Manaus → San Juan (10 nights)

The beating heart of the Brazilian rainforest. This bustling frontier town emanates a verdigris grandeur, a throwback to the rubber boom gone by, illustrated best by the Belle Epoque opera house, with its marble halls and 198 Murano glass chandeliers. Drift away to the Philharmonic strains of Verdi or Mozart under frescoed ceilings in the midst of the steamy jungle. Outside, the inky Rio Negro meets but doesn’t merge with the more muddied Rio Solimoes, and pink dolphins, manatees and river otters ply the wide and winding waterways, the banks and jungle trails scattered with waterfalls, wild orchids, spider monkeys and jaguars.

Tap into Amazonian rhythms in Parintins, where indigenous life and Brazil’s carnival culture entwine. Explore winding tributaries by riverboat and fish for piranha in secluded coves, or trek to villages swathed in jungle. Carnival fever burns year-round as artisans tirelessly toil over fantastical floats and elaborate dresses for the annual Boi-Bumbá Festival, here in the beating heart of the Amazon.

The crystal-clear waters and fine white sands at this secluded Amazon beach town invite comparisons with the Caribbean. Discover this gem of a village, which leads to Love Island, Green Lake, and water lilies spanning up to 3m (10ft) in diameter. From this laid-back beguiling base, we might witness the peculiar Meeting of the Waters, as the mighty Amazon and clearer waters of the Rio Tapajos meet but don’t converge, continuing to flow instead side by side. Delve deep into the dense Tapajos National Forest, seeking jungle cats, giant armadillos, vibrant parrots and protected white-bellied spider monkeys.

Please note that the call to Macapá is a technical call required for clearance by the Brazilian authorities. Guests will not be able to disembark during this time. The clearance process includes a safety inspection, health inspection, and immigration formalities. Depending on the complexity, this may take several hours.

Traces of British influence abound on the island of Tobago, sibling to big brother Trinidad. Pocket-sized Scarborough, a Caribbean jewel crowned by the 18th century remains of Fort King George, bears little resemblance to its Yorkshire namesake. The Beatles and Rita Hayworth have padded barefoot along Bacolet Bay Beach, a palm-fringed crescent of golden sand below hillside mansions. Beyond the city, echoes of Scottish ancestors are evident at the 54-metre Argyle Waterfall and Atlantic-facing Speyside, the gateway to the seabird sanctuary of Little Tobago — Bird of Paradise Island. Visit the bioluminescent waters of Buccoo Reef Marine Park and stroll the feather-soft sands of Pigeon Point.

Wind your way through the romantic island of St Lucia. Hike up the majestic UNESCO-listed Pitons, wallow in a volcanic mud bath, lounge on black sand beaches, explore botanical gardens and venture into a tropical jungle scattered with banana, coconut and mango plantations. Choose between calm Caribbean or choppy Atlantic seas to skim through waters by catamaran, private boat or kayak. Refresh beneath a waterfall, watch gliding whales and enjoy freshly caught mahi mahi with local Piton beer. Or just relax into an inner glow of serenity as you unwind in this tranquil tropical isle.

Soak up the ultimate wellbeing experience at a real life “Nature Island.” Oxygenate in lush rainforests, revive under waterfalls, convene in thermal sprint waters, and detox in volcanic mud baths. Trek Morne Trois Pitons National Park, a UNESCO jewel with the Mother Nature’s rarest flora and fauna. Stir-up true Caribbean soul food; taste callaloo soup; sip spiced rum; and learn how herbs can heal. To cap it all, you can even snorkel in the bubbles of uber-healthy Champagne Reef.

Princely Philipsburg reigns as the capital of the Dutch side of the dual-nation island of Sint Maarten/ and French Saint Martin. Lounging beside aptly named Great Bay, the seaside city weaves colourful streets lined with Dutch emporiums brimming with chocolates, cheeses and coveted luxuries. Kayak lapis-blue waters, dive amongst a kaleidoscope of reefs or gallop on horseback along shaded plantation trails. Play ‘lady luck’ in winning casinos or a round of golf beside an eternally blue sea. Every moment embraces the idea that a day in Philipsburg is royal.

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.