Day 1: Australia - - Los

Angeles/Dallas - -

Mexico City

Depart Australia today to

begin your Mexico, Cuba

discovery! Upon arrival in Los

Angeles/Dallas transfer to

your flight to Mexico City. On

arrival into Mexico City, you will be met and transferred to your hotel.

Day 2: Mexico City – Teotihuacan – Mexico City (B)

Today’s tour begins with a visit to the Shrine of Guadalupe where you will see the

original image of the Virgin Mary appearing on a simple piece of fabric belonging to

the famous Indian Juan Diego. You will see both the 18th century Basilica and the

Basilica dedicated about three decades ago to the Virgin. Continue on to the ancient

site of Teotihuacan, meaning, “Where men become Gods.” Here you will have the

opportunity to climb the amazing Pyramids of the Sun and Moon, visit the palace of

Quetzal-Butterfly (the feathered serpent temple), the Avenue of the Dead and the

Citadel. Afternoon return to your hotel.

Day 3: Mexico City – Puebla - Oaxaca (B)

Depart Mexico City and with some luck you will have a view of Volcanoes

Popocatepetl and Iztaccihuatl. Puebla is often referred to as the “City of the Angels”,

with more than seventy churches and a thousand other colonial buildings in the

central area alone- many decorated with hand painted tiles. On the tour you will have

a guided walk to discover the cities plazas, its Main Square, Baroque Palaces and its

Cathedral. You will also visit Cholula, a much smaller city however still containing

366 churches and the biggest pyramid on earth. Late afternoon you will be

transferred to the bus station in Puebla, where you will take the journey to Oaxaca

(approximately 4 ½ hours). Upon arrival into Oaxaca you will be met and transferred

to your hotel. Oaxaca is a lovely place filled with colonial style buildings, plazas and

cafes with a relaxed but energetic vibe

Return international Return airport transfers in

Mexico All internal Mexico

airfares Return Mexico – Cuba

airfares 7 night deluxe MSC Cuba

& Central America cruise 11 nights in centrally-

located accommodation in Mexico

1 night convenient airport accommodation in Mexico

Breakfast daily, plus all meals while on your cruise

In-depth sightseeing

22 Day Best of Mexico &

Cuba

29 August 2017 26 September 2017 24 October 2017 27 March 2018 24 April 2018 22 May 2018 5 June 2018 3 July 2018 31 July 2018 25 September 2018 23 October 2018

#1 Online Travel Company in Australia

Webjet Approved Guides

Webjet Crafted Itineraries

Always Includes Flights

No Hassel Easy Booking Process

(B) - Breakfast / (L) - Lunch / (D) - Dinner

Flight

Cruise

Train

Day 4: Oaxaca – Monte Alban – Oaxaca (B)

This morning, you will be collected from your hotel and transferred to the airport to board

your flight to Havana, Cuba! On arrival, make your own way from the airport to the port

where you will board your deluxe cruise ship for the next 7 nights! The ship is ported in

Havana for the next 2 days, once you have check-in you are free to begin enjoying the laid

back Cuban life. Havana is Cuba’s capital city. Spanish colonial architecture in its 16th-

century Old Havana core includes the Castillo de la Real Fuerza, a fort and maritime

museum. The National Capitol Building is an iconic 1920s landmark. Also in Old Havana is

the baroque Catedral de San Cristóbal and Plaza Vieja, whose buildings reflect the city’s

vibrant architectural mix.

Day 5: Oaxaca - - Tuxtla - - Sumidero Canyon – San Cristobal (B)

At the pre-appointed time, you will be transferred to the airport for your departure flight

to Tuxtla. You will be met at Tuxtla airport and transferred to the marina where you will

join a speedboat ride (for about 1 ½ hours) through Sumidero Canyon, which in places

reaches heights of up to 1200 metres. Along the way you may see a variety of bird life,

including herons, egrets, cormorants, vultures or kingfishes, and perhaps even a crocodile

or two. Next you will be transferred to your hotel in San Cristobal de Las Casas.

Day 6: San Cristobal de Las Casas (B)

Today on your tour you will visit the main plaza including the cathedral and the Santo

Domingo church to the north of the centre. Next you will visit the Indian villages of

Chamula and Zinacantan around San Cristobal. The Indians here are descendants of the

ancient Maya and among Mexico’s most traditional. Chamula, 10 km northwest of San

Cristobal is the centre for some unique religious practices and your visit will include a stop

at the church on the main plaza. Return to San Cristobal, with the remainder of the day at

leisure.

Day 7: San Cristobal de Las Casas - Palenque (B)

After breakfast, you will be picked up from your hotel and transferred to Palenque

The 210-km journey takes you from the cool, misty highlands to the steaming lowland

jungle, with first a stop at the beautiful Agua Azul waterfalls. Upon arrival in Palenque,

tour to the impressive Mayan ruins. Although only a dozen of Palenque’s nearly 500

buildings have been excavated, the site is spectacular with its Mayan architecture and

being surrounded by emerald jungle. As you explore the ruins, try to picture the grey stone

structures’, painted bright red, as they would have been at the peak of Palenque’s power.

Day 8: Palenque – Villahermosa - - Merida (B,L)

Today you will be transferred to Villahermosa airport for the flight to Merida. Our local

representative will meet you as you exit from the arrival hall for transfer to your hotel, with

the remainder of the day free. Merida is the capital of the state of Yucatan and is a

charming city of narrow streets, colonial buildings and lovely parks. Most points of

interest, including shops and restaurants are situated within five blocks of the main square,

or otherwise on the tree-lined boulevard Paseo de Montejo. If you happen to be in Merida

on a weekend, be sure to spend some time in the streets around the main square, as they

are blocked from traffic, restaurants spill out onto the pavement, and the whole city centre

comes alive with music and dancing.

Day 9: Merida (B)

Enjoy a full day tour to the ruins of Uxmal and Kabah. The archaeological site of Uxmal is

located 80 kms from Merida and is considered one of the most beautiful Mayan cities.

According to a legend; the big pyramid known as Del Adivino was constructed overnight

by a dwarf. In Uxmal you can observe the traditional Mayan architecture similar to that

found in the famous Mayan site of Chichen Itza. Kabah is one of the largest cities of the

Puuc region during the 9th and 10th century. Later in the afternoon return to Merida for

your overnight.

Day 10: Merida – Chichen Itza – Playa del Carmen (B)

Early morning departure for the 2 ½ hour trip to the archaeological site of Chichen Itza.

This is the most famous and best restored of the Yucutan Peninsula’s Mayan sites. During

your guided tour you will visit ancient buildings including; The Observatory, Pyramid of

Kukulkan standing nearly 25 metres tall, the Jaguar Temple, the Sacred Well and the Ball

Court. Next you will be transferred to Cancun, from where you will change vehicles and be

transferred to the stunning beaches of Playa del Carmen and your hotel. Once just a simple

fishing village, Playa del Carmen has become a popular resort town. The area boasts

gorgeous beaches, coral reefs and lively nightlife. During your stay be sure to stroll down

the pedestrian street of Avenida Quinta, with its numerous restaurants, bars and shops.

Day 11: Playa del Carmen (B)

Time at leisure to relax at the white sandy beaches of Playa del Carmen or perhaps take an

optional tour to ruins of Tulum and Xel-ha, or the natural lagoon 500 metres north of the

ruins of Xel-ha.

Day 12: Playa del Carmen - - Havana, Cuba (B,D)

This morning, you will be collected from your hotel and transferred to the airport to board

your flight to Havana, Cuba! On arrival, make your own way from the airport to the port

where you will board your deluxe cruise ship for the next 7 nights! The ship is ported in

Havana for the next 2 days, once you have check-in you are free to begin enjoying the laid

back Cuban life. Havana is Cuba’s capital city. Spanish colonial architecture in its 16th-

century Old Havana core includes the Castillo de la Real Fuerza, a fort and maritime

museum. The National Capitol Building is an iconic 1920s landmark. Also in Old Havana is

the baroque Catedral de San Cristóbal and Plaza Vieja, whose buildings reflect the city’s

vibrant architectural mix.

Day 13: Havana, Cuba (B,L,D)

Today is a full day ported in Havana. You are free to explore Havana at your leisure or

enjoy one of the ships optional excursions (on own account).

Day 14: At sea (B,L,D)

Enjoy the day at sea as your ship makes its way from Cuba, to the coast of Belize. You are

free to do as little or as much as you like on board your ship.

Day 15: Belize City, Belize (B,L,D)

This morning, your ship is ported in Belize City. For those who spend some time in Belize

City, this town will reveal a distinguished history, several superb sights and fascinating

cultural spectacles. The city’s astonishing energy comes from its 76,000-plus inhabitants,

who represent every ethnic group in the country, with the Creole descendants of former

slaves and British Baymen forming the dominant element and generating an easy-going

Caribbean atmosphere.

Day 16: Islas de la Bahía, Honduras (B,L,D)

Wake up today in Roatán, Honduras! The biggest sea-related tourist attraction of Honduras

are the Islas de la Bahía, an archipelago composed of three main islands and over sixty

surrounding minor islands. With a low mountain chain crossing it from end to end,

Roatán, like the other islands in the bay, has deep coves protected by coral reefs along the

coast facing Honduras, which have proved a safe landing place for ships through the

centuries. Its main settlement, Coxen Hole or Roatán Town, took its name from the pirate

John Coxon, who seems to have anchored his ship here at the end of the 15th century. Now

the times of the pirates are past; however, if you disembark here, you will be able to visit a

modern reconstruction of an old galleon at Dixon Cove.

Day 17: Costa Maya, Mexico (B,L,D)

Puerto Costa Maya, where the cruise ships dock, is out of sight north of Mahahual, but its

influence is felt on cruise-ship days, when the village springs to life with souvenir stands

and jet-ski rentals along the slick seafront promenade, an extremely miniature version of

Playa del Carmen. The ruins in the area are seldom visited by anyone other than enormous

butterflies and wild parrots, are beautifully situated, peering out above the treetops. The

buildings date from the late pre-Classic to the Classic periods (100–900 AD) and the

majority are in the Río Bec architectural style. Foliage has reclaimed most of them, except

for the Templo de los Mascarones, which is named after the five 2m-high stucco masks that

decorate its facade.

Day 18: Isla de la Juventud, Cuba (B,L,D)

Today, find yourself back in Cuba! Isla de la Juventud could have served as an inspiration

for the perfect deserted island setting for a thousand different adventures thought up by

writers such as Stevenson and Barrie. Punta Frances owes its name to the origin of the

French Pirates François Leclerc or Jean Latrobe that during the 17th Century were finding

shelter in the territory. Also known as Isla de Pinos (Isle of Pines), most of Isle of Youth’s

territory is dedicated to the preservation of nature. Punta Frances National Park runs along

the southern coast of the island and has been protecting the Cuban sea species for over 30

years; it preserves an astounding wildlife – American crocodiles, lizards, elusive manatees,

butterflies – and a dry tropical forest with the largest parrot population of Cuba.

Day 19: Havana - – Mexico City (B,L,D)

This morning your cruise comes to an end back in Havana. Upon disembarking, make your

way back to the airport to board your flights back to Mexico City. Due to scheduling, it is

necessary to overnight in Mexico, before continuing your journey home. Your hotel is

located right near the airport and offers a shuttle to transfer you quickly to your overnight

stay.

Day 20: Mexico City - – Los Angeles/Dallas - – Australia (B)

Today, at the appropriate time re-board the hotel shuttle to the airport for your homeward

flight.

Day 21: In flight

Day 22: Australia

Arrive home today