Located south of Cuba and northwest of Jamaica, these three little islands are a captivating blend of old and new, simplicity and sophistication. Walk through George Town, the capital, situated on the largest island of Grand Cayman and you'll pass impressive financial buildings (this is the world's fifth-largest banking centre) and exquisite jewelry stores, existing alongside hundred-year old frame structures and traditional Caymanian houses with chickens strutting nonchalantly through the yard.

With the highest standard of living in the Caribbean, top-notch hotels and restaurants, and one of the world's most beautiful beaches, it's not surprising that the Cayman Islands have a thriving tourism industry. Grand Cayman, in particular, is a popular stop for cruise ships, sometimes hosting 6 or 7 large vessels a day!

Columbus first sighted the islands in 1503 during his final voyage to the new world. He named them "Las Tortugas" because of the abundance of green sea turtles that crowded their shores. Though no permanent settlements were established until about 200 years later, the islands are popularly said to have been a hiding place for pirates, and they certainly were a convenient stopping off place for sailors in search of fresh water and turtle meat.

Though the population of sea turtles has become sparse, the Cayman Turtle Farm in West Bay raises thousands of the creatures, releasing many back into the ocean. The farm is a major tourist attraction and you can have a close look at turtles in their sea-water filled tanks in all stages of development. Turtle meat has remained an appreciated traditional food in the islands, and you can sample some of the farm-raised turtle at local restaurants, perhaps in soup or in the form of turtle steak.

Also in West Bay is the district of Hell, so named because the spiky rock formations found there bring to mind the landscape of the underworld! There's a gift shop and post office, so you can send your friends back home a card from Hell, with the postmark to prove it.

For a glimpse into life in the islands in a simpler era, stop by the "pink house," as it is locally known. Called the most photographed place on the island, this typical Caymanian-style wattle- and-daub cottage dating from the early 1900s is located in West Bay. You can walk through the sand yard, swept each morning, and then tour the house, which still contains some of its original furnishings. A local guide will explain how Caymanians cooked in a "caboose" in an outdoor kitchen, and will show you the garden that provided papayas, breadfruit, and herbs for both for culinary and medicinal purposes.

The stretch of beautiful white sand along Grand Cayman's western shore is known as Seven Mile Beach, and it's along this strip that you'll find most of the island's large hotels and resorts. Go for a stroll, splash in the water, or simply lounge in the sun and gaze on the aquamarine Caribbean!

Speaking of which, the Cayman Islands are one of the world's foremost spots for diving. Lessons are widely available and there are plenty of places to buy or rent equipment. But you can also see some absolutely stunning displays of brilliantly coloured fish and other underwater life by snorkeling around many of the reefs surrounding the island. One option is to take a tour boat to "Stingray City" in the North Sound. In the shallow water you can literally swim with the stingrays, which are surprisingly gentle and graceful creatures. From there, many tour boats continue the short distance north to the reef, where you'll be given time to snorkel. But if you prefer to see what's under the water without getting wet, take a ride in a submarine or go on a semi-submersible boat trip that will show you the local marine life and even a shipwreck or two. If fishing's your thing, there are many operators who will take you out on an unforgettable deep sea adventure.

For a fascinating overview of the Cayman Islands' history and culture, a good stop is the Cayman National Museum, located in a landmark 19th century wooden building right in the heart of George Town. (If you're coming off a cruise ship, it's one of the first things you'll see.) The museum offers a glimpse into the natural and human history of the Caymans with dioramas and artifacts relating to their maritime heritage.

East of George Town, near Savannah, is Pedro St. James. The "castle," as it's long been called, is the oldest building in the Cayman Islands, dating from 1780. Originally a plantation house, it was where the emancipation proclamation was read in 1831 and where the islands' first legislature met. Today, it has been meticulously restored and opened to the public. But before you tour the house, you'll be treated to a 20 minute multimedia presentation that provides a fascinating history of the Islands and the house itself, complete with a thunder and lightning storm!

From Savannah, you can continue along the south shore to Breakers, where you'll find the Lighthouse Restaurant right along the highway. Not far past it are the "Blowholes," hollowed formations in the ironshore that emit huge sprays of water when the waves hit them. Stand back!

Drive further east to Gun Bay to see the monument that looks out over the site of the Islands' most famous maritime disaster, the wreck of the ten sails. On a stormy night in 1794, a convoy of British ships hit the reef, and ten were wrecked. It was due to the East Enders' bravery and daring that not one life was lost.

Experience traditional Caymanian flora and fauna at the Queen Elizabeth II Botanic Park, situated roughly in the centre of Grand Cayman. A mile-long trail will lead you through some of the island's natural habitat, and you'll see some rare blue iguanas. The floral gardens offer a breathtaking display of colour, composed of both native and introduced plants and flowers.

If you really want to get away from it all, head to the "sister islands" of Cayman Brac and Little Cayman. There is regular air service from Grand Cayman. Cayman Brac is dominated by a 140-foot bluff, and the island has 35 tourism trails that pass through wetlands, tropical forests, cliffs and beach walks. On Little Cayman, you can check out the birds at the Booby Pond Reserve, or simply sit back and bask on one of many isolated beaches.