South America

Argentina’s natural appeal is undeniable and astoundingly varied, with rolling mountains giving way to deserts, from the thundering Iguazu Falls to Antarctic Patagonian landscapes. Grasslands feed the cattle that supplies the country’s legendary meat industry, while football, tango and artistic richness steer life in the cities. Argentina is considered by many to be a mix of European and South American cultures, which is nowhere more apparent than in the cosmopolitan capital of Buenos Aires, both in its aesthetics and its spirit, where porteños sit at outdoor cafes under the shade of tree-lined boulevards sipping on strong coffee and people watching.

With 209.3 million inhabitants and an area of 8.516.00 km2 that stretches from the Amazon Basin in the north to the Iguaçu Falls in the south, Brazil is a country of superlatives. Its landscape and ecosystem are marked by a richness that is second to no other. This is one of the only countries where tropical islands and white sandy beaches neighbour on rainforest and red-rock canyons. Its incredible diversity makes Brazil the home of the largest collection of plant and animal species on the planet. Explore the lush green rainforest of the Amazon, climb the Pico da Neblina, Brazil’s highest mountain, or soak up the vibrant atmosphere of one of this country’s rhythm-filled metropolises.

Between the vertiginous peaks of the Andes and the vast waters of the Pacific is the Republic of Chile. Made up of 16 different regions that form a 4,270-km long strip of land from North to South, Chile is simultaneously home to the world’s driest desert and an icy landscape of glaciers and alpine tundra. Take a trip to Santiago, the capital that masterfully fuses tradition with modernity in its culture, its architecture and the overall flavour of its character. Outside of the capital, dramatic mountain ranges rise from the earth majestically. Far out into the ocean lies the island of Rapa Nui, or Easter Island, where Polynesian heritage remains strong, retaining the gravitas and grandeur of the island’s characteristic stone moai statues. Back on the mainland, regions like Araucanía and Biobío are synonymous with lush green wonderlands straddled by lakes, rivers and national parks. If you’re looking for the ‘Jewel of the Pacific’ head to Valparaíso, where colourful and artsy buildings match the bohemian lifestyle of this laidback seafront city. Chile is in equal parts diverse and inviting with so much to offer its lucky visitors.

Colombia is the only country on the South American continent to share its coastline with both the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea. Bordering Panama to the north, Venezuela and Brazil to the east and Ecuador to the south, this country is so rich and varied it almost puts others to shame. Travel across the delicate beauty of Colombia’s Caribbean coast, venture into the tropical Amazon rainforest or dare yourself to reach the vertiginous peaks of the snowy Andes. On the shores of the Caribbean lies Cartagena, Colombia’s undisputed crown jewel. While there, you shouldn’t forget to visit the gorgeous Old Town of Cartagena, categorised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site for good reason. A 13-km-long stone wall dating back to the colonial era surrounds a pretty and charming village-like city centre where flowery balconies hanging over cobbled streets lead their way down to picturesque plazas. The wall reaches up to 20 metres in width in some parts and it harbours some very fetching colonial architecture.

With high-reaching Andean peaks, more than 30 volcanoes, dense tropical rainforests, and sandy Pacific beaches, one of South America’s smallest countries packs perhaps its widest diversity of landscapes and natural wonders. As such, it is also home to astounding biodiversity, boasting thousands of varieties of orchid, as well as more bird species per square mile than anywhere else on the continent – all this without even counting the wonders of the Galapagos Islands. Ecuadorian cities like Quito or Cuenca are also home to some of the most beautiful and best-preserved historic centres in South America, dominated by fabulous colonial buildings in a range of pastels; the palm-fringed beaches on the country’s Pacific coast call out to surfers and beach-bums alike.

Located on the west side of the South American subcontinent is the Republic of Peru. Officially one of the world’s 17 megadiverse countries, Peru’s natural habitats and climates are so varied that, from the Andes mountains to the tropical Amazon rainforest, the country harbours a truly astonishing abundance of biodiversity. On the Pacific coast, the capital city, Lima, is well-known for its colourful colonial architecture and hospitable inhabitants. Venturing inland, the lost city of Machu Picchu greets curious visitors with its iconic Incan stone structures and captivating charm. Not far from this World Heritage Site is another jewel in the Peruvian crown: the City of Cuzco. As the historic capital of the Incan Empire, Cuzco is a town with Spanish colonial influence that, nevertheless, proudly celebrates its Incan heritage. Back on the coast, the beaches of Peru are guaranteed to give satisfactory repose and relaxation to even the most burnt out of travellers. The Peruvian coast stretches out for miles and miles (more than 2,400 km!) so there is absolutely no shortage of seaside destinations where layer upon layer of golden sand meets the gleaming waters of the Pacific.