Cool Combo

Miami and Belize

DAY 1 FLIGHT TO MIAMI

Board your ten-hour flight from London to Miami, where you’ll be welcomed upon arrival and privately transferred to your hotel in Miami Beach. Spend three nights staying near South Beach in an elegant hotel with an arty style and pastel colour palette, complete with a few vintage touches. There's a small, rooftop swimming pool and, for those who prefer the beach, the hotel is within easy walking and cycling distance of the promenade (bikes are even on hand at the door). As an added bonus, young, local artists are supported here and some of their pieces are on display (and for sale) in the rooms.

DAYS 2 & 3 MIAMI BEACH

Explore Miami Beach at your own pace with a day’s bike hire, which includes the loan of a helmet, bike lock and handy city map. Art Deco was incorporated into most of the reconstructions after a hurricane devastated Miami Beach in 1926, so it’s worth spending some time admiring these beautiful buildings. For example, the Bass Museum of Art hides a collection of contemporary works behind its pretty facade. There are no cars on Lincoln Road, so pedestrians are free to go shopping, enjoy cafe terraces and visit galleries. And then there's the beach, which is constantly under the watchful eye of the lifeguards from the famous lifeguard towers.

The following day, head out on a boat tour of Everglades National Park. Sprawled across the tip of the Florida peninsula, Everglades is one of the few America Parks which is also lucky enough to have been designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. With an extraordinary array of aquatic habitats, the park is home to myriad birds and reptiles, as well as some endangered species. The two-hour boat trip is led by an expert guide, who will help you spot birds and dolphins along the way.

DAY 4 MIAMI BEACH - BELIZE CITYSAN IGNACIO

Following a private transfer to the airport, you’ll take a two-and-a-half-hour flight from Miami to Belize City. Upon arrival you’ll be privately transferred to your hotel in San Ignacio.

Spend three nights staying in the middle of a jungle, waking each morning in your river view cabin to the wild surroundings. With simple yet comfortable décor, your lodge comes complete with hammocks on the terrace, where you can enjoy your morning coffee and spend afternoons napping. Located beside the Macal River, there are plenty of activities that can be organised during your stay, including bird watching, river boat rides and ziplining. The cuisine here centres around local produce and you’ll be served dishes which feature homemade bread and goat’s cheese, as well as avocados, fresh tropical fruits, and coffee from neighbouring Guatemala.

DAYS 5 & 6 SAN IGNACIO

During your stay in San Ignacio, discover the beautiful Actun Tunichil Muknal cave alongside an expert guide, which is only accessible by swimming. Uncovered in 1989 and opened to the public in 1998, the three-mile deep cave is filled with an array of stalactites and stalagmites, which make for fascinating surroundings as you swim through the cavernous space. The tour also includes a visit to the well-preserved skeletal remains of the Crystal Maiden (who acts as the guardian of the cave) and a picnic lunch.

While here, you can also admire the rainforest from 490 feet above the treeline while flying through the foliage on a zipline near the Caves Branch River.

DAY 7 HOPKINS

Today you will be privately transferred from your hotel in San Ignacio to Hopkins, where you’ll spend the remainder of your trip enjoying Belize’s coastline and coral reef.

Spend four nights staying in a laid-back beachfront retreat, which is the epitome of a tropical paradise, with its white-sand beaches and turquoise waters. Some of the rooms even come complete with their own plunge pool and ocean views. Enjoy local and international dishes at the hotel restaurant, where you’ll find a menu full of seasonal ingredients and local flavours. The onsite spa is an oasis of calm and relaxation, offering luxurious treatments which will leave you feeling revitalised and ready to explore Belize’s underwater world.

Days 8 TO 10 LAUGHING BIRD CAYE

Belize's coral reef is carefully cared for, keeping it in a remarkable state of conservation. The health of corals is a key indicator of the health of the entire ecosystem. From single-cell algae to large hammerhead sharks and numerous turtles, there's so much marine life to be discovered here. Underwater adventures are the main thing to do in this area, however, Hopkins is also great to use as a base for exploring inland, including the Cockscomb Jaguar Reserve basin (home to around 50 jaguars), the mangroves (where you can spot endangered manatees) and Placencia (known for its palm-lined beaches). At sunset, visit one of the many bars in the village, sit back and relax with your feet in the sand and the rhythm of reggae in your ears.

Spend a day snorkelling or diving in Laughing Bird Caye, which has been a national park since 1991 and is named after the laughing gulls which used to live here. Today the reserve is home to myriad other bird species, including brown pelicans, green heron, lizards and turtles. The dinky island forms part of Belize’s Barrier Reef Reserve System, which has been a designated World Heritage Site since 1996. As well as breath-taking day dives, nights dives with a guide can also be included in your itinerary, during which you’ll have the chance to spot mysterious Toad Fish and Lemon Sharks.

DAYS 11 & 12 HOPKINS – BELIZE CITY – RETURN FLIGHT

Today a private transfer will take you from Hopkins to Belize City Airport. From Belize you’ll fly to Miami, before catching your overnight flight back from Miami to London, arriving home the next day.