Itinerary Highlights
    • Surf the American wave by combining the effervescence of New York and the good vibes of Mexico’s Riviera Maya
    • Stay in chic abodes ideally located in the Big Apple’s most popular neighbourhoods and directly on Tulum’s idyllic white sand
    • Explore Manhattan and Brooklyn with a local and pay a visit to MoMA
    • Dine in the treetops of Tulum

Contact one of our specialists + 44 (0) 20 3958 6120

If you’re searching for a holiday crammed with cool but struggling to decide between city and sea, look no further. Hipsters will be in heaven exploring two very different but equally rewarding destinations – iconic NYC and laidback Tulum. Ever evolving and ever electric, New York is a timeless city that’s alive with amazing things to see and do. First up, there’s the iconic skyline with its dizzyingly tall skyscrapers and places immortalised in movies. Then there’s the non-stop nightlife, from Times Square to Broadway musicals, world-class clubs to hip little hangouts. Manhattan also has retail therapy well and truly covered, with everything from huge department stores to sprawling flea markets.
Delicious food, gorgeous green spaces and galleries galore – there’s so much to pack into a trip to the city that never sleeps. Just walking along the streets and soaking up the unmistakable Big Apple vibe is a treat in itself. After the effervescence of the city, it’s time to sit back and soak up the bohemian sweetness of Mexico’s Caribbean Coast. Tulum is quintessential hippie chic. Often referred to as ‘New York on sea’, in the last decade it has emerged as the go-to destination of the American gypset, who parade the bleached beaches. Hotels line the seafront, while yoga retreats, Mayan spas, boho-chic shops, and trendy restaurants and bars are set along the fringes of the forest.

Route

Everything is 100% tailored to you
DAY 1

FLIGHT TO NEW YORK

After being whisked through check-in and security, enjoy some refreshments in the airport lounge before boarding your direct eight-hour flight to New York. When you land, a private chauffeur will be waiting to drive you to your lower Manhattan accommodation which will be your home for the next four nights. The hotel is ideally located at the intersection of three iconic areas: SoHo, East Village and the Lower East Side. A few steps away, you’ll find cultural hotspots such as the New Museum with its amazing architecture and the ICP (International Center of Photography), as well as the lush greenery of Sara D. Roosevelt Park.

DAYS 2 & 3

NEW YORK NEW YORK

With three full days to explore New York at leisure, the city is yours for the taking. For classic jaunts straight off the big (and small) screen, take a morning stroll or jog through Central Park, check out the awesome architecture of Central Station, then tuck into a stacked pastrami sandwich at Katz, and take in the panoramic views from the top of the Empire State Building – surely the world’s most famous skyscraper. Culture vultures can soak up the city’s history at Ellis Island and sip tea in MoMA’s garden (your entrance tickets are included), while keen shoppers can bargain hunt at DUMBO, stroll the Williamsburg flea or sample fresh food and drink at Brooklyn's farmer’s markets, before enjoying a martini and manicure break in the East Village.

For an active day, cycle along the Brooklyn Bridge, head to Queens via the Queensboro Bridge, or walk the High Line – the one-and-a-half-mile-long elevated park in the east of the city and one of New York’s best examples of urban regeneration. Sports fans can take a ride to Flushing Meadows, the legendary Mets' stadium in Queens, while hipsters will enjoy a nightcap at A-list hangouts such as The Mercer and The Standard.

Included in the itinerary is an informal walk with a native New Yorker, to discover the Lower East Side neighbourhood nestled in lower Manhattan. Cradle of immigration since the 19th century, the L.E.S. was for a long time disenchanted, but recently it has become the go-to destination for trendsetters, from tattoo artists and bearded hipsters to budding fashionistas. Known for its innovative food and drink scene, the only problem is deciding what to eat and where to go in a land of endless options. You can sample everything, from hearty Chinese hotpot and Hawaiian-style seafood to zesty Moroccan brunch specials and Filipino gastropub fare, as well as classic by-the-slice pizza at Stromboli. Wander down bustling treelined avenues bordered by elegant brownstone buildings for more foodie fun.

DAY 4

BROOKYLN WITH A LOCAL

Today, switch over to the Brooklyn side for a guided stroll in Bushwick and Williamsburg. This bohemian neighbourhood has an eclectic mix of people: indie rock musicians and up-and-coming artists rub shoulders with Hasidic Jews, descendants of Italian and Spanish immigrants, African Americans and more. Visit the flea market, where you can indulge in an impulse buy at the stalls bursting with vintage clothes, jewellery and other unusual souvenirs. The crafts market is the place to pick up street art style murals, handmade goods and delicious coffees and chocolates. Finally, pop into the classic record shops that have revived a love of vinyl. Other options for your final day in New York include a helicopter flight offering spectacular aerial views of Manhattan Island, and a guided walk round the wide boulevards and art deco buildings of the South Bronx.

DAY 5

TIME FOR TULUM

It’s time to bid goodbye to the hustle and bustle of the city and say hello to the bleached beaches of Mexico. You’ll be privately transferred to the airport ahead of the four-hour flight to Cancun, where you’ll collect your rental car and drive to Tulum (the journey takes around one-and-a-half hours). Get set for four nights in a blissful waterfront property, boasting hammocks and other serene spots.

DAYS 6 to 8

BLISSFUL BEACHES AND TREETOP DINING

Settle in for three full days of R&R, enjoying your charming accommodation and the exquisite beach, or discovering the surrounding area at your leisure. If you can bear to leave your lounger, there’s a wealth of stunning sights to explore including numerous cenotes and the ancient city of Tulum, which offers an unbeatable combination of impressive architecture and exceptional nature. Originally called Zamá – Mayan for ‘City of Dawn’ – it’s located on a cliff, facing the sunrise, and surrounded by walls to defend the fort from invasions. With access to both land and sea, it became a key trade hub and an important site for the worship of the serpent-god Kukulkan.

Other excellent excursions include sailing through the mangroves of the Sian Ka'an Nature Reserve and visiting IK LAB – a contemporary art gallery suspended in the jungle. Of course, there’s also the option to simply relax on the powdery sand and in the lush garden of your hotel. Each to their own. As a special treat, we can make you a reservation at a stunning luxury restaurant that serves modern Mayan food, built into the jungle canopy of Tulum, complete with an open-air kitchen, pergola covered tables, and a varied menu featuring quality cocktails. There’s also the option to discover the incredible Punta Laguna reserve.

DAYS 9 & 10

HOMEWARD BOUND

After a final look at the dreamy sea views, drive to Cancun airport in good time for your direct flight home. The journey takes around one-and-a-half hours and, once you’ve returned the rental car, you can make the most of the airport lounge facilities before boarding your nine-and-a-half-hour overnight flight, arriving in London the following day.

A la carte

THE SOUTH BRONX IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF A LOCAL



In the company of a native New Yorker, this tour provides a good overview of the South Bronx, its rich history, cultural diversity and thriving art scene. Enjoy strolling along The Grand Concourse, once the most affluent boulevard in The Bronx. The main thoroughfare in the magnificent Art Deco district is home to numerous small galleries, museums and street art. Learn first-hand the history and cultural nuances of this once prominent neighbourhood, its dark period in the 1970s and 80s and its gradual return to becoming one of the interesting areas in the city. The visit also includes highlights such as the famous Yankee Stadium and Mott Haven.



ACTIVITIES IN PRISTINE PUNTA LAGUNA RESERVE



Nestled deep in the jungle, Punta Laguna Reserve sits on the border between the states of Quintana Roo and Yucatán. Visitors flock here to try to spot its iconic spider monkeys and to meet the Mayan communities that live amid its fascinating fauna and flora including howler monkeys, jaguars and pumas. Punta Laguna is also home to impressive lagoons and cenotes surrounded by lush jungle that can be explored by bike and canoe or whizzed over by zip line. As the reserve is managed and run by the Mayan community who know the area best, your entrance fees will help to ensure the area’s residents continue to thrive.

A Rough Idea of Price

Dependent on season, accommodation and activities
The estimated cost for this trip starts from £3,055 to £4,170 per person. The final cost of the trip depends on the way we tailor it especially for you. The final cost varies according to several factors, which include the level of service, length of trip and advance booking time. The exact price will be provided on your personalised quote. The average starting price for this trip is £3,650 per person.
A few of the benefits of travelling with us
Get in touch
Our experts have the inside track on the destinations they sell and will tailor-make a holiday to your unique requirements.
Contact one of our Mexico specialists