large the life you see has not changed for hundreds of years. Make sure to go home with some of the off-beat souvenirs.

HALIFAX

• Presided over by its commanding Citadel, Halifax is surrounded by scenic delights such as the sparkling lakes of neighbouring Dartmouth, its splendid Public Gardens and lovely fishing villages such as Peggy's Cove with its sandy beaches and tidy houses.

HAMILTON

• Not only are Bermuda's landscapes awash with colour - from the famous pink sands of its beaches to the soft pastels adorning the walls of its houses. So are its residents - but here you'll seldom find anything less than stylish: even the length of residents' shorts is determined by decree.

NEWPORT

• In Newport, they call them "cottages" - you'd probably call them dazzling mansions. As you stroll through some of the opulent residences now open to the public in the town that calls itself the world's yachting capital, you may wonder at the marvellous wealth their inhabitants enjoyed in days gone by.

NEW YORK

• Sailing into this City, day or night, is one of the most memorable cruising moments. Here are some of the world's most famous sights, from the Statue of Liberty to the Empire State Building. And don't forget Fifth Avenue and Broadway.

PORTLAND

• Intimate coves, pine-clad shore and secluded harbour villages have made 'down east' Maine a sought-after retreat. Try a stroll through the Old Port Exchange District, where historic buildings have been converted into smart shops and restaurants serving the succulent clams and lobsters that have made Maine famous.

SAN FRANCISCO

• ne of the most sought after destinations possesses a unique charm and a cosmopolitan atmosphere. No wonder so many people leave their hearts here. You'll sail under the vast Golden Gate Bridge and past the forbidding island of Alcatraz to dock a short ride from the seafood restaurants of Fisherman's Wharf. From there, take a cable car past Lombard Street - the crookedest street in the world - to the mysterious stores and fantastic restaurants of the city's extensive Chinatown? For a day out of town, Sausalito is an arty and bohemian town across the bay, while a Muir Wood you'll crick your neck as you gaze up at the immense redwoods.

VANCOUVER

• Welcome to the wide open space of Canada - and one of the most welcoming cities anywhere. From the moment you spy Vancouver¹s futuristic pier, designed to resemble a clipper-ship at sea, you'll realise you've reached a very special city. Ultra-modern skyscrapers flank the second largest Chinatown in North America. Stanley Park offers sweeping vistas, splendid bathing and a real escape from city life. And to see where it all started, don't miss Gastown. Once the boisterous heart of the city, today it's an immaculately restored area centred on a unique, steam powered clock.