Palm Beach Travel Guides and Tours

Come discover the Caribbean and the Panama Canal. From Holland America’s Private island of Half Moon Cay to the unspoiled charms of Costa Rica, from the Dutch Antilles of Aruba and Curacao to the unforgettable Panama Canal and Costa Rica, this is the Hidden Caribbean. See the Eighth Wonder of the Modern World - The Panama Canal! The dream to cut a path across Panama to shorten the dangerous journey around South America's Cape Horn began with the Spanish explorers in the 16th-century. The Frenchman Ferdinand de Lesseps began the effort after his triumphant completion of the Suez Canal in 1879. His plan collapsed into bankruptcy in 1889, and President Theodore Roosevelt took up the cause in 1902. A river was dammed to create what was then the world's largest artificial lake. An eight-mile channel was cut through a mountain range and more than 200 million cubic yards of earth and stone were cleared. Six immense locks, with walls 1,000 feet long and 81 feet high, took four years to build. The massive doors on the locks each weigh nearly 750 tons. Working conditions for the more than 35,000 laborers were excruciatingly difficult. Typhoid, malaria and other tropical diseases were a constant threat, and temperatures often rose to 130 degrees.Even with all the travails, this marvel of human ingenuity was finally completed in 1913, a year ahead of schedule and $23 million under budget. The first vessel through the Canal was the tugboat, Gatun, which fulfilled a dream hundreds of years in the making. 11 Days • 29 Meals

An Eastern delight...from the bustling excitement of the big cities to the fun and sun of Florida's beaches. Experience the variety of New Orleans - Bourbon Street, Cajun food and all that jazz! This adventure travels a land rich in scenery, culture, fantasy and invention.

Experience everything from the down-home charm of the deep South to the canyons and national parks of the desert Southwest, from the beaches and attractions of Florida in the East to the nightlife and wildlife of the West. Discover the South and Southwest, up-close and personal, while traversing seventeen states.

Visit ghost towns and exciting cities, explore this continent's breathtaking National Parks and unspoilt scenery - on this once in a lifetime 9 week all encompassing adventure!!

Featuring: The Great Barrier Reef, Cairns * 2 nights twin share accommodation onboard the purpose built boat (incl. linen) * 2 breakfasts * 3 lunches * 2 dinners * Transfers from your Cairns accommodation to the boat * 11 dives, including 2 night dives (weather permitting) * Dive & snorkeling equipment * Dive insurance

Airport transfers on days 1 and 13 Twin-bedded rooms in hotels listed or similar; hotel taxes, service charges, and tips for baggage handling 12 breakfasts (B), 3 lunches (L) and 4 three-course dinners (D) Services of a professional Tour Director Private luxury motorcoach with air-conditioning and reclining seats Inter-island flights Oahu/Hawaii, Hawaii/Maui, Maui/Kauai and Kauai/Oahu Complete sightseeing program as detailed in the itinerary Inside visits and special features as shown in the tour description including admission charges where applicable Portfolio of travel documents BRENDAN HOTELS Superior First Class (DHLP) HONOLULU KONA MAUI KAUAI