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An Extended Journey of Coastal Cosmopolitan Cities Itinerary
Day 1 - Los Angeles, California
Surrounded by ocean, mountains, forest, and desert, gilded with crystal-clear light and the rich diversity of people, LA glows with a heavenly quality. A blend of neighbourhoods each radiating with their own distinct vibe and character: Beverly Hills with its legendary shopping along Rodeo Drive; Hollywood with its movie studios; and Bel Air with its stately mansions. Relive the glory days of Tinseltown in downtown landmarks. Discover museums that hold illuminating works of Shakespeare, Thoreau and one of 12 surviving original Guttenberg Bibles. Then feel the creative firmament of mother nature at Santa Monica and Malibu Beaches. Truly, the stars have aligned to create such a legendary galaxy of sites.
Day 2 - San Diego, California
San Diego exudes a beachy-chic, active, effortless elegance. Renowned for its idyllic climate, pristine beaches, and charming neighbourhoods. The Gas Lamp Quarter, where Wild West outlaws like Wyatt Earp once roamed, will steal your heart with theatre, art, and music. Little Italy, once home to generations of Italian seafaring families, now alive with cosy cafés and wine bars. Stunning Balboa Park, with its gorgeous gardens, impressive museums, and its richly historic El Prado District (listed on the National Registry of Historic Places), is rimmed with gardens and architectural gems from the early 1900s. Coastal La Jolla, one of the most popular beach destinations in California, is rich for kayaking, biking and wine strolls. You’ll agree with Forbes magazine that this is the “coolest city by the sea”.
Day 4 - Cabo San Lucas
At the southernmost tip of the Baja Peninsula, a massive outcropping of volcanic rock, known as The Arch, is the beacon of welcome to this arid region of golden beaches and rugged mountains. Aboriginal inhabitants, the Pericú, flourished with the bounty of the sea. The waters still brim with so much biodiversity, Jacques Cousteau called it “the aquarium of the world”. Deep-sea fishing and scuba diving are as popular below the surface as sunbathing and celebrity sightings are above. World-class golf is set on some of the sport’s most cinematic courses whilst deep-sea fishing catches weigh-in amongst the sports more massive. Tour agave farms to taste tequila or stroll art galleries with wine, you will discover Cabo is a muse that tempts you to return again and again.
Day 6 - Puerto Vallarta
Hugging the cerulean Banderas Bay, Puerto Vallarta is a stunning resort city set against the rugged Sierra Madres and the powerful Ameca River. The indigenous Aztatlan lived in this paradise when the Spanish arrived in the 1500s and chronicled the area’s natural beauty still home to birds, humpback whales, and dolphins. Now, bordered by the busiest malecón (waterfront esplanade) in all of Mexico, restaurants and nightclubs go from dusk until dawn. From there, cobblestone streets climb up the hills to reveal galleries, boutiques, and cafés. The perfect place to toast the sunset and Mexico’s natural beauty teeming with life.
Day 9 - Puerto Quetzal
From time immemorial, this region has witnessed cultural, geographical, and political upheaval. Its position adjacent to fertile lowlands that run the length of the gorgeous black shoreline made it a strategic home to ancient civilisations. Pre-Olmec carved stone heads, the massive “fat gods”, are preserved nearby. Spanish conquistadors valued it as a gateway between the Americas. Just beyond, volcanoes strike boldly from the landscape where the Spanish crowned Antigua the capital of the Kingdom of Guatemala. Now a UNESCO-protected village filled with breath-taking scenery – Spanish Baroque-influenced architecture, brightly-coloured colonial buildings, and a lovely central square. Positioned in pursuit of purpose.
Day 13 - Quepos (Puerto Quepos)
A tropical inlet surrounded by rainforest on Costa Rica’s central Pacific coast, Quepos is one of the best places in the world to immerse yourself in waterfalls and wonders where the rainforest meets the sea. Renowned as the gateway to Manuel Antonio National Park (which recently received an Elite-level Certificate of Sustainable Tourism) where mangroves, lagoons, and virgin beaches shelter howler, white-faced and squirrel monkeys. Off-shore waters teem with whales, dolphin, blue marlin, and swordfish. In-land jungles offer hikes to Nauyaca waterfall, 360 species of brightly feathered birds, zip-lining and canyoning, or walking the Baru River to hear the quietude of nature. As prized as quaint Quepos is for eco-adventure, its beaches rank among the top 25 in the world, too.
Day 15 - Panama City
Framed by two oceans connected by the singular Panama Canal (the 7th Wonder of the Modern World) this vibrant and dynamic urban centre is truly a city on the world’s stage of commerce and ecology. Sleek skyscrapers are surrounded by pristine nature. Soberanía National Park protects a bounty of flora and fauna minutes from downtown. Casco Antiguo, the cobblestoned colonial centre, is a lovely labyrinth of churches, palaces, and plazas lined with cafes and the best champagne rooftop bars in the city. A UNESCO creative hub for gastronomy, it is home to a vibrant and diverse food scene led by world-class chefs. An incredible cultural crossroads sure to connect you to the uncommon.
Day 17 - Cartagena
Sparkle in this jewel of the Caribbean; the cultured and very colourful Cartagena. Saunter or ride by Segway through a maze of cobbled streets for historic architecture, bougainvillea-dripping plazas, old churches and chic eateries where you’ll discover a blend of Caribbean cool and Colombian sophistication. Learn new cooking techniques with a personal chef, birdwatch at the National Aviary, visit botanical gardens, take a cycle tour or head to Turbaco. Roam offshore to Islas Del Rosario for magnificent beaches and snorkelling through colourful coral reefs. And as the sun sets over the ancient city walls, prepare for an intoxicating nightlife scene - in no time you’ll be sipping moreish mojitos, nodding to reggaeton and - once really in the spirit - gyrating to the salsa.
Day 22 - Ocean Cay, MSC Marine Reserve
Wander into the reality of a serene Bahamian dream. Alluring, exclusive and eco-friendly, an escape to this island marine reserve is possibly the world’s most coveted invite. Slowly snorkel, gently paddle board or glide over aquamarine waters by boat. Wonder at marine life and nature in its natural habitat, visit the marina, lighthouse, lagoon and pastel-hued buildings. Recline for a beachside massage, settle into a lazy lunch, sip endless rum cocktails and sink into powdery white sands cooled by the soothing sways of palm leaves. If paradise was packaged, this island might be the finest gift.
Day 23 - Miami, Florida
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.