Miami and Mexico: Magic City meets Mayan mystique

Off to the airport and into your plane to the legendary Sunshine State! After a few hours, it's time. 'Welcome to Miami'! With Will Smith's famous song in your head, you make your way to your hotel. You check in and put your feet up, but after a short while, your curiosity is just too strong. It's time to explore The Magic City! Your first stop? South Beach. The famous palm-lined Ocean Drive is just a stone's throw away. True to the motto 'see and be seen', you stroll between Miami's chic Art Deco buildings and let the salty ocean breeze blow through your hair. Hungry? Then head to Pink Taco! Here, you can try the best and most unusual taco creations and treat yourself to a delicious drink (payable on site). Cheers!

Ocean Drive was just the beginning. You can't wait to experience more of this unique city. But first you need a good breakfast (at your own expense). Our tip: head to Versailles Restaurant in Little Havana! Here, you can treat yourself to a hearty Cuban breakfast that'll make you question whether you're still in Miami or you've been teleported to Cuba. And when you walk down Calle Ocho, answering that question will be even harder. Let the Cuban way of life in the heart of the city sweep you off your feet. Discover restaurants and bars and find out which Cuban stars and starlets are immortalised here on the Calle Ocho Walk of Fame. And once you find yourself standing between the sparkling skyscrapers of the city's downtown area, you'll be reassured that you are in fact in Miami. When you get to Wynwood, your last stop for today, you'll see streets littered with graffiti and murals, each one more beautiful than the last. The former warehouses here are now home to countless art galleries, breweries and fancy fashion boutiques. And everywhere you look, you'll find perfect spots to snap some pics!

Back to the start! Today you're heading back to the airport and saying goodbye to the US. But there's no reason to be sad! As Miami gets smaller and smaller beneath you, your excitement about the adventure ahead grows with each passing minute until it's finally time: 'Hola, Mexico!' The warm sun tickles your skin as you step off the plane in the capital of the Yucatán.
Mérida in three words? Colourful, vibrant, lively! As soon as you've dropped your bags off, you dive right into the hustle and bustle – a total sensory overload! Our tip: Visit the Mercado Lucas de Gálvez and sample Mexican specialties, or grab a comfy spot in a cosy café between the historic villas on the Paseo de Montejo, Mérida's magnificent boulevard, and watch it all pass by.

The locals of Mérida are both warm and approachable. And so it's fitting that free walking tours through the city are offered every morning. Sign up at the Palacio Municipal on the western Plaza Grande and experience the city through the eyes of a local. Get tips and insider suggestions and follow the trail of the Maya, whose ancient symbols can be found everywhere. You can find Mérida's must-sees around the sprawling Plaza Grande, such as the Catedral de San Ildefonso, the oldest church in Mexico, which is a perfect example of how strongly intertwined faith and culture are in Mexico. And the pink town hall is a sight that's definitely hard to miss. If you're in the city on a Monday, be sure to come back in the evening when dancers and musicians come together for the Vaqueria, a traditional Mexican dance event.