Argentina, Chile & Brazil

Beware! It’s hard to avoid a tango encounter in Argentina — but if sultry dances are not for you, don’t worry. From the buzz of Buenos Aires to the silence of the icy fiords, from the towering granite peaks of the Andes to the wide open pampas, from arid deserts to jungle and thundering waterfalls, Argentina’s got it covered.

Santiago is our gateway into South America: from here you can see the Andes, reach the Pacific at brightly-painted Valparaiso, feel the Latin American vibe of lovers, coffee and demonstrations, and see how Spanish culture has melded with Indian civilisation. Thin and very long, Chile encompasses the world’s driest desert, glaciers, geysers and volcanoes.

Though you could come to Brazil to bask on a tropical white sand beach, why would you? This is a high-energy place, whether it’s the music and colour of Carnival in Rio, white-water rafting, or a samba in Salvador. The coffee is strong and good, the people are vivacious and to get the best out of Brazil you should throw yourself into it – but please, not at Iguaçu Falls!