An Extended Journey From Mayan Mysteries To Castaway Chic

Miami, located on the Atlantic coast at the southern tip of Florida, where outdoor sports are open all seasons and dress is casual, is a melting pot of cultures. Miami and Miami Beach are in effect two distinctly different cities, as Miami Beach is almost exclusively tourist orientated, while Miami is a cosmopolitan city with a distinctly Latin American flavour. Don’t miss the South Beach section where fashion designer Gianni Versace lived and died that is one of the trendiest neighbourhoods in the world. Read more about Miami, USA

With acres of unspoiled coastal land, vast natural resources and rich historic and cultural influences, Costa Maya offers visitors true insight into the essence of Mayan culture and the heritage of the Mexican Caribbean. While the port itself is home to: a modern tourist shopping mall; a central plaza with saltwater pools and swim-up style bars; as well as stores selling a mixture of souvenir items, most visitors enjoy going further afield. Costa Maya has the highest concentration of Mayan archeological sites and the largest existing Mayan population in Mexico. Read more about Costa Maya, Mexico

Belize City, the largest city in the Central American nation of Belize, is located at the mouth of the Belize River on the coast of the Caribbean Sea. For those who spend some time at this small but somehow sprawling metropolis - rather than leave immediately to visit the northern cays - the city will reveal a distinguished history, and several superb sights. These include the Cayo District's caves and the Maya archaeological sites along the Macal and Belize rivers. Read more about Belize City, Belize

Cozumel is a Caribbean island just off the Yucatan Peninsula in SE Mexico. It has grown steadily over the years since Jacques Cousteau first put the island on the map as a sea turtle sanctuary. While it has great beaches, friendly people and safe streets, with prices comparable to other Mexican tourist destinations, most visitors travel to Cozumel to see what is under the water. Read more about Cozumel, Mexico

Key West is a city on an island of the same name that lies off the coast of Florida USA. One of the biggest attractions on the island is a concrete replica of a buoy at the corner of South and Whitehead Streets, which claims to be the southernmost point in the continental 48 states. Although Key West today has been revitalised for the tourists, the town has retained some of its sense of individualism and isolation, especially away from the main streets. Read more about Key West, USA

Miami, located on the Atlantic coast at the southern tip of Florida, where outdoor sports are open all seasons and dress is casual, is a melting pot of cultures. Miami and Miami Beach are in effect two distinctly different cities, as Miami Beach is almost exclusively tourist orientated, while Miami is a cosmopolitan city with a distinctly Latin American flavour. Don’t miss the South Beach section where fashion designer Gianni Versace lived and died that is one of the trendiest neighbourhoods in the world. Read more about Miami, USA

Pointe-a-Pitre (“Headland of Peter”; population 172,000) is the largest city of Guadeloupe, an overseas region of France, located in the Lesser Antilles of the Caribbean. (The capital is Basse-Terre.) The inhabitants are called "Pointois". The port is on the island of Grande-Terre, facing west to nearby Basse-Terre Island. Read more about Pointe-a-Pitre, Guadeloupe

Marigot is the main town and capital in the French Collectivity of Saint Martin. St Martin comprises the northern 60% of a divided island in the Eastern Caribbean. (The southern 40% is Sint Maarten, of the Netherlands, and the only place where France borders the Netherlands.) St Martin lies at the northern tip of the Leeward Islands edging the Atlantic Ocean. Read more about Marigot, Guadeloupe

San Juan, the capital and most populous city of Puerto Rico, is the oldest city on US territory. It is the Caribbean commercial hub, best known for its beautifully restored historic district of Old San Juan. It is situated on a rocky peninsula girded by thick walls jutting into the crashing Atlantic surf. Read more about San Juan, Puerto Rico