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San Juan to Colón

Embark on a voyage that’s bursting with colonial charm and blissful island interludes. Delve deep into the history of the Americas as you visit Santo Domingo, San Juan, and Cartagena – three of the oldest colonial cities in the New World. After 500 years their forts are still imposing and their magnificent historical districts still exude a timeless charisma with their graceful arches and wrought-iron balconies. The tiny islands of Isla Catalina and Isla Aroma make perfect intermissions from the past and are your gateway to vibrant coral reefs, picture-perfect Parque Nacional del Este with its Taíno caves and wildlife, and fascinating Kuna culture. Taste authentic mofongo, Dominican chocolate and Colombian coffee. Take a hands-on cooking class. Wander a botanical garden so resplendent it’s known for its birds as well as plant life. And enjoy two Windstar Signature Events: an onboard barbecue in Cartagena and beach party and barbecue in the San Blas Islands, each a delicious celebration of cuisine and local culture.

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Day 1: San Juan

The imposing façade of El Morro fortress is just one of the many UNESCO World Heritage Sites in San Juan. Admire the colorful colonial buildings from your casually elegant ship, docked right in the heart of Old San Juan.

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Day 2: Isla Catalina

Small Isla Catalina boasts gleaming white-sand beaches ringed by coral reefs beckoning snorkelers. The island is a protected Natural Park where one beach is completely protected from the wind and the sea is delightfully calm. While beaches occupy more than 2/3 of the coastline, Isla Catalina also has unique rocky coasts and cliffs. One of the best diving sites of the Dominican Republic, Muro, can be found here. It boasts an impressive underwater wall over 328 feet deep. Isla Catalina is also the only place in the D.R. where raccoons and wild hares can be found.

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Day 3: Santo Domingo

La Capital, as Santo Domingo is affectionately known, is a UNESCO site and one of the oldest cities in the Caribbean, with Zona Colonial buildings dating back to the 1500s. Santo Domingo is also considered the most modern metropolis in the Caribbean doing a great job of converging old and new. At the heart of the Zona Colonial, a pedestrian-friendly maze of cobblestones and interesting architecture is the first cathedral built in the New World. Find time to sample the aromatic coffee and cacao.

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Day 5: Cartagena

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.

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Day 6: Cartagena

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Day 7: San Blas, Panama

The San Blas Islands of Panama is an archipelago comprising approximately 378 islands and cays, of which 49 are inhabited, some by the Kuna people. Scattered over an area of about 100 square miles, the islands are the number 1 vacation destination in Panama although the Kuna work hard to protect their land against overwhelming tourism and keep the islands healthy and lovely, unique and untouched by culture. These white-sand and palm tree lined islands are encompassed by a coral reef and warm, crystal-clear water that is perfect for snorkeling and is home to a variety of marine life including dolphins, sharks and giant manta rays.

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Day 8: Colón

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.