Exploring Guatemala and Belize

We fly you into Guatemala City, and transfer you to the country’s old capital, Antigua, a sublime colonial town of cobbled streets, colourful markets, tantalising restaurants and a lovely, laid-back atmosphere. With the charming boutique hotel El Convento as your base, you'll spend the next few days investigating colonial churches, haggling for handicrafts and perhaps trekking the smouldering volcanoes that guard this jewel of a town.

On to Lake Atitlan, a stunning expanse of glittering water, whose edges are dotted with tiny Mayan villages, and beyond looms an evocative backdrop of mighty volcanoes. Settle into your home for the next few nights, Casa Palopo, before exploring the lake on a kayak or heading into nearby market town Chichicastenango.

From this tranquil lake setting you’ll fly to the tropical lowlands of the north where, shrouded in jungle, lies Tikal, a half-excavated Mayan city, home to parrots, howler monkeys and towering temples that puncture the forest canopy. Clamber over the crumbling ruins to get a peek over treetops that stretch to the horizon, and lose yourself in the pristine rainforest that witnessed the rise and fall of this beguiling civilisation. Retreat to the Francis Ford Coppola-owned La Lancha when you’re ready to swap ruins for luxurious lodgings.

Next, hit the beaches of Placencia, on Belize's south coast which you’ll reach on a connecting flight via Belize City. We’ll take you to the tropical paradise that is Turtle Inn, Francis Ford Coppola's lavish beach escape, where superlative diving and snorkelling is right on your doorstep. Spend your days swinging on a hammock strung up between palm trees, riding bicycles from along the coast, and feasting on freshly-caught seafood from one of the hotel’s three restaurants. On your final day, relish the last hours of beachside bliss at Turtle Inn before flying home via Belize City.