30 days in Caribbean & United States Itinerary

The third most populous English-speaking country in the Americas, Jamaica remains a member of the Commonwealth of Nations, with the British monarch its official head of state. Jamaica tourism thrives thanks to the island nation's reputation for natural beauty, outstanding cuisine, and lively music scene. The country's landscape is as diverse as its population, its tropical climate supporting varied ecosystems that include everything from savannahs to rugged mountain slopes. For most visitors, a holiday in Jamaica is a largely outdoor affair, with hiking, fishing, golfing, camping, snorkeling, horseback riding, and kite surfing among the most popular things to do.

Known as the location of one of the longest coral reefs in the world, Turks and Caicos offer scenic white-sand beaches, calm waters, and warm, sunny weather. Apart from the upscale resorts in Providenciales, which is known for its award-winning beach, the rest of the scenery remains mostly pristine and uncrowded. On a trip to Turks and Caicos, you can spend days lazing on a deserted beach, go island hopping, and enjoy a range of fun activities, from world-class snorkeling and diving, to hiking, sailing, deep-sea fishing, and bird-watching.

The culture of Haiti has always been the reason for people to visit, and it will be the reason people visit in larger and larger numbers as the nation heals from the devastating effects of the 2010 earthquake. The interesting tale of colonialism, revolution, and political struggle has left Haiti with a wealth of historical sites and cultural influences. Sightseeing in Haiti offers perspectives on the many stages in the country's history, with colonial forts standing in ruins and monuments memorializing the revolution. The music, the art, the folklore, and the cuisine of Haiti all deserve to be explored in person.

Sharing the island of Hispaniola with Haiti, friendly Dominican Republic offers two distinct coastlines, one bathed by the Caribbean Sea and the other by the Atlantic Ocean. Nearly 1,600 km (1,000 mi) of palm-shaded beaches figure highly on most Dominican Republic itineraries, allowing visitors to design their vacation around a range of water-based activities. The sun-kissed country benefits from pleasant temperatures throughout the year, so it's no surprise that holidays in Dominican Republic remain a popular choice for visitors from distant and colder corners of the world. A big producer of coffee, cocoa, rum, sugarcane, and tobacco, the country provides a vibrant cultural experience in multicultural cities and quaint countryside.

A U.S. territory encompassing one big island and several smaller ones, Puerto Rico appeals to visitors from around the globe with its rich history, pleasant climate, natural beauty, and renowned local cuisine. Most tourists take a vacation in Puerto Rico for that classic seaside experience, though the island offers much more than just sun and sand. Tours of Puerto Rico usually start in the city of San Juan, which boasts a trendy bar scene and plenty of art museums for visitors looking to add a bit of culture to their vacation. A short drive from the island's urban centers, pristine rainforests serve as peaceful retreats from the city bustle and ensure plenty of chances to spot wildlife and take exhilarating nature walks.

More than the country of car-packed streets seen in TV shows and movies, the United States of America is a complex and diverse home to over 300 million people living in a wide range of landscapes and climates. From its big-city skyscrapers to its sprawling natural parks, the country's ''melting pot'' combines many ethnic groups that share a strong sense of national identity despite their cultural differences. A country of road trips and big blue skies, the United States harbors orderly cities filled with restaurants, parks, museums, and innumerable sightseeing opportunities, as well as pristine natural areas perfect for a holiday in the great outdoors. To see as much as you can of this diverse land quickly, drive over some of the more than 6 million km (4 million mi) of highways leading through deserts, mountain peaks, fertile fields, and giant urban centers.

Part of an archipelago encompassing hundreds of islets and cays, Bahamas boast many pink beaches, which get their vibrant color from fractured seashells mixed with ordinary sand. For most pleasure seekers an ideal holiday in Bahamas consists of various sea activities, occasionally interrupted by tours of several cities, offering an eclectic music scene dominated by calypso, soca, and junkanoo genres. Romantic enough to attract newlyweds from around the globe, the islands are also a major center of eco-tourism, with visits to national parks and diving tours in colorful reefs among the most popular things to do in Bahamas.