An Italian Journey

This fabulous 18 day journey to Costa Rica, Panama City and Miami arranged through Audley Travel starts in the Central Valley, (25 minutes from San Jose). The trip continues to Arenal (rainforest), Monteverde (cloud forest) and Manuel Antonio (rainforest/beach). Panama is the next stop for two nights to experience the canal transit tour then onto Miami for four nights at South Beach. Day One Fly from London Gatwick to San Jose Juan Santamaria International Airport. Spend a couple of days in the Central Valley surrounded by coffee plantations relaxing and acclimatising to your surroundings. Day Three Transfer from San Jose to Arenal. Stay in Arenal with views of the volcano for three nights. Enjoy a private guided tour of the Arenal Volcano National Park. The trip will take you first for a walk through the rainforest admiring the diverse flora and fauna of the area and lasts about two hours. Here you can go on an Arenal Hanging Bridges Early Birds Tour, a perfect tour for birdwatchers. An early morning tour takes advantage of the cooler mornings when birds are most active. You'll be collected from your hotel and transferred to the Arenal Hanging Bridges, a series of eight standing and six hanging bridges in the lush rainforest canopy of the vast private reserve. The tour starts around 5.30am with a group naturalist guide taking you along seven of the bridges and regular trails before taking an alternative birding trail as well as exploring nearby areas - including the unsuspecting parking area where birds are frequently sighted. Fifty to sixty species are regularly counted during the tour and you should expect it to last around three to four hours in total, including time to go over the species spotted at the end. You’ll walk around 3 km (1.9 miles). Highlight Arenal Volcano At 1,633 metres above sea level, the infamous Arenal Volcano was one of the most active volcanoes in Central America. Its activity decreased decreased in 2010 before when it was considered to be one of the world's ten most active volcanoes. This is a popular spot for anyone wanting to visit Costa Rica therefore not as peaceful as it once was, particularly in peak season. Despite it being busy, it is well worth including on any trip to Costa Rica The volcano is no longer delivering its sporadic eruptions although it is a magnificent peak and there is plenty to do in the area. The volcano can be difficult to see, especially from December to March. In fact it is only clear for around 77 days out of 365 as it is often shrouded by cloud but it's an incredible sight if you are lucky enough to see it. The surrounding lava fields are also fascinating. Explore the area by combining a multitude of activities such as canopy walkways, horse riding, canoeing and walking. The nearby hot springs, though busy, make for a special experience as you bathe beneath the stars and the nearby Caño Negro Wildlife Refuge is well worth a day trip. The volcano's growth over the ages has been identified by a number of eruptions: the last major one occurred on 29th July 1968. This eruption blasted off the top of the volcano, killing 78 people and creating the shape that can be seen today. The explosion created three craters from which Arenal had continuously erupted until July 2010. The nearest town to the volcano is La Fortuna, 6 km (3.7 miles) to the south,and a good place to find a range of shops and restaurants. Although there is basic accommodation in town, most hotels are located in the quieter surrounding area with views of the volcano. Word of warning: taxis around Arenal are rather expensive. For example, it can easily cost $30 US to get from one of the hotels in the area to the National Park, for example. Day Six Transfer from Arenal to Monteverde Stay in Monteverde for two nights Enjoy a visit to the Monteverde cloud forest. You will be driven to Laguna de Arenal where your awaiting private boat will transfer you south across the lake, a journey of around 30 minutes. This scenic journey affords excellent views of the surrounding countryside as well as views back to the volcano. Look out for some of the local birdlife such as cormorants, egrets, osprey and heron. You will dock in the village of Rio Chiquito where you will board a comfortable van for the journey along an unsurfaced road to your hotel in Monteverde cloud forest. The total length of the trip is approximately three to four hours. Explore the Curi Cancha wildlife refuge with your private specialist guide. Explore different types of forest, taking short walks along trails to see some incredible ficus trees which you can get inside between the emerging roots. You may spot a variety of wildlife including sloths, toucans, monkeys, insects and many others creatures. Highlight Monteverde Cloud Forest The central highlands encompass northern Costa Rica's most fertile regions. Waterfalls, mountains and forests are found amongst undulating hills. Near perfect weather conditions allow Costa Rica's famous coffee to grow plentifully. The Monteverde locale is world famous for its cloud forest. Although generally associated solely with the reserve that carries its name, Monteverde actually covers a much larger area, stretching from the Arenal Volcano in the east, down to the low hills of Guanacaste in the west. Monteverde sits astride the continental divide at an altitude slightly above 1,600 metres, protecting and providing habitat for hundreds of species of plants and animals. The road to Monteverde from the international highway can be somewhat bumpy, dusty and warm. As you ascend into the mountains on a clear day however it is beautiful and you can see a variety of birds along the way as the habitats change. There are now two reserves; the original Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve and the newer Santa Elena Rainforest Reserve. In these forests, you can experience the cloud forest climate and hike the trails amongst the varieties of plants and magnificent moss-laden trees. The resplendent quetzals, with their long tails, feed at various locations and at times you can hear the ‘bong’ of the bellbirds. The foliage in both reserves is lush and abundant, with hundreds of species of birds, insects, butterflies and plants. The Monteverde Reserve is the last sizeable pocket of primary cloud forest in Central America. The reserve supports six different ecosystems containing an estimated 2,500 species of plants, more than 100 species of mammals, 490 species of butterflies and over 400 species of birds. The whole area is a great location for walking; especially through the magical shrouds of mist that drape the forests in the early morning. There are also frog gardens, butterfly houses and canopy walkways. Adrenaline junkies can fly through the forest by a system of zip wires. Although undeniably beautiful, this region has become something of a tourist playground and now lacks the peace for which it was once renowned. Reaching Monteverde involves a journey along a dirt road that takes you up into the cloud forest. That is a crucial thing to remember as it has an impact on the services in this region too. All supplies and building materials have to come up that road which, during rainy periods can be very tricky. This does mean that hotels in the cloud forest not only have to cope with almost constant damp but a limited access to supplies with which to repair and maintain their properties. Don’t be put off, just be aware. As with the vast majority of Costa Rica, this region is about the wildlife and scenery, not the hotels which merely provide somewhere to sleep for the night. Day Eight Transfer from Monteverde to Manuel Antonio Stay in Manuel Antonio for three nights The journey from Monteverde begins with a dramatic descent from the cool cloud forest highlands towards the warmer Pacific coast. The initial road is a little bumpy but the stunning views across to the Pacific coast and the Nicoya Peninsula make up for this. After approximately one hour you pick up the Pan-American Highway, where you head towards Quepos, Manuel Antonio. The drive will take approximately four to four and a half hours. En route you will pass over the Rio Tárcoles, providing an opportunity to see crocodiles swimming in the river. Highlight Manuel Antonio Costa Rica's central Pacific coast is scattered with a diverse range of beaches and protected areas of natural beauty. This area brings a fantastic opportunity to experience nature, adventure and relaxation within easy reach of San José. Just a four-hour drive or a short flight from the capital, the national park of Manuel Antonio is a very important green zone, providing sanctuary for an incredible variety of wildlife. Hundreds of butterflies, hummingbirds, brightly beaked toucans and clambering monkeys are just some of the tropical life found here. Manuel Antonio, with over 6 km (4 miles) of protected forest and 547 km (340 miles) of marine reserve is the smallest of the 20 national parks Costa Rica has put aside for total protection. It is a charming combination of rainforest, beaches and coral reefs and is the country's most visited conservation area. There are some undoubtedly fantastic beaches in the vicinity however it can be busy and is fairly built-up, so not to everyone's taste. The hotels are mainly located on the stretch of road along the coast running between Quepos and Manuel Antonio, meaning they are fairly isolated. Many of them offer a shuttle bus service for those who want to visit the main beach and park during the day. To venture out at night for alternative dinner plans, you will need to arrange a taxi. Day Eleven Transfer from Manuel Antonio to San Jose Stay in Panama City for two nights Highlight Panama City Panama City was founded in 1519 by Pedradiras Davila and it quickly became an important geographic location for colonial trade. It is estimated that during the 16th and 17th centuries, 60% of all American silver went through the city which also operated as a connection point for inter-American trade. Products from countries such as Nicaragua, Ecuador, Costa Rica, Peru and Mexico arrived at Panama City to be reshipped to other locations on the continent. Panama’s position as one of the most important centres for expeditions and its important strategic location for trading, set forth the Isthmus’ destiny as today's international transit service. Panama Viejo (Old Panama) started out as a handful of simple huts however soon wood based construction became widespread. Stone was already used at the end of the 16th century but only for government buildings, churches and the best houses. Panama Viejo was also the host of a Royal Court, a Royal tribunal and as such, a major government office. The elite landowners and traders lived in the city and its population may have reached 10,000; this is a considerable amount for the period. Its commercial importance brought with it the unwanted attentions of pirates. In 1671, Panama was attacked by Welsh pirate Henry Morgan and the city was left in ruins. Two years later, it was moved to what is now known as Casco Viejo leaving the city's old site abandoned for over two centuries. This part of Panama City is now being restored back to its former glory. Today, modern Panama City is a metropolis in which tall, modern buildings, department stores, large mansions, hotels and casinos are cropping up everywhere. It is by far the most modern city in Central America. This is helped by the fact it lies outside any earthquake and hurricane zones By night, Panama City really comes to life with numerous theatres, restaurants, bars and clubs. The city's Amador Causeway sits on the edge of the city overlooking the south entrance to the canal and in the evening fills with locals and visitors gathering for drinks or dinner at sunset. Day Thirteen Transfer to Tocumen International Airport for flight to Miami Stay in Miami for four nights The vibrant atmosphere of Miami sets it apart from its East Coast rivals. The pace of life here is high tempo and there’s plenty to see and do in this ever-evolving city. The city has a blaze of Art Deco architecture plus golden-sand beach areas where you can surf, swim and kayak. There are plenty of museums and attractions to explore too. Highlight Miami Whether you're into sport, sunshine or salsa, Miami sizzles all year round with great beaches, exciting entertainment, vibrant nightlife and world-class hotels and restaurants. The key attraction is Miami Beach; a thin strip of land between the Atlantic Ocean and Biscayne Bay. The southern section, South Beach, is well known for its pastel-hued Art Deco buildings, hip nightclubs and smart restaurants. The best restaurants line Ocean Drive. The most opulent villa is the Casa Casuarina; the former home of Gianni Versace. Other parts of the city worth visiting include Little Havana and Little Haiti, both lively Hispanic districts. Day Seventeen Transfer to Miami International Airport for flight to London Heathrow Day Eighteen Arrive London Heathrow This trip to Costa Rica, Panama City and Miami was arranged by us through Audley Travel. For more information on this itinerary or to chat through any of your travel plans, do pop in and see us or get in touch .