With its reputation focused on the water, Baltimore – the largest city, although not the capital of Maryland – is a microcosm of the history of the USA’s eastern seaboard. Named after the second Lord Baltimore, George Calvert, the city was founded in 1729 and now calls itself ‘Charm City’, referring to its citizens’ concern for and appreciation of the quality of urban life. Its position on the Patapsco River, at the top of the northwestern fork of the Chesapeake Bay, Baltimore gives direct access to the Atlantic Ocean. In the early days of European settlement, Baltimore was also the westernmost ocean-going harbour, making it invaluable as a link with the railways that reached into the fast-growing agricultural lands of the interior. Cereal mills prospered on the rivers flowing into the Bay, ensuring that industry and shipping were soon established. The successful Revolutionary War against Britain, which Baltimore survived intact, brought not only increased prosperity but also a song that went onto greater heights as the USA’s national anthem, ‘The Star Spangled Banner’, referring to the flag that flew over the city’s Fort McHenry. The Inner Harbor area is representative of the city’s forward-looking attitude. Once the place where the Baltimore Clippers – fast two-mast schooners – were built, after the American Revolution, the area now successfully combines business, shopping, hotels, restaurants and sightseeing. The docklands was subject to a hugely successful urban regeneration scheme and the newly developed Inner Harbor was opened in 1980. The efficient water taxi service, which also provides a good way to view the city’s impressive seafront skyline, enhances the success of the regeneration. An ongoing one billion US Dollar redevelopment will further improve the area. The Inner Harbor’s wealth of seafood also reflects the city’s economy, which has gone from complete reliance on its harbour to encompassing more general financial, banking, insurance and tourism-related industries. The nearby Downtown is centred on thriving Lexington Market, established in 1782, which still houses over 140 merchants – originally solely farmers but now vendors of all kinds. The clear identification of neighbourhoods and districts is a feature of Baltimore, giving a sense of local identity in each one. Historic districts that once would have been decaying inner-city areas, such as Fells Point and Federal Hill, now are bustling communities, home to the businesspeople who work in the nearby Downtown areas. Mount Vernon and Little Italy also both retain the atmosphere of a large village. There is a vitality to the city, stretching out from the campuses of Johns Hopkins University to the north and the University of Maryland near the Downtown. Johns Hopkins himself – whose name is attached to many public buildings – rose from a humble greengrocer in 1819, to a wealthy and philanthropic merchant by 1847. He embodies Baltimore’s work ethic and the American dream. Baltimore has an eclectic range of famous names associated with it. The city was the birthplace of legendary baseball player ‘Babe’ Ruth and of revered literary critic H L Mencken. Writer Edgar Allan Poe and singer Billie Holiday have also left their mark, as has British Royalty. ‘Bessie’ Wallis Warfield – known to the British as the double divorcee, Mrs Simpson, who later married King Edward VIII, causing his abdication – lived for many years in the Mount Vernon section of Baltimore. Whether in its hot, muggy summers or mild, damp and snowy winters, Baltimore is lively and a good base from which to explore rural Maryland. It is a city that is not only proud of its heritage but also confident of the future, preferring to shape the inevitable changes rather than be subject to them. Nonetheless, one thing has never changed – it is considered almost a crime for one to leave the city without tasting Baltimore’s speciality, the abundant Maryland crabs.

Formely known as a city of oil refineries, Bayonne is now a city of trade, services, technology and manufacturing. Located in the heart of the New Jersey-New York metropolitan area, Bayonne offers a unique combination of small town atmosphere and big city convenience. The municipality is proud to work with the Town Center to promote the retail stores, restaurants, professional services, and other businesses located in Bayonne’s Broadway area. The City of Bayonne has a new Urban Enterprise Zone, outstanding development properties, convenient mass transit connections, a great school system, and people who care.

California's second largest city and the United States' seventh largest, San Diego boasts a citywide population of nearly 1.3 million residents and more than 2.8 million residents countywide. Within its borders of 4,200 sq. miles, San Diego County encompasses 18 incorporated cities and numerous other charming neighborhoods and communities, including downtown's historic Gaslamp Quarter, Little Italy, Coronado, La Jolla, Del Mar, Carlsbad, Escondido, La Mesa, Hillcrest, Barrio Logan, Chula Vista and more. Known for it's near-idyllic climate, 70 miles of pristine beaches and dazzling array of world-class family attractions, including the World-Famous San Diego Zoo and Wild Animal Park, SeaWorld San Diego and LEGOLAND California, San Diego offers a wide variety of things to see and do, appealing to guests from around the world. In San Diego's East County, the terrain varies from gentle foothills to mile-high mountains and the historic mining town, Julian, down to the 600,000-acre Anza Borrego Desert State Park, offering nature-conscious visitors endless opportunities to hike, camp, fish, observe wildlife and much more. In San Diego's North County, the land produces quantities of flowers as well as quality grapes that become excellent wines, which are served at some of the most elegant restaurants and resorts in the region. Along the west, 70 miles of Pacific Ocean coastline not only supports year-round outdoor recreation, such as surfing, boating, sailing and swimming, but also important scientific research at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography. To the south, it's a whole different country, Mexico, featuring its own cultural offerings in various towns along the border and coastline, including Tijuana, Rosarito and Ensenada. San Diego's arts and culture and culinary arts are making a name for themselves, both nationally and internationally. Balboa Park, the largest urban cultural park in the U.S., features 15 museums, numerous art galleries, beautiful gardens, the Tony Award-winning The Globe Theatres and the World-Famous San Diego Zoo. The region is also a breeding ground for the hottest, new talents of culinary arts, who prepare award-winning meals in many of the region's 6,400 eating establishments. San Diego County also features 92 golf courses and a variety of exciting participatory and spectator sports, beachfront resorts and luxury spas, gaming, a dynamic downtown district, annual special events and unique holiday offerings, multicultural festivals and celebrations, colorful neighborhoods and communities, a rich military history, accessibility for travelers with disabilities and much more. The most difficult decision to make regarding a vacation to San Diego is determining what to do and see among the region's vast and diverse variety of offerings. San Diego County offers a vacation experience for everyone.

Called "La Ciudad Amurallada", San Juan was founded in 1521. In 1508 Juan Ponce de León founded the original settlement, Caparra, behind the almost land-locked harbor just to the west of the present metropolitan area. The settlement was abandoned and moved to the site of what is now called Old San Juan. San Juan is one of the biggest and best natural harbors in the Caribbean and is the second oldest city in the Americas. San Juan is a major port and tourist resort of the West Indies and is the oldest city under the U.S flag. The metropolitan area known as San Juan has 3 distinct areas: Old San Juan, the Beach & Resort area, and other outlying communities, the most important: Río Piedras, Hato Rey, Puerta de Tierra, and Santurce. Río Piedras was founded in 1714 but became incorporated into San Juan in 1951. During the early 16th century, San Juan was the point of departure of Spanish expeditions to charter or settle unknown parts of the New World. Its fortifications repulsed the English navigator Sir Francis Drake in 1595, as well as later attacks. In the 20th century the city expanded beyond its walled confines, known as Old San Juan, to incorporate suburban Miramar, Santurce, Condado, Hato Rey and Río Piedras. San Juan is the largest processing center of the island, the metropolitan area has facilities for petroleum and sugar refining, brewing and distilling and produces cement, pharmaceuticals, metal products clothing, and tobacco. The port is one of the busiest in the Caribbean. San Juan is the country's financial capital, and many U.S. banks and corporations maintain offices or distributing centers there. San Juan is center of Caribbean shipping and is the 2nd largest sea port in the area (after New York City). Old San Juan. This is a 465-year-old neighborhood originally conceived as a military stronghold. Its 7-square-block area has evolved into a charming residential and commercial district. The streets here are paved with cobbles of adoquine, a blue stone cast from furnace slag; they were brought over a ballast on Spanish ships and time and moisture have lent them their characteristic color. Includes more than 400 carefully restored 16th- and 17th-century Spanish colonial buildings.The Old San Juan attracts many tourists, who also enjoy the gambling casinos, fine beaches, and tropical climate. More tourists visit San Juan each year than any other spot in the Caribbean. A leisurely foot tour is advisable for those who really want to experience this bit of the Old World, especially given the narrow, steep streets and frequently heavy traffic. To really do justice to these wonderful old sites, you'll need two mornings or a full day.

If you're looking to enjoy the finest shopping, history, culture, entertainment and leisure, there's no better place than Southampton. It really is the jewel of the South. Ideally situated for exploring some of the most breathtaking coast and countryside in the south of England.  Southampton is also host to some of the world's most prestigious maritime events. Whether you are looking to get away for a few days or enjoy an action packed few hours, whether you're eighteen or eighty-one Southampton is the place to be.