VICTORIA HOUSEGUATEMALAMEXICOHONDURASAntigua..Guatemala City.Flores.Placencia.Belize City victoria house You can enjoy technicolor sunsets from beside the beachfront pool at this elegant white-painted former plantation house (above), a short drive-by golf cart - from San Pedro. Large balconies offer Caribbean views across the well-tended gardens, awash with bougainvillea and hibiscus. Kayaking, fishing, diving and snorkelling are easily arranged: you can dip into the astounding Blue Hole dive site, a perfectly circular limestone sinkhole over 100m deep. 020 8747 8315 / journeylatinamerica.co.uk bookings, consultant advice and additional information 31how about?» Visiting Rio Dulce, Quiriguá or Copán as a side trip from Antigua (p26). » A few days in the jungle; Chan Chich Lodge (p28). Victoria House was everything one would expect from a high-class 'beach' hotel. SF, DerbyshireTikal National ParkMountain Pine Ridge Forest ReserveCoppola Lodges 13 days, 11 nightsAntigua 3 nights, Tikal (La Lancha Lodge) 2n, Blancaneaux Lodge 3n, Placencia (Turtle Inn) 3n.This is a holiday with a difference - we feature the three stylish properties owned and conceived by film-director Francis Ford Coppola, the design and furnishings of which reflect the wide-ranging travels of his family. Day 1 Fly to Guatemala City and drive to the former capital Antigua. Stay in a converted 17th century monastery. Days 2&3 Relax and take in the graceful beauty of this historic city and the trendy contemporary cafés and boutiques. Days 4&5 Drive to Guatemala City and fly to Flores. Stay at Coppola's stylish La Lancha Lodge overlooking Lake Petén, perfectly placed for kayaking or swimming. Excursion to the Mayan ruins of Tikal (p26). Days 6-8 A 3-hour drive into neighbouring Belize to Blancaneaux Lodge, set in the forested surroundings of Mountain Pine Ridge and enjoying a temperate climate all year. Optional excursions available include river trips and horse riding, and the wildlife viewing is highly rewarding. Days 9-11 Drive to Belize City and fly to sea-side Placencia. Stay at Turtle Inn (below). Diving, snorkelling and trips along Monkey River can be arranged at this Coppola property. Day 12 Fly to Belize City and continue to the UK arriving day 13. Prices from £1,878pp based on two sharing, excluding transatlantic flights. Daily from the UK TURTLE INN

This small, breathtakingly beautiful country is a treasure trove for the nature-lover. Separating the lowlands facing the Caribbean Sea and the Pacific Ocean is a range of active volcanoes surrounded by mountain cloud forest, lowland tropical jungle and savannah grasslands. Trees laden with orchids are home to quetzals, trogons and hummingbirds. On the Pacific coast, the jungle creeps down to the shoreline, enlivened by the chattering of monkeys and parrots; the Caribbean shore hosts volcanic beaches and palm-sheltered coves.There is a sophisticated, conservation-minded tourist infrastructure with a well-developed network of national parks; the many excellent hotels and lodges offer a high level of service and facilities. Road travel is always scenic and there are many light aircraft services to reach the remoter spots.32