United States /Eastern Seaboard For curious
cruise travelers, North America's home shores are some
of the world's most splendid, encompassing the historic
landmarks of Baltimore, Charleston, New York & Philadelphia.
The eastern seaboard of the United States offers many
un-examined vistas for the world traveler...enjoy a
stroll through the tree-lined streets of the charming
historic downtown districts. With
the advent of Homeland cruising, many ports are now
offering cruises to the Caribbean, Bermuda and Canada/New
England, including New York, Boston, Norfolk, and Philadelphia.
From historically decorated homes to magnificent plantations,
the charm of these U.S. cities exude a rich mixture
of factual information and culture. Philadelphia is
one of the largest and most cosmopolitan cities in America.
It presents even to the veteran tourist, a rich array
of historic and cultural attractions, from Independence
Hall and the Liberty Bell to the Japanese House and
Garden in Fairmount Park. United
States - Port City - Baltimore Baltimore can
be found in the mid-Atlantic region of North America
just off the Chesapeake Bay along the Patapsco River
estuary. Today, Baltimore's claim to fame is the waterfront.
Hop on a Water Taxi at the Inner Harbor for a delightful
way to explore the waterfront. At the heart of it youll
find Harborplace & The Gallery, featuring a mix
of unique shops, restaurants and diverse eateries. The
floor-to-ceiling windows at Top of the World offer a
breathtaking panoramic view of Baltimore and beyond.
For five decades, the A-1 Crab Haven has been proudly
serving the finest seafood and steamed crabs that Maryland
has to offer. Or try Obrycki's, located at 1727 E. Pratt
Street in the area of Baltimore known as Fells Point.
There is so
much culture in Baltimore that many New Yorkers retire
here just so that they can enjoy the same kind of luminescent
stratosphere, but at a less frantic pace. In fact, many
of the visitors are neighbors from Pennsylvania, Virginia,
Delaware and other nearby states that enjoy the change
of scene and the call of the crab. Whether
you are sailing north or south from Baltimore, you will
find this city's closely knit neighborhoods and historic
quarters provide a fascinating backdrop to many diverse
attractions – such as the Inner Harbor's National Aquarium,
Pier 6 Concert Pavilion and Power Plant entertainment
complex along its celebrated waterfront. A diverse and
engaging city, Baltimore offers enough varied attractions
to please even the most sophisticated travelers. United
States - Port City - Charleston This beautiful
historic city has many interesting places to visit,
where you can immerse yourself in a time long gone by.
From historic houses to magnificent plantations, the
charm of this city exudes a rich mixture of history
and culture. Fort Sumter administered by the National
Park Service. Charleston Harbor, where the War between
the States began in April 1861. The Charles Pinckney
plantation in Mt. Pleasant was used for a camp by both
armies during the war. The Mt. Pleasant home is a rare
example of a small plantation cottage typical of the
Civil War era and earlier. Charleston's
cultural heritage is a mirror backdrop to Spoleto Festival
USA, which each spring rediscovers its roots in the
city's hospitable artistic traditions...Unparalleled
as an enduring and inspired entity of living theater,
dance, music, opera and the visual arts. There is nothing
better than a pail of steamed oysters to get you through
a winter day in Charleston.. or any kind of day. United
States - Port City - New York There is so much
to do in this exciting city! Enjoy New York Citys
outdoors in the world famous Central Park while savoring
a delicious hot dog or a soft chewy pretzel. Dubbed
the 'Great White Way' after its bright lights, Times
Square has long been celebrated as New York's glittery
crossroads.
For
iconic value, you can't surpass the Statue of Liberty,
the Empire State Building, Central Park and Times Square.
The Museum of Modern Art has to be one of the world's
top museums, and the Guggenheim Museum and American
Museum of Modern History aren't far behind. Bookshops,
food, theater, shopping, people: it doesn't really matter
what you do or where you go in New York because the
city itself is an in-your-face, exhilarating experience. United
States - Port City - Philadelphia Philadelphia,
one of the largest and most cosmopolitan cities in America,
offers a rich array of historic and cultural attractions,
from Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell to the Japanese
House and Garden in Fairmount Park. Although it's dear
to the hearts of America's fiercest flag-wavers, there's
a lot more to Philadelphia than the Liberty Bell and
Independence Hall. Cheered for their cheesesteaks and
hallowed for their hoagies, Philly's foodies recently
took the lion's share of Condé Nast Traveler's best-of-the-nation
restaurant recommendations, while the city itself was
voted the country's friendliest.
Philadelphia is easy to get around. It's laid out in
a grid and divided into four quadrants, each with its
own park; most of the major sights and accommodations
are within walking distance or a short bus ride or drive
from each other. Explore its small streets and alleys,
which give the city a European feel. South Philadelphia
has been settled by succeeding waves of immigrants:
from the Dutch and Swedish settlers of the 17th century,
through the Jewish and Italian arrivals in the 19th
and early 20th centuries, to the black, Hispanic and
Asian settlers of more recent years. The
White Dog Cafe is located in three adjacent Victorian
brownstones in the university section of Philadelphia's
west side. Known for it's unusual blend of award-winning
cuisine and social activism, the cafe presents numerous
events throughout the year which please palates while
raising consciousness. Le Bec-Fin. Rejecting invitations
to relocate to Manhattan, Los Angeles and Chicago, Chef
Perrier opted to continue his love affair with Philadelphia.
In 1983, Chef Perrier acquired an historic art deco
building at 1523 Walnut Street where he created what
is often referred to as the most elegant restaurant
in the country.
United States - Port City - Wilmington
Enjoy a stroll through the tree-lined streets of the
charming historic downtown district. This area is blessed
with a fine collection of meticulously restored Victorian,
Georgian, Italianate and antebellum homes, many of which
are still lived in. United
States - Port City - Washington DC National
capitals are renowned for being the least interesting
places to visit in any country, but Washington is an
exception. The most comfortable times to visit Washington
are in spring (March to May) and fall (September to
November). The official tourist season runs from April
through September. It's a good idea to buy advance tickets
to popular attractions during this period because the
queues can be monstrous. Washington
is plonked down in the District of Columbia, a little
enclave chopped from the state of Maryland. It is bounded
on one side by the Potomac River (on the other side
of the river you'll find Arlington and Alexandria, Virginia)
and on the other sides by the state of Maryland.
The
Mall is home to some of the capital's most famous museums.
The Smithsonian is among the world's finest research
centers, and has 13 phenomenal museums and galleries
as well as a zoo. For a top-notch view of the Potomac
Basin, make your way up the 555ft (166m) Washington
Monument. The Lincoln Memorial is much more than a monument
to the 16th US President. Completed in 1922, it quickly
became a symbol of America's commitment to civil rights.
The most visited memorial in DC is the Vietnam Veterans
Memorial, a stark, powerful structure designed by Maya
Ying Lin, whose design was selected from a national
competition when she was a 21 year old architecture
student at Yale University. |