Miami → Miami (14 nights)

Welcome to Miami and the sweep of South Beach - backdrop to every iconic Miami movie, and forefront of Latin American culture. Stroll through pastel-hued geometric buildings in the art deco district, to graffiti mural masterpieces at Wynwood Walls. Watch Latino life unfold in Little Havana - the heartbeat of this great city - where walk-up windows sell café cortadito, sweet sugarcane juice, hatuey beer and guava ice-cream. Watch passionate locals discuss politics, play dominoes and smoke cigars. Shimmy at a salsa class, shop designer boutiques and race marlin and sharks by speedboat. Then slow your pace to uncover rare and endangered species at the Everglades National Park outdoor oasis. You’ll find the Miami dream is real – and it’s not just Cuban heels that will give you a spring in your step.

A low-lying cay with a laid-back luxe vibe, pretty Provo is the cosmo-cool jewel of the Turks and Caicos Islands. Encircled by virgin coral and pristine beaches, the cosy cay is crowned with glorious Grace Bay Beach and swoon-worthy Provo Golf Club. Charter a fast boat to a remote island to find the perfect slice of sand then crack open lunch at the infamous Da Conch Shack for its name-sake delicacy. Live on the edge and discover the widest blue hole, the largest dry cave system, or the unforgettable Wall. Best of all is taking it slow, being gloriously cradled in paradise.

The queen of the “Silver Coast”, Puerto Plata is treasured for her soaring cloud-shrouded peaks and stunning shining beaches. Once famously plundered by pirates — you too can storm the 16th-century Fortaleza San Felipe fort — now is coveted by modern-day aficionados seeking her bounty of aged rum, robust cigars, and rich chocolate. Adventurers can soar to the top of the Pico Isabel de Torres 793 mt (2,602 ft), dare to off-road to the Waterfalls of Damajagua, or kite-surf, catamaran, and zip-line over the ocean. Pro tip: save time for a buzzy beach club to chill with coconut-fused libations.

Escape into off-the-charts tranquillity in La Romana, a hidden gem exuding an élan that is cosmopolitan and tropical. Find a bit of Rome in Altos de Chavón, a replica of a 16th-century Tuscan village brimming with studios for fashion and art, and a 5,000-seat limestone amphitheater. Encamp in Casa de Campo, a regal resort oasis on the radar of royalty and celebrities seeking best-of-the-best golf, dining, and polo. Divers delight swimming in shades of aquamarine and amethyst from Bayahibe Beach or whilst naturalist heed the call of Cotubanamá National Park for dolphin, manatees, and birds of a thousand colours.

Named for a Dutch pirate who once encamped here, Jost Van Dyke is a petite jewel with a bounty of lush landscapes and beautiful beaches. Hike (or water taxi) to Bubbly Pool, a natural jacuzzi created as waves at high tide crash through a crevasse. Kick back on the powder-fine sands of White Bay, swimming the turquoise shallows, finding zen at the floating spa or succumbing to the infamous Painkiller, the dark rum and coconut cocktail created in the 1970s at the Soggy Dollar Bar, polestar of the cheerful island vibe.

Mingle amongst other discerning guests on this French isle that exudes relaxed glamour. Wander along secluded beaches, harbourside Creole huts, drop into bohemian bars and snorkel gently through warm turquoise waters. Visit La Tourmente, the peaceful salt ponds and admire uninterrupted views on a local boat trip. And as you sip your second (or third) glass of champagne to the lull of the gentle waves, it might be time to learn the French for "paradise found".

Explore the oldest US city for a dose of Caribbean history, slice of Spanish culture and twist of American dream. Roam historic Old San Juan alleyways to glimpse centuries-old forts and colourful colonial buildings. Learn how to move, as locals sashay out the salsa to rhythmic reggae beats. Shop the boho streets or glamorous boutiques for artisan goods, decadent designers and hand-rolled cigars. Experience world-class surfing, explore a tropical rainforest, attend a private rum cocktail tasting and polish off empanadas. Then retire to one of the beautiful beaches to soak up crystal clear waters and, perhaps, one last rum cocktail.

Restore in blissfully quiet yet sophisticated laid-back island life. Roam amongst wildlife, learn fascinating insights into Anguilla's quirky history and gently wander to the limestone cavern of Katouche cave. Embark on a guided quad bike tour for a glimpse of island life and sail over electric blue seas to reach remote paradise at private Little Bay, where jagged cliffs flank pristine sands. Casually kayak or paddle board through warm breezes and calm waters to secluded coves and indulge in refreshing cocktails with butter-soaked grilled lobster at enticing beach bars, with toes submerged in the softest, whitest and finest sand.

An adrenaline rush awaits. Swim with stingrays. Zip-line through lush forests. Walk across a gorge on a scenic suspension bridge. Sip excellent aged rums. Taste the island with a chef. Or stroll St. John's old town to tour cottages laden with cheerful fretwork. Explore British forts atop Shirley Heights and Goat Hill. Then rest and rejuvenate at one of the snow-white beaches.

Still quiet and still Eden-like, the eco-friendly ethos of Saint Croix keeps the largest US Virgin Island in a rare state of underdeveloped bliss. Protected reefs, rum distilleries, frangipani trees, cacti and beautiful beaches. Breathe in the fresh air and discover music, offbeat shops, Dutch forts, and the shady escape of lush botanical gardens. Let your soul sing amid the breathtaking beauty of Buck Island Reef National Monument, which National Geographic calls “one of the world's best beaches”. Stroll Frederiksted and sister city Christiansted, which still bear witness to the seven ruling flags that have flown over the island whilst the hillsides still pulse with the spirit of indigenous Carib and Taino peoples.

Mango-scented reveries on flour-soft beaches. Tinkling ice cubes in rummy cocktails. Rainbow marine life in crystalline coral gardens. Welcome to Catalina Island, an earthly paradise where trails meander through fragrant forests and merengue rhythms drift on the breeze. Fortune awaits in the sunken wreckage of Captain Kidd’s ship, home of silent sponges and sentinel seahorses, an underwater kingdom awaiting discovery.

The queen of the “Silver Coast”, Puerto Plata is treasured for her soaring cloud-shrouded peaks and stunning shining beaches. Once famously plundered by pirates — you too can storm the 16th-century Fortaleza San Felipe fort — now is coveted by modern-day aficionados seeking her bounty of aged rum, robust cigars, and rich chocolate. Adventurers can soar to the top of the Pico Isabel de Torres 793 mt (2,602 ft), dare to off-road to the Waterfalls of Damajagua, or kite-surf, catamaran, and zip-line over the ocean. Pro tip: save time for a buzzy beach club to chill with coconut-fused libations.

Welcome to Miami and the sweep of South Beach - backdrop to every iconic Miami movie, and forefront of Latin American culture. Stroll through pastel-hued geometric buildings in the art deco district, to graffiti mural masterpieces at Wynwood Walls. Watch Latino life unfold in Little Havana - the heartbeat of this great city - where walk-up windows sell café cortadito, sweet sugarcane juice, hatuey beer and guava ice-cream. Watch passionate locals discuss politics, play dominoes and smoke cigars. Shimmy at a salsa class, shop designer boutiques and race marlin and sharks by speedboat. Then slow your pace to uncover rare and endangered species at the Everglades National Park outdoor oasis. You’ll find the Miami dream is real – and it’s not just Cuban heels that will give you a spring in your step.