Well Connected Travel

A territory that defies a single definition. It has the power to amaze or exasperate, but it is never less than fascinating.

From the sub-tropical jungles and steamy falls of Iguazu to the frozen Antarctic waste of Tierra del Fuego, that one territory can contain so much diversity defies belief. This diversity is reflected in the enigmatic but colourful Argentine people. They define the fiery Latin American temperament - fiercely patriotic as they are history tells of more than one occasion when hell-bent self-destruction of their country was imminent. And this split personality seems to run through every aspect of their lives - the romance of Evita sits alongside the swaggering machismo of the gaucho cowboys, and the daily siesta is still adhered to while life around it moves at a blinding pace.

However, strange as it may seem at first, after a few days it all seems to make sense. Why sleep at night when you can sleep during the day and party all night? It's not all tango either, visit Buenos Aires and you'll find a city capable of rivalling any other in the world for the range and variety of entertainment on offer.

But to come here just to sample city life, no matter how unique a city Buenos Aires is don't miss out on the rest of the country. In its northern reaches and the far-south Argentina has two of the world's greatest natural wonders - the Iguazu falls, larger than Niagara, and the Moreno Glacier, one of the world's few growing ice-fields. In between there is a veritable wealth of history mingled with nature. The colonial towns of early Spanish rule remain relatively untouched, while in the shadow of the Andes, high on the puna, you can find a way of life that pre-dates even these centuries-old invaders.

Argentina has its problems but, while it's wrong to dismiss them, few people let it affect their outlook on life. It all goes towards understanding the country's immeasurable romanticism, where a street kid from Buenos Aires can become the world's greatest footballer, and throw it all away again, and an actress can capture the heart of a nation. Come and fall in love for yourself.

Perched on the edge of the Andes, Bolivia is one of the remotest countries in South America and, partly because of this, offers visitors one of the most interesting experiences on the continent both culturally and scenically.

Bolivia is not "on the map" in the same way as some of its neighbours such as Peru or Brazil, but this is certainly not due to a lack of things to see or do. Admittedly Bolivia doesn't have an equivalent to Machu Picchu but it does have some of the most beautiful and wildest mountain scenery in the world as well as fantastic areas of wetlands and rainforest in the Amazon Basin.

Bolivia rivals any of its neighbours when it comes to lakes too. The most famous geographical site in the country is Lake Titicaca, which sits on the border with Peru. High up in the mountains, the lake was revered as the home of the Gods by the Incas and you can see why. Though less well known, many visitors are even more impressed by the stunning salt lakes of Salar de Uyuni which really have to be seen to be believed. The area consists of multicoloured lagoons, some of them thronged with flamingos, making for a rare and beautiful spectacle.

In addition to its superb natural scenery, Bolivia is fascinating to travellers for its indigenous culture. Due to the substantial population of Quechua and Aymara Indians (or campesinos), traditions are very much alive here and you'll see evidence of this in people's dress and the Amerindian languages spoken in many areas as well as the fantastic array of colourful handwoven textiles that adorn every town and village market.

Bolivia is still far enough off the beaten track to be a real adventure - make sure you get there before everyone else hears about it.

One of the most colourful and vibrant countries on earth, Brazil could certainly never be accused of being a wallflower. It contains not only some of the most diverse flora and fauna, the largest rainforest and the longest river on Earth, but also the world's biggest, most exuberant carnival.

Topping most people's lists of places to see is likely to be the Amazon region, a vast swathe of tropical rainforest, which can be explored by boat along the Amazon River. Although famously diminishing in size due to deforestation, the jungle is still a remarkable area, home to a seemingly infinite array of creatures and plants. One of the most impressive sights is the Foz do Igiazu, or Iguazu Falls, whose waters gush at a staggering rate over a precipice into the Iguazu River.

Although the official capital is the modern city of Brasilia, far more people visit the lively city of where the beaches and general revelry are a major draw for party-loving travellers. Most famous for its wild carvival, held usually in February, the city is fun at any time of year and shouldn't be missed.

Brazil also has some charming colonial towns that are well worth visiting. Olinda and Salvador are two of the most attractive, their cobbled streets drenched in olde-worlde atmosphere, both home to their own riotous carnivals and some delicious local cuisine. And if you tire of sightseeing, there are plenty of idyllic beaches along the 7,000km of coastline.

This was one of the first homes of civilisation on the continent and the ancient sites of the country are the most enigmatic in the Americas. Although the Chibchas were the dominant tribe, they were only one of several discrete people in the region, of which the most interesting were the feline worshippers of San Agustin, a remarkably sophisticated society. Other sites such as Ciudad Perdida - the lost city of the Tayrona people - only discovered in 1975 are considered as significant as Machu Picchu from an archaeological point of view.

The country's post-Colombian history is just as fascinating, with some of the earliest colonial cities on the continent being located here. Cartagena, established in the 1530s is a must-see, a fabulous example of a fortified early colonial settlement, and nowadays the port of call for many cruise ships. The fabulous beaches of the coast, near to Santa Marta, or the Caribbean islands of San Andrés and Providencia make this the most popular region for international visitors.

But the country's other cities are also worthwhile. Up in the Andean mountains, capital Bogota combines Spanish influence with modernity and the South American traditions, while Medellín is no longer the drugs city of the 1980s and is now famed as the home of artist Fernando Botero and some beautiful architecture.

Along the Magdalena river, which divides the two fingers of the Andes, you'll find a marvellous diversity of landscape, from jungle to desert. In the volcanic geography you'll also find some spectacular scenery, including the awe-inspiring Nevado Ruiz volcano, responsible for the deaths of 25,000 people in the world's worst post-war eruption.

To the south and east Colombia also possesses some of the densest rainforest on the planet. It is a hard area to visit, with plenty of it remaining off-limits to tourists, but the places you can see provide a fascinating glimpse of an untouched world.

Unfortunately for Colombia its reputation precedes it in most people's minds, and the reputation is not good. Through the 1980s the country was a no go area, controlled by drugs cartels and riddled with corruption. Since then the country's fortunes have fluctuated, and although the drugs barons are no more (since the demise of the most famous of them all Pablo Escobar) there are still some areas of the country notorious for their less than savoury reputation. However, for the careful traveller, who stays well informed, it is still possible to visit this country with safety, and to do so is to experience one of South America's most distinctive cultures.

Tiny Costa Rica sits squarely between the two American continents, and in its character can be found the best elements of both. The fiery and colourful Latin American culture is tempered with the sophistication of US standards of service and hospitality and there's a healthy dose of Caribbean attitude that brings the laid back easy nature of the islands to the mainland.

It's not difficult to see what draws visitors here. Take your pick from the pristine beaches (either Pacific or Caribbean), misty mountain cloud forests, wildlife rich river deltas or the spectacular volcanoes that are sprinkled across the country. And year round the tropical climate means that this is one holiday the weather has little chance of spoiling.

Visit in the wet season from May through November and you're treated to a natural spectacle as the forests of the river deltas and the slopes of the misty mountains become thick jungle, thrumming with thousands of species of animal, bird and insect life, including big cats, crocodiles and lizards. The coastal waters are home to manatees and turtles, which you can see nesting on the protected beaches. Literally the whole country becomes a nature lover's delight. In the dry season, the beaches are the place to head as they bake under the hot sun and the pace of life slows down.

Climb the volcanoes of smouldering Arenal with its constant sulphurous plume of smoke, or quieter Irazu from where you can see both Atlantic and Pacific Oceans from the summit. Surrounded by thick forest at their base their sparse black slopes are a reminder that you're in the Pacific "Ring of Fire" where nature rules unchecked by Man.

There aren't the historic relics that you find elsewhere in Central and Latin America, but the Diquis Spheres, housed in the National Museum, are a reminder that there were sophisticated cultures here as enigmatic than their more famous neighbours of the Aztecs or the Incas. The colonial influence was never as strong here either, and the culture is refreshingly egalitarian, as the country moulded the few settlers who struggled to make a living here, rather than the other way round.

In the beating heart of Latin America there are few places better to sample the unique culture of this part of the world.

An amazing country, often overlooked in the shadow of its larger South American neighbours. But in its small size it manages to pack in all the diversity of the other more famous nations, and in the Galapagos it can offer even more besides.

This island group is undoubtedly the country's crowning glory. Practically untouched by humans until recent times it is as close as you can come anywhere on Earth to the idyllic world of pre-history. Inevitably this has drawn comparisons to the Christian Garden of Eden, ironic then that it was the research ground for Darwin's religion shattering "Origin of Species" - the book that proposed his theory of evolution. Doubly ironic when you consider that the islands were first "discovered" by a bishop blown off course.

The islands today are a protected habitat, where visitors are strictly controlled. The population of tortoises, sea lions, iguanas and rare bird life remains relatively undisturbed by Man, and seeing these creatures in their natural habitat is an incredible and unique experience.

Although if you don't visit the Galapagos you will undoubtedly miss out on the best that Ecuador has to offer, that isn't to say that the country doesn't have more besides. The capital Quito mixes its Spanish roots with the trappings of a modern city, while Cuenca seems relatively untouched since colonial days. The country also contains some of the world's most spectacular volcanic scenery, including the massive cone of Cotopaxi - the world's highest active volcano.

Elsewhere you can discover ruins of the enigmatic Incan settlements, deserted Pacific beaches and the endless variety represented by the rainforest. A land of wonders indeed.

It is no surprise that guidebooks seem unable to make up their minds whether Mexico belongs to North or Central America. While geographically it is generally considered part of North America, the country in fact straddles the two regions, and in terms of culture, Mexico is a colourful mishmash of US progress, Spanish colonialism and Latin American style.

Deserts, two oceans, one of the largest cities in the world and the remnants of some of the most impressive ancient civilisations on earth are all crammed into this fascinating, enigmatic country. The Spanish influence can be seen in the small towns and villa buildings of the rural areas and the prevalence of Catholicism throughout the nation, while if you head for the mountains you'll find native Mexicans, living descendants of the Mayas and the Aztecs, still following their traditional lifestyles. Make your way to one of the ancient sites of Chichen Itza or Teotihuacan and you'll see the remnants of these people's ancestors, amazing stepped pyramids and whole cities, lying in ruins overhung with creepers and the foliage of the tropical forest.

It's this sense of exploration, of getting off the beaten track and into the semi-wild that really appeals to people visiting Mexico, yet at the same time Mexico can boast the most modern of tourist resorts. You're never too far away from top class hotels, and especially on the Caribbean coast around Cancun and surroundings you'll find pristine beaches and all the facilities you'd expect from a top coastal resort anywhere in the world.

With most of the country lying in the tropics the weather as you might expect is as hot as a habanero and you'll realise that the wide-brimmed sombrero hat isn't just a symbol of the country; it's eminently practical when the midday sun is high overhead. Slightly less practical you may feel is the spicy local cuisine, all of which contains chilli in high quantities. Washing it down with the local brew is no better either - tequila and mezcal are both strong tasting potent spirits now exported all over the world.

You might already think you know Mexico, from the food, the tequila and endless cowboy movies - but it's time to think again. From the Tijuanan Tex-Mex border to the Cancun coastline there is always something new, or ancient, to discover.

Considering the explosion in popularity that South America has enjoyed over the last few years, Paraguay is still largely off the beaten track. It's a country that few people know something about, and is regarded as mainly a place that travellers pass through on their way to the Incas to the north, or the Gauchos to the south. For adventurous travellers, this is by no means a bad thing. The country's very lack of development and exploitation means that Paraguay provides a rare glimpse of what the rest of South America was like before the Gringo Trail was firmly trod.

Diminutive in size compared to its neighbours, the country combines vast swathes of untamed wilderness in the western Chaco region with some superb colonial architecture in the towns and cities of the southeastern Paraneña. These are interspersed with tracts of rainforest and cut through by rivers, creating a diverse and continually fascinating land to discover.

One of the highlights of visiting Paraguay for many is the interaction with its people, a large number of them members of the Guaraní indigenous tribe, who have inhabited this part of the world for centuries. Both the Guaraní and the mestizos - those of mixed origin - have preserved elements of their traditional way of life combined with Spanish and even German influences (and, increasingly, those of the US) to create a unique and vibrant society.

If planning to visit Paraguay predominantly for its lack of tourism, be sure to be quick. As the likes of Peru, Bolivia and Ecuador become increasingly crowded, those in the know will start to look for the next new "undiscovered" destination, and Paraguay might be at the top of their list.

It is often a surprise to visitors to find out just how small Uruguay is. But deservedly its reputation has always punched far above its diminutive stature. Although a fraction of the size of its neighbours, Uruguay attracts more visitors per capita than anywhere else in South America.

Perhaps it's the political pedigree of the country, with its enlightened history of being the continent's first welfare state and the first to grant equality. Or it's footballing talents - Uruguay hosted and won the first ever World Cup.

Uruguay doesn't have the Amazon rainforest, nor the Andes but instead offers a rich cultural heritage. Throwing off the yoke of Spanish rule as recently as 1825, Uruguay still displays much of its erstwhile colonisers' style, evident in the architecture of old Montevideo. The country is also the heart of that most South American of characters - the Gaucho. With much of the country's interior given over to ranching; the swaggering macho cowboys of the plains make their presence felt.

The 500km of coastline, split between river and ocean, boasts stretches of beaches with shimmering white sand. The most famous resort is at Punta del Este, where the open mouth of the River Plate delta meets the Atlantic coast, but this is just one among several on the Uruguay Riviera. The Atlantic coast towards the Brazilian border offers a unique terrain to explore. The sheltered waters of the lagoons here are a haven for plethora of wildlife.

The capital itself is worthy of exploration. A staunchly proud South American city that is being brought into the 21st century, and by blending the ultra-modern and the merely modern with the antique, as seen in the colonial relics of the old town, Montevideo has a more relaxed and slower pace of life compared to other South American capitals.

Visitors are in awe at the fantastic natural scenery, amazing both in its diversity and the unique nature of its facets. From the infamous Angel Falls - the highest in the world - to the wetlands of the Orinoco Delta; the sandy beaches of the Caribbean coast to the peaks of the Andes, the northernmost country of South America pretty much has it all. Many regions are home to abundant flora and fauna too, most notably the wildlife on the plains of Los Llanos and the flamingos and other birds in Morrocoy National Park.

Culturally, the country is equally diverse. Buzzing, modern Caracas provides a fascinating contrast with small-town Venezuela, where local culture hasn't been swamped by North American trends. This is where a more "authentic" Venezuela is likely to open up to more adventurous travellers, the comparatively traditional way of life conducted at a far more leisurely pace than in the capital. That said, things are changing rapidly even in rural communities and sadly many areas are losing their identity in the march towards modernisation and Westernisation.

Perhaps one of the most rewarding aspects of travelling in Venezuela is getting to know Venezuelans. The gregarious nature of the people is infectious and after a night of dancing merengue in a local bar you can't fail to be infused with Latin spirit.

Walk in the footsteps of trail blazers like Shackleton and Scott and discover the magic of Antarctica, the White Continent. The landscapes are dazzling! Against the pristine backdrop of glassy seas, glaciers and stately icebergs, you will be sharing your experiences with a remarkable array of wildlife: birds in great numbers including penguins, albatrosses, petrels, gulls and terns; seals of all descriptions and as many as ten different species of whale.