The British Virgin Islands  (winter and spring 2009)

Where the Caribbean meets the Atlantic, there’s a chain of 60 islands called the British Virgin Islands. With hundreds of secret bays and hidden coves, they’ve been a haven for seafarers for centuries. After Columbus visited and named the islands, came the adventurers, the pirates and the buccaneers who preyed on the Spanish galleons bound for Europe with Incan gold.

Today, the British Virgin Islands attract a more sophisticated type of seafarer. They pull their boats into one of the marinas to eat lobster at the beachside restaurants. Or they sail through the islands to spend days as castaways on forgotten cays.

They provide a unique variety of island scenery and offer in different ways something for everyone. From spectacular tropical forest hillsides and waterfalls, excellent diving and snorkeling with corals and colorful fish, safe swimming, white sandy beaches, historic forts, sleepy villages and bustling markets, bars, fashionable restaurants, shopping, and an easy going lifestyle.

Grouped around the Sir Francis Drake Channel, the BVI are less developed than their U.S. counterparts. They are all of volcanic origin except one, Anegada, which is made of coral and limestone. The two major islands, Tortola and Virgin Gorda, along with the groups of Anegada and Jost Van Dyke, are home to most of the population of about 20,000.

Croatia  (summer and fall 2008)

In Croatia, where the Mediterranean, the mountains and the Pannonian plains come together in a unique harmony of natural beauty, you can come across excitingly different landscapes. You will experience its mild climate, the crystal clean, warm water, beautiful beaches, virgin nature, combined with rich history and cultural heritage, delicious cuisine and good wines, and above all, warm and friendly people. The Adriatic, with one of the most indented coastlines in Europe with over 1000 islands and islets, of which only 66 are inhabited, is undoubtedly the most popular tourist destination.
Croatia is bursting with colors, fragrances and shapes, unforgettable in the intensity of the experience of nature. It is a region of long beaches, pine woods and the ancient towns, that testifies to the rich cultural and historical heritage. The islands are all unique in their character.