XX ? XX www. fredolsencruises. com 133 called it Notre Dame - but it was destroyed several times before being rebuilt in its present form in 1869. Independence Square was created in the late 18th century: it was where council meetings - and slave auctions - were held. It was named in 1983 to mark the creation of the independent Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis Belfast, Northern Ireland In recent years Belfast has moved away from the troubles of the past and become a modern, vibrant and stylish city. On and around Great Victoria Street there are some excellent restaurants and a wide choice of pubs, while close to Queen's University are the fascinating Botanical Gardens, which have been established for more than 180 years. The unique Palm House was one of the world's first cast- iron glass-houses and it houses a wide range of tropical plants, ranging from bananas to rubber. Alongside the Gardens is the Ulster Museum, housed in a beautiful Renaissance- style building, which tells Ireland's 9,000- year history through art, ceramics, costume, and archaeology, including prehistoric artefacts from local sites. On the northern edge of the city is the impressive hulk of Belfast Castle, standing 120m above the sea. Built in the mid- Victorian era, it offers wonderful views over the city and out towards the Irish Sea. Belize City, Belize Surrounded on three sides by water, Belize City is a tightly- packed jumble of narrow streets and canals. The area was originally settled by the Mayan people and in the 1600s it was a famous pirate base, before the British arrived and built up Belize City as a centre for the logging industry. Timber was floated downstream to the city where it was sawn and loaded on to ships. Old Belize is a living museum which recreates the history of the country, with exhibits ranging from a Mayan cave to a logging camp. There's a beach as well, with a café and a restaurant. The Museum of Belize is in the former prison and has a fine collection of archeological finds, as well as historical documents, photographs, currency and postage stamps. There's even a former prison cell. Bergen, Norway Bergen was one of the great Hanseatic ports, and this maritime heritage is recalled by the 900- year- old Bryggen Wharf, with its splendid museum. The Bryggen is a delight to explore: its narrow streets climb away from the waterfront, lined by interesting shops, colourful half- timbered houses and cobbled stairways, with alleyways and tiny open spaces that beg to be explored. In summer months every spare corner seems to be filled with pots and containers overflowing with colourful flowers that fill the air with perfume. Bergen is framed by seven magnificent hills, the highest of which can be reached by a funicular railway. From the top there are spectacular views down to the harbourside, where cafés, bars and restaurants welcome visitors from around the world. Bergen was the home of Norway's most famous composer, Edvard Grieg, and the Troldhaugen is a museum devoted to his life and work, including an exhibition centre, shop and café. Bitung, Sulawesi, Indonesia A tourist gateway to eastern Indonesia, Bitung has a 3,000- hectare nature reserve on its northern outskirts, spreading over on to Lembeh Island. The Tangkoko Batuangus reserve is home to an astonishing variety of plants, trees and local wildlife. Spread out over a lush landscape of green hills and fertile valleys, the reserve has families of Spectral Tarsier - one of the smallest primates - as well as black apes, birds, snakes, wild pigs and marsupials such as cuscus. Local transport is available from the port area to the reserve. Boca do Valeria, Amazon, Brazil Boca da Valeria is one of thousands of tiny settlements in the Amazon basin: fewer than a hundred people live here in wooden stilt- houses, with a dirt path in front and the river behind. The community makes its living from the river and each house has a boat slung at the back. There's a single-room school, a small church and a communal manioc farm, all of which can be visited. On the waterfront, thatched- roof stalls sell hand- made crafts made by local people and those from neighbouring villages. Bodø, Norway Just inside the Arctic Circle, Bodø is blessed with beautiful natural scenery, including the Børvasstindene mountains across the fjord to the south, and the Lofoten and Landegode islands to the north. The Lofotens are home to sea eagles, and there are more of these huge birds in Bodø than in any other part of the world: every day, you can see them soaring high over the town and, as the mood takes them, perched on buildings. The town was badly damaged in the Second World War, but was rebuilt afterwards: the last building to be completed was the town hall, opened in 1959. The nearby Cathedral is a fine modern building with wonderful stained- glass windows and a separate belfry, while for a contrast, see Bodin church, a typical medieval building dating from the 13th century. Well worth a visit is the Norwegian Aviation Museum, with an extensive collection of aircraft used by the Royal Norwegian Air Force, as well as British and German warplanes that have been recovered locally and restored. Bora Bora, French Polynesia An authentic tropical paradise, Bora Bora has beautiful sandy beaches fringed by gently swaying palms. A clear blue lagoon surrounds the island, enclosed by a reef of coral motus - islets - while the extinct volcanoes of Mount Otemanu and Mount Pahia tower over the whole island. It's easy to see why this is the destination of choice for honeymoon couples from all over the world. The marine life in the lagoon, including turtles, sharks, rays and tropical fish, adds an extra dimension to snorkelling or scuba- diving. Bremerhaven, Germany Established as the port for the city of Bremen, 60km away on the River Weser, Bremerhaven was once Germany's biggest port, and much of its history is based around its maritime past. The National German Maritime Museum is in the middle of the old harbour, with a unique collection of more than 500 model ships, including magnificent sailing ships, whalers and the oldest wooden merchant ship in the world. On the opposite side of the harbour is the submarine Wilhelm Bauer, dating from 1943. More than seven million people emigrated from Germany for the New World, leaving on ships from the port of Bremerhaven. The German Emigration Centre in the town is a cutting- edge museum that celebrates this mass movement through video and audio installations. Brest, France There's been a port here since medieval times and it is still an important naval base. Sadly very few buildings remain from before the Second World War, apart from the 15th- century Château de Brest, and the Tour Tanguy, a medieval tower that probably dates from the 14th- century Breton War of Succession. The Château has the Musée de la Marine de Brest, celebrating Brest's maritime tradition, while the Tour Tanguy has the Museum of Old Brest. One of the best- known sights is the Pont de Recouvrance, a huge vertical- lift bridge, which elevates the 88m roadway on 70m- pylons to allow ships to pass up the River Penfeld. The newest attraction is the unique Océanopolis marine centre, which has three aquariums replicating polar, tropical and temperate oceans. There are over a thousand different types of fish, as well as 120 species of marine mammal, from dolphins to walrus. Bridgetown, Barbados The capital of Barbados, Bridgetown was originally known as Indian Bridge after the bridge built over the river - the Careenage - by indigenous Indians. Chamberlain Bridge was built in 1872, after which the name of the town was changed. This was a swing bridge, changed to a lift bridge in 2006. The main thoroughfare is Broad Street, lined with banks and some duty free shops. Rather more interesting are Swan Street and Tudor Street which have smaller shops, as well as some interesting pavement stalls. At the top of Broad Street are the old Parliament Buildings: the Barbados Parliament goes back to 1639 and is one of the oldest in the British Commonwealth. The west wing of the building houses the National Heroes Gallery and Museum of Parliament. Opposite is what used to be Trafalgar Square ( now National Heroes Square) with its statue of Lord Nelson - erected before the one in London. Brisbane, Australia Green and leafy Brisbane is a nature- lover's paradise. Roma Street Parkland, right in the heart of the city, is the world's biggest subtropical garden, with wonderful collections of Australian plants and shrubs and glorious peaceful walks. At the Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary, visitors can cuddle a koala or hand- feed a kangaroo, while enjoying an enormous variety of wildlife, from lizards to the Tasmanian Devil. The Sanctuary is on the Brisbane River - alongside the river there are lovely parks and riverside walks. There are also interesting cafés, seafood restaurants and trendy shops selling antiques, crafts and textiles. When the stunning St. John's Anglican Cathedral was finished a couple of years ago, it became the last neo- Gothic cathedral to be completed anywhere in the world. It took over a hundred years, as stonemasons used traditional building techniques to finish the work. Brisbane City Hall was once the tallest building in town and still offers excellent views from the top of the 90m- high clock tower. Buenos Aires, Argentina Stretched out along the Rio de la Plata, Buenos Aires is the first sight of Argentina for many people - and what a sight it is. Enticing and exciting, the city has a complex cultural heritage drawn from half a dozen European countries, with architecture and an urban landscape to match. There is no main focal point, although for local people the heart of the country itself is the Pirámide de Mayo in the Plaza de Mayo. Built to celebrate the revolution of 1810 which gave Argentina independence, the original pyramid is hidden inside the current brick structure. Leading away from the Plaza is the Avenida de Mayo, a magnificent 19th century boulevard lined with wonderful buildings, many of which are now shops, galleries and museums. Along the avenue and in many of its side- streets are coffee houses, jazz clubs, tango bars and restaurants to suit every taste. Cadiz, Spain Standing on a peninsula, Cadiz is almost entirely surrounded by water, with a history dominated by the sea: as a Phoenician trading post, a Roman port and the launchpad for Spain's exploration of the New World in the 15th and 16th centuries. The old town is Moorish in style, with cobbled streets and small squares lined with whitewashed houses. Over all looms the golden- tiled dome of the Cathedral Nueva. Built with riches from South America, the Cathedral has breathtaking treasures, some in a museum inside the building, including the Custodia del Millón, a Eucharist set supposedly made with a million precious stones. BELFAST ? CADIZ

134 Telephone 01473 742424 or contact your travel agentCAGLIARI ? CHAN MAY Cultures of the Adriatic The Fine Arts & Archaeology Museum and the Municipal History Museum are both interesting. In the former are fascinating collections of glassware, paintings and puppets, while in the Municipal History Museum is an ivory and mahogany model of the city made in 1779. And, as with all Mediterranean cities, there is always time to relax and watch the world. The seaside promenades are beautifully landscaped and lined with bars and cafés: in the summer, there are open air concerts under the palms. Cagliari, Sardinia The capital of Sardinia, Cagliari was an important port for both the Phoenicians and Romans, who built a magnificent amphitheatre here in the second century. Very well preserved, it is still possible to walk through the underground passages used by the gladiators and to see the pit for the wild animals that they fought. The old town still has many fine medieval buildings, as well as several ancient churches. The Basilica di San Saturnino is one of the oldest churches on the island; it was built before the sixth century, and possibly much earlier. Unfortunately, it was partly demolished in the 1660s to provide materials for the Cattedrale di Santa Maria. The Cathedral itself was begun in the 13th century, combining Romanesque, Gothic and Renaissance architecture. It has the graves of almost 300 Christian martyrs, as well the baroque tomb of Martin II of Aragon. The National Archaeological Museum, on the edge of the old town, has artefacts from throughout Sardinia's history, including bronzes from the Nuraghics who lived on the island about 3,500 years ago. Just outside the Museum is the Torre di San Pancrazio, a defensive tower built in 1305. From the top there are panoramic views of the city and the bay. Cairns, Australia People used to come to Cairns in search of gold. Now they come to experience some of the world's most stunning natural attractions, including the Great Barrier Reef and the Wet Tropics Rainforest. The Great Barrier Reef can be explored on tour boats leaving from the port area. An exciting way to see the rainforest is to take the Kuranda Scenic Railway - it goes north from the city, over bridges and through tunnels carved from the cliff- face - to the village of Kuranda. From there, the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway goes on a 7.5km trip, carrying passengers in glass-sided gondolas above the rainforest canopy, with a couple of stops en route to explore the forest floor. The focal point of Cairns itself is the Esplanade, a two kilometre boulevard along the shore with cafés, bars, piazzas and many of Cairns' fine historic buildings. It is also worth taking a look at the Tanks Art Centre and the nearby Flecker Botanical Gardens. Callao ( for Lima), Peru Peru's foremost port, Callao has long been an important commercial centre and it retains many fine colonial mansions, with elaborately carved balconies. The Real Felipe fortress is a huge building that was built to defend the city from pirates: it also played an important role in Peru's war of independence. La Punta, the area around the port, was once home to Lima's aristocracy. It has many stately houses and a wonderful seafront promenade with some delightful cafés in which to relax and enjoy the views. There are two excellent museums in the town. The Military Museum has important artefacts, including old weaponry, while the Navy Museum is devoted to the country's naval heritage. Çanakkale, Turkey Çanakkale is at the narrow entrance to the Çanakkale Strait, also known as the Dardanelles, linking the Sea of Marmara with the Aegean. The area has been the scene of terrible conflicts through the ages, from the Trojan Wars - Homeric Troy is thought to be close by XXX at Truva - to the Gallipoli Landings in the First World War. The hauntingly beautiful Gelibolu Peninsula Historical National Park has war graves and memorials to the half- million men on both sides who died in that conflict. In the town is an excellent archaeological museum with ceramics, furniture, burial artefacts, jewellery and sculpture from throughout the local area. There are fascinating displays of findings from recent excavations at the site of Troy, along with material from Hellenic tumulus dating back over 2,500 years. Cartagena, Colombia This was the site of the oldest settlement in South America, with archaeological evidence dating from around 7000BC. What is now Cartagena is friendly, vibrant and very cosmopolitan. There's much to see here, starting with the 500- year- old forts which, with the remaining sections of the city walls, are reminders of when this was an important Spanish colony. The walls surround the old town, with a main entrance through the Clock Tower Building. The oldest part is around Trinidad. There are several fine churches here, including Iglesia de San Pedro Claver - named after South America's first saint - and the Cathedral, near Plaza de Bolivar. The Palace of Inquisition, in Plaza de Bolivar, is where the Spanish Inquisition was conducted locally. It's now a wonderful museum of the city's history. Also dating from Spanish times is the Castillo de San Felipe, a 1657 fortress built to defend the city against pirates. Nearby is La Popa Hill, with fine views of Cartagena and the port. Cartagena, Spain Cartagena was originally built on five small hills: in Roman times, they surrounded a bay which has now dried up. The old town was carefully planned within city walls and includes a natural harbour that is watched over by the medieval Castillio de la Concepcion, from which there are superb views. Cartagena has been an important port for 2,000 years and it still has a substantial naval shipyard. Although many of the buildings from Roman Cartagena have disappeared, there are some important sites, including the amphitheatre that's under the bullring built in 1854. A Roman theatre, dating from around 100BC, was found in 1987 during excavations near the ruins of the 13th century Cathedral of Santa Maria, which was destroyed during the Spanish Civil War. For a quirky treat, see the Museum of Carriages and Motorcycles, which has one of the biggest collections of motorbikes in Spain. Casablanca, Morocco The biggest city in Morocco - and with chic bars and a wide choice of stylish restaurants - Casablanca sometimes has a southern European feel. The Old Medina is small, but the crowded streets and tiny, overcrowded shops are worth exploring. The art- deco Ville Nouvelle - a legacy from France - is very attractive: look for the enchanting Rialto Cinema. Equally fascinating is the Jewish Museum, the only one of its kind in the Islamic world. It has excellent displays showing Morocco's ancient synagogues, cemeteries and other Jewish landmarks. Dominating the whole city is the breathtaking Hassan II Mosque. Built on a rocky outcrop of reclaimed land, it can accommodate over 25,000 worshippers inside - and another 80,000 in the courtyard. The 210m minaret is the tallest in the world: from the top a laser beam points the way to Mecca at night. Guided tours can be made of the vast interior, with its glass floor and marble walls. Castries, St Lucia The bustling capital of St Lucia is easy to walk round and has plenty to see. The centre of town is Derek Walcott Square, named after the Nobel Laureate who was born on the island. In the centre is a 400- year- old samaan tree, in front of the uniquely decorated Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, built in 1897. There's a lively market in Jeremie Street selling everything from fresh fruit to wooden and leather products. Overlooking the town - and providing some splendid views - is Morne Fortune. Here the original French colonists built La Toc Battery, but it was taken by the British in 1796, and a new fort built in 1888 to protect the harbour: Castries was the only port in the Caribbean big enough to be a coaling station for the entire Royal Navy. Castro, Chile Spread out across the Isla Grande and two smaller Islands, Castro has energy and charm. The town sits on a cliff overlooking the shoreline, the banks of which are lined with palafitos - houses built on stilts above the water. One of Castro's delights is the colourful Iglesia San Francisco, the exterior of which is painted in a rather violent pink with violet details. The interior is more sedate, with polished wooden panels and intricate stained- glass windows. The spacious modern art museum has work by local and national artists, while the regional museum, recently rehoused, has excellent collections devoted to the development of the region. There's also a poignant photographic record of the earthquakes that devastated Chile in 1960. Catania, Sicily, Italy Catania has some of the finest baroque architecture in Europe, along with a history of natural disasters linked to the nearby Mount Etna. Much of the city was buried in an eruption in 1669 and further damaged in an earthquake in 1693. In the rebuilding programme, many of the buildings were made in the baroque style from black volcanic rock. For a wonderful view of Etna, visit the Villa Bellini park in the north of the town. It's full of fabulous trees, including a fig that is reckoned to be the biggest in the world and, on the side of a hill, a unique floral clock and calendar. The Castello Ursino was once a moated castle and from its walls the remains of this can still be seen. There's a small but interesting archeological museum and art gallery inside. The cathedral in the centre of town is a replacement for a medieval building destroyed in the 1693 earthquake: the façade has granite columns removed from the city's Roman amphitheatre, while the apses, which were recovered after the earthquake, are sculpted from solidified lava. Ceuta, Spain An autonomous Spanish enclave in North Africa, Ceuta is dominated by Monte Hacho and its castle, offering panoramic views of the city and the coast. Across the sea it's possible to see Gibraltar in the distance. Below Monte Hacho are the remains of Ceuta's old city walls, with a small canal running between them. The Ermitage of San Antonio was rebuilt in the 1960s on a site dating from the 15th century. The city is a meeting place: of Africa and Europe, the Mediterranean and the Atlantic, Christianity and Islam - and these influences can be seen in everything from the food to the architecture. Along with monuments, museums, churches, and mosques, it's also possible to find interesting little shops selling local products and to enjoy every kind of food from couscous to paella. Chan May, Vietnam Situated midway between the historic cities of Hue City and Hoi An, Chan May is very much a working port. Hoi An is a charming old town, with ancient buildings dating from its days as a trading centre, many of which have recently been converted to shops, art galleries and cafés. Hue was the capital of Vietnam until 1945 and its Citadel - with three concentric walled enclosures - is where the emperor