Miami → San Juan (15 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.

Off the coast of the Yucatan Peninsula and off the charts in charm, Cozumel, once sacred to the Mayan Moon Goddess Ixchel, now is a wealth of natural beauty. Dive into the kaleidoscopic Caribbean waters that lap her beaches, follow dive guides to the Mesoamerican reef, or swim in sacred cenotes. Take a walk on the Wild East side, sink into hammocks and sip Mezcalitos cocktails and nosh on the freshest fish tacos. Kayak the mangroves or hike trails around the marshland and pay homage to Ixchel at her temple ruins of San Gervasio.

Swirling blue seas give way to the tangled tendrils of emerald jungle along the coast of Quintana Roo, where Mayan pyramids and enigmatic cenotes lay hidden. Time slows down and languid days turn into unforgettable nights around Puerta Costa Maya, a portal to indigenous culture and natural abundance. Enchanting and Bacalar and her Lagoon of the Seven Colours show off nature’s artistic essence and star-shaped Fort of San Felipe transports you to a world of European pirates and Spanish conquistadors. Snooze beneath droopy palms and snorkel the mesmerising reefs of Xcalak National Reef Park or explore the crumbling Mayan temples at Chacchoben, reclaimed by the jungle over millennia, then feast on fresh Mexican flavours in cosmopolitan Chetumal.

A fringe of shaggy mountains surrounds the wild jungle home of this Mayan empire, where art masterpieces are untouched and in harmony with nature. A stunning shade of crimson still paints the faces of fearsome gods glaring from towering ancient temples in Quiriguá, a UNESCO World Heritage treasure. Hike to a nature preserve where hundreds of species of birds sip from cool waters fed by sparkling waterfalls. An imposing 1600’s stone citadel begs a visit to see how the Spanish thwarted thieving pirates. Prepare to be dazzled by rows of colourful embroidery, beadwork, and handwoven textiles at the lively town market whilst the nutty fragrance and rich flavour of local coffee pairs perfectly with some of the most exquisite chocolate in the world.

Beguiling Belize fuses diverse culture with an intriguing history. Touch upon spectacular wildlife, underwater wonders, idyllic beaches and ancient Mayan ruins. Call in at the world’s first jaguar reserve, take a jungle tour, head into the Tiger Cave, seek out The Swing Bridge or dip into a chocolate farm. Snooze under thatch, glide through the vibrant Belize Barrier Reef and mingle with locals to uncover nature’s medicinal tonics. And unwind in a pristine Caribbean caye, courtesy of the aptly named Hummingbird Highway.

Submerged beneath Caribbean waves, the Bonacca Ridge mountains peek above the surface to form spellbinding Roatán and her Bay Island siblings. Bejewelled reefs and an anthology of marine life beckon snorkellers and scuba divers to the pristine underwater world, where rainbow coral and whale sharks cruise the currents. Colourful Garifuna culture blooms in energetic dance and traditional food, while island spirit is bottled at the Roatan Rum Company. Go fast or slow with hiking and fishing trips, paddle boarding or glass-bottomed boat rides. Tune into the tropics in mangrove forests and jungle eco-parks, where sleepy sloths slumber and bright-feathered macaws screech through the branches or pad across silky soft sands on the finest beaches in Central America.

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.

Spidery tendrils of the coast are dotted with quiet coves and hidden harbours in sublime Saint John, the smallest of the US Virgin Islands. Tune in to island time on Trunk Bay, where turquoise waters caress powder-soft sands; this is what Caribbean dreams are made of. The motherly arms of Virgin Islands National Park embrace two-thirds of the isle, an emerald expanse of protected forest etched with mountain valleys, indigenous rock art and the ruins of old sugar plantations, crisscrossed by a web of scenic hiking trails. Kayak into the knotted mangroves around Hurricane Hole or plunge below the waves at Maho Bay, where turtles and rays sluice through crystal-clear waters.

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.

In dainty Terre-de-Haute, diminutive sibling of Guadeloupe and queen of the Îles des Saintes, French charm and Caribbean culture are woven together in laid-back towns and sleepy fishing villages. High above, Fort Napoleon and Le Chameau peak are flanked by fragrant forests of fern and frangipani, overlooking picture-perfect landscapes bathed in golden sunlight and sailboats afloat on gin-clear bays.

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.