Mexico’s history dates back to approximately 8,000 BC, and it is recognised as one of the world’s five cradles of civilisation. Over thousands of years, advanced Mesoamerican cultures — including the Olmec, Zapotec, Teotihuacan, Mayan and Aztec civilisations — shaped the region. In 1521, the Spanish conquered the powerful city of Mexico-Tenochtitlan, now Mexico City, establishing colonial rule that lasted until independence was achieved in 1821.

We’ll begin in modern-day Mexico City, where layers of pre-Columbian, colonial, and contemporary history coexist. Our itinerary is planned so that we’re in Mexico City for the iconic Day of the Dead festival.

Mexico is home to some of the most significant ancient sites in the Americas: Monte Albán, once the greatest Zapotec city, and the remarkable Mayan centres of Palenque, Uxmal and Chichen Itza. Travelling through the country’s cultural heartland, we’ll experience the warmth and hospitality for which Mexicans are well known.

In Cuba, human settlement dates back some 5,000 years, and in 1492, Christopher Columbus claimed the island for Spain. Today, Old Havana is home to some of the Americas' best-preserved Spanish architecture, alongside a vibrant contemporary energy shaped by music, art, and daily Cuban life. Trinidad’s UNESCO-listed old town offers another step back in time, with colourful buildings and cobblestone streets.

The clichés of Cuba are a must-see. Locals dancing the salsa, mambo and rumba, men leisurely smoking fat cigars and drinking rum, and reminders of the revolutionary figure, Che Guevara. Of course, the quintessential postcard of Cuba is the 1950s Buicks and Chevys – spotted all over the country. Together, Mexico and Cuba offer a journey defined by history, resilience, culture and character.