Day 1: London → Madrid → Havana
Fly with Air Europa from London Heathrow to Havana via Madrid (Business Class on request). At present, Air Europa's LHR–HAV service includes a tech stop in Santo Domingo because of Cuba's aviation-fuel constraints, total elapsed time around 18 hours door-to-door. You are met at José Martí International Airport by your Cuba representative and transferred privately to the Gran Hotel Manzana Kempinski in the heart of Old Havana. A welcome cocktail is held for you in the rooftop bar; the Plaza Vieja is two minutes' walk away.
Day 2: Havana, Old Town walking with your guide
A late breakfast at the Kempinski. Your private guide collects you mid-morning for a walking tour of Old Havana, Plaza de la Catedral, Plaza Vieja, Plaza de Armas, the Bodeguita del Medio for the obligatory mojito stop and Hemingway's old haunts. Lunch at Paladar La Guarida (the iconic film-set restaurant from Fresa y Chocolate, booked in advance for you). Afternoon at leisure. Sunset cocktails at the Kempinski's rooftop pool, looking across the city to the Capitolio.
Day 3: Havana, classic-car tour & Hemingway day
Mid-morning, your private classic American convertible (1955 Chevy or similar) collects you for a tour of central Havana, the Malecón seafront, the Hotel Nacional gardens, Vedado's art-deco mansions and a stop at Finca Vigía, Ernest Hemingway's house in San Francisco de Paula. Lunch in Cojímar at La Terraza, Hemingway's favoured fishing-village restaurant. Return to the Kempinski via the Malecón at golden hour. Evening at El Floridita for daiquiris and live son. We hold a private table for two at El Cocinero for dinner.
Day 4: Havana → Varadero (Paradisus Royal Service)
Morning at leisure, perhaps a final stroll through Plaza de la Catedral, or a stop at the Habana Club Rum Museum. After lunch, your private driver transfers you east along the north coast, a two-hour scenic drive with optional stops at the Hershey rail line and Matanzas. Check-in at Paradisus Varadero Royal Service: adults-only, beachfront, with the resort's premium Royal Service tier including butler service, private à la carte restaurants and a dedicated Royal Service pool. Welcome amenities for the honeymoon couple.
Day 5: Varadero, beach & spa
A genuinely free day. Varadero's 20-kilometre beach is among the world's finest white sands. The Royal Service tier includes complimentary couples' massages in the YHI Spa, book on arrival. Choose between beach, pool or watersports (kayak, paddleboard and catamaran sailing all included). Dinner at Hemingway, the resort's seafood restaurant on the beach with sunset views.
Day 6: Varadero, Cayo Blanco catamaran
Optional but recommended: a private-charter catamaran (or small-group sail) to Cayo Blanco for the day. Snorkel over the coral reef, swim with bonefish in the shallows, and lunch on the boat as you sail back. Return to Paradisus mid-afternoon for the spa, the beach or a quiet hour by the Royal Service pool. Live music in the evening, typically traditional Cuban son and trova.
Day 7: Varadero at leisure
Your third Varadero day is yours: a final beach morning, a session at the YHI Spa's hammam, an afternoon at the Mansión Xanadú golf course, or simply a quiet afternoon with a good book on your terrace. Tonight we hold a candle-lit private dinner for you on the beach, included with the honeymoon package, a long table, hurricane lanterns, a four-course menu and the Atlantic at your feet.
Day 8: Varadero → Havana → Cancún → Rosewood Mayakoba
After breakfast, your private driver transfers you back to Havana for your direct flight to Cancún (Cubana or Aeromexico, 90 minutes). On arrival in Cancún, your Mexican representative meets you and transfers you privately to Rosewood Mayakoba (45 minutes south). Welcome amenities in your suite, dinner at Casa del Lago on the lagoon, and the second chapter begins.
Day 9: Rosewood Mayakoba, settle in
A full Rosewood day. Your suite, lagoon-fronted with a private plunge pool, opens onto 130 acres of mangrove. Breakfast at Casa del Lago, then a slow morning by your pool. Walk the boardwalk to the private beach, swim, lunch at Punta Bonita on the sand. Afternoon at Sense, A Rosewood Spa, the property's flagship, for a couple's ceremony of your choice (book on arrival).
Day 10: Tulum & cenote day
Private guided day: Tulum's clifftop Maya ruins above the Caribbean, then on to a private cenote (typically Gran Cenote or Cenote Azul) for swimming and snorkelling in crystal-clear freshwater. Lunch at Hartwood's sister restaurant or at one of Tulum's beach-club lunches. Return to Mayakoba in the late afternoon.
Day 11: Mayakoba at leisure
A flexible day. Many couples choose the El Camaleón golf course (designed by Greg Norman, PGA Tour venue), a private cooking class with Casa del Lago's head chef, a longer Sense Spa session or simply a beach day. We can arrange any combination on the day.
Day 12: Sian Ka'an Biosphere Reserve
A private guided day to Sian Ka'an, UNESCO World Heritage and one of the largest protected marine reserves in Mexico. Boat into the lagoons, drift down the Maya canals, snorkel the reef and observe the dolphins, manatees and seabirds that make this one of the great wildlife sanctuaries of the Caribbean. Lunch on the boat.
Day 13: Mayakoba at leisure
A second flexible day. Recommended: a cycling exploration of Mayakoba's lagoons and bridges (the resort has 600+ bicycles for guest use), a final Sense Spa session, or simply a long beach morning. We hold a private dinner at El Pueblito, the resort's newest restaurant, Mexican cuisine, mezcal pairings, and the lights of the lagoons reflected in the water.
Day 14: Cancún → Madrid → London
Late morning departure from Mayakoba for Cancún International Airport, where you check in for your Air Europa flight back to London Heathrow via Madrid. Arrive home the following day. We arrange in-airport assistance throughout for a seamless return.
