Buenos Aires is a European city with beautiful sweeping avenues and tall colonial buildings lining its streets. It is also, despite its financial troubles, a highly metropolitan and modern city with great nightlife, world-class cuisine, and fantastic shopping. Visitors can stroll the elegant streets, gorge themselves on Argentina’s famous barbeques or take in one of the city’s excellent museums such as the Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes.

A major draw for tourists to Argentina is the unsurpassed Patagonia region, which is one of the most outstandingly beautiful places on earth. The stunning Parque Nacional Iguazú gives visitors a chance to experience the amazing wildlife and plant species that inhabit the region, as well as boasting the world famous Iguazú Falls. Activities in the park include canoeing, kayaking and other water sports. Patagonia also has some of the best skiing and ice sports in the world during the winter.

For beach life, look no further than Mar del Plato, a consistently popular beach resort destination for both Buenos Aires glitterati and the average family on vacation. Visitors can take their pick of high-end villas or mid-range beach bungalows, depending on whatever suits their style or budget.

Argentina has excellent transport links to the rest of the continent of South America by air and bus. The main airport, Ezeiza Interntional Airport, is located about 45 minutes’ drive outside Buenos Aires.

Rio de Janeiro, with its beautiful setting, is home to the elaborate Rio Carnival, the iconic Copacabana Beach and Ipanema, relaxing parks and gardens, galleries and museums. It can seem that Brazilians exist only to party, dance, drink and play football.

Corcovado Mountain, with Christ the Redeemer statue at its peak, towers over Rio and its famous beaches. Other major draws include Sugar Loaf Mountain and Tijuca National Park, which rests on the Serra da Carioca.

South America’s biggest city – Sao Paulo – is located west of Rio. With its diverse population, congested traffic and unbeatable nightlife, Sao Paulo is energetic, vibrant and exciting. Popular attractions in the city are: Patío do Colégio, dating to the 16th century; Teatro Municipal, a pretty Baroque theatre; and the Museu de Arte de Sao Paulo.

Brasilia, the UNESCO protected Brazilian capital, boasts wide boulevards and high-rises which some consider to be characterless. To escape the stifling afternoon heat, Brasília National Park rests in the northern realms of the city and is a nature reserve with good swimming. The Atlantic facing Salvador da Bahia is a cultural highlight bursting with heritage buildings.

For trips to the Amazn, Manaus is the gateway town and lies close to the Rio Negro. Opera lovers will not want to miss the Renaissance style Teatro Amazonas, an ornate opera house that ranks as one of the city’s most famous landmarks.

Brazil is best reached by air from Europe and the Americas via the main airport, Sao Paulo Guarulhos International Airport. Trains come in from Bolivia. Travel within is by overland bus, plane or boat on the Amazon.

Brazil has quality accommodation ranging from five-star to backpacker as well as rough jungle camping. Prices peak around Carnaval and Holy Week, peak times for coastal cities.

Perhaps the country’s most attractive feature is its beautiful natural environment, which is complemented by abundant adventure and leisure opportunities. Its pretty coastline encompasses nearly 5,000kms of golden bays and beaches while the mighty Andes offer further possibilities for activity and sightseeing. The vast Atacama Desert, the fascinating volcanic regions and the desolate landscapes of Patagonia are other draws.

In the north is Arica, which lies near to Lauca National Park and its archaeological and natural sights including Putre’s geoglyphs. An unmissable heritage site, La Serena is also within reach and one of Chile’s oldest post-Colombian areas.

Chile’s national parks are outstanding. Puyehue National Park in the Lake District is the most visited. Its unusual volcanic landscape and thick forest conceal a diversity collection of wildlife. At Chile’s southernmost tip is the remote region of Patagonia, where Laguna San Rafael National Park offers sightseeing of fjords, icebergs and mountains.

Featuring 150-plus wooden churches, the compact island of Chiloé is home to Chiloé National Park, an extensive woodland area. Easter Island rests 3,700kms west off the mainland and is where hundreds of huge hand-carved statues constructed from volcanic basalt are found. How these artworks were transported from inland quarries to the shoreline remains a mystery.

Leisure and sporting opportunities include climbing, hiking, rafting, diving and mountain biking. But you can also relax in the sun and sample world famous Chilean wines.

Chile is easily accessible by air via Santiago International Airport and by bus from neighbouring countries. It offers every class and style of hotel from pampered luxury in the main cities and ski resorts to home stays and more basic hostels in less populated areas.

Bogotá, the capital, is centrally situated at an elevation of nearly 2,600m and draws the most tourists. The la Candelaria and Zona Rosa districts are where most people stay during their visit as their colonial buildings make for more pleasant surrounds than the CBD’s high rises. The del Oro archaeology museum is a must-visit while old churches such as San Ignacio and Santa Clara and the colourful botanic gardens of José Celestino Mutis are also worthwhile visiting.

The Caribbean facing Cartagena is considered a safe destination. The city is perhaps best known for its Spanish colonial architecture including impressive cathedrals, while its sandy beaches also draw crowds. If you prefer sightseeing to beach lounging, stop off at the palace of Inquisición or tour the old port on foot.

Islas del Rosario sit to the southwest of Cartagena and offer fantastic diving thanks to their colourful coral reefs. About 750kms northwest of the mainland is San Andres, another hub for scuba divers and snorkellers with its natural beauty and coral reefs that harbour a variety of fish.

When in the Choco Department, head northwest to witness thick rainforest and Los Katiós National Park. Or travel northwest of Medellín to the centuries-old Santa Fe de Antioquia, an ancient colonial town with well-preserved architecture. There are many resorts west of here on the Pacific coast of Choco.

Archaeology buffs can visit San Agustín and Tierradentro in the southwest of Colombia with their artworks and ancient treasures and graves. Close by is Popayán, a colonial city with brilliant museums and churches.

Bogota International Airport has many daily connections to Europe and the Americas. Road connections with Venezuela and Ecuador make arrival by bus possible for those on a budget. Accommodation in Colombia spans the spectrum but expect hotels outside the main cities to be quite cheap and basic.

Ecuador also offers a first hand experience of ethnic cultures and several Inca and other Amerindian ruins can be found northwest of Guayaquil and Rumicucho (near Quito, the capital) including Real Alto, San Isidro, Santa Elena. Quito also displays pristine colonial architecture.

The centre of Ecuador is dominated by two mountain chains which form the 325-kilometre long ‘Avenue of Volcanoes’. Joining this ‘avenue’ is a set of lofty plateaus known as the Sierra, which double as the agricultural heart of Ecuador. To the west is the Pacific coastal plain as well as a string of beaches, mangroves, harbours and shrimp farms. Oriente lies east of the Sierra and is a little inhabited area of Amazonian jungle.

The port of Guayaquil rests at the estuary of the Guayas River and has a long-running history of trading. Its many markets attract buyers and sellers from across Ecuador seeking bargains.

The Galapagos Islands lie 1,000kms off the Ecuador mainland and are best known for their indigenous flora and fauna including animals that are unique to the islands. Charles Darwin made observations here that famously assisted him to develop his theories on the origin of species and evolution.

Travel within Ecuador is generally by bus or boat. Quito International Airport and Guayaquil Airport offer entry into Ecuador, which is visa-free for most nationalities. The Galapagos Islands have two airports, but visitors can also visit by boat. Low-cost hostels and home stays can be found throughout Ecuador.

Falklands residents either live Stanley (population 2,000) and ‘in camp’. The rugged terrain encompassed hills, rocks and bogs. Peat is especially abundant and can pose a fire threat. The coast is dotted with charming natural harbours. Mount Usbourne at 700-plus metres is the highest point of the islands.

Most people who visit come for the outstanding scenic beauty, and preserving the natural environment is something the locals take seriously. Marine and bird species include albatross, penguin, seal, petrels, geese, steamer duck, hawks and falcons. Porpoises, dolphins and whales can also be seen.

Blustery winds from the west are common, and the southeastern parts of the islands are the wettest. Low temperatures are the norm, as is snow, which is seen year-round with the exception of January and February. The best time to visit is between November and March. Due to the Antarctic’s ozone hole, wearing sun cream is important year round.

Meals in the Falklands are traditional British: fish and chips or roast beef and mutton taken with lots of tea. Accommodation in Stanley includes bed and breakfasts and some hotels. Farmhouses and lodges are available outside of Stanley.

Only LanChile and the RAF, who transport passengers from Brize Norton, an RAF base in Oxfordshire, to the Falklands. Most people visit the Falklands by cruise ship, visiting several of the islands in one trip. Aside from in Stanley, all landings are done using zodiacs, and in many cases require a quick wade from the zodiac onto shore. Citizens of Britain, Mercosur, North America, Chile, the European community and most Commonwealth countries don’t need a visa to enter.

The country is home to the infamous Devil’s Island, the location of prisons from 1852 until 1951. Tourism, especially eco-tourism, is a growing industry and today’s travellers are among the first to experience the natural coastal, riverine and mountain landscapes. However, the country is prone to various tropical diseases, most of which can be easily prevented with care.

Its tropical weather provides the perfect backdrop for nature tripping, swimming, sailing, shopping, and sightseeing. Its low-lying coastal plains rise to hills and small mountains which are sparsely inhabited. Major cities are Cayenne, the capital; Kourou, host of the space centre and Arianespace launches; Saint-Laurent on the Maroni River that divides French Guyana from between Surinam; and Saint-Georges, situated on the banks for the Oyapock River, which separates the city from Brazil.

The population of French Guiana is 221,500, with nationals mainly living along the coast. The people here are ethnically diverse with Creoles of mixed French and African descent being the largest indigenous group, while a large percent descended from European ancestry. Those with Asian roots include the Hmong (from Laos), Chinese, East Indian, and Vietnamese. Living in the interior are the Maroons, previously called ‘Bush Negroes’, and Amerindians.

Good hotels are easy to find in the capital but can be pricey, with international names like Novotel and Best Western maintaining a presence. Accommodation outside the main cities is much more basic and affordable but amenities are lacking.

Entry for the visitor is easy: EU citizens are allowed unhindered access while many other Western nationals can stay for 90 days without a visa. Cayenne-Rochambeau Airport has connections to France and many South American countries, while buses and ferries link the country to Brazil and Suriname. Inland travel is usually by minibus or along the 3,300kms of waterway by native boat.

Lima, the capital, is an ideal getaway for adventurous travellers: striking architecture, informative museums and welcoming locals. The well-preserved colonial centre of Lima boasts quaint café-lined plazas. The old buildings in the centre provide eye candy while the city’s magnificent churches offer respite from the din outside.

Cuzco has an array of fascinating archaeological wonders and a history as the oldest continuously inhabited settlement on the continent. A walk through the city will reveal stone walls constricted by the Inca, La Merced church and the 16th century cathedral.

Machu Picchu, only rediscovered in modern times, was the Inca’s stronghold and is today Peru’s most famous archaeological site. Overlooking the Urubamba River from its lofty mountain peak setting, this ancient settlement is a must-visit. Machu Picchu can be reached by train or by taking the Inca Trail, a four-day trip.

The Coricancha ruins on the outskirts of Cuzco were once covered in gold. The archaeology museum here is home to outstanding gold and metal work as well as centuries-old jewellery and items of everyday use. The mummies are a highlight. Sacsayhuaman, Puca Pucara, Qenko and Tambo Machay are other ruins in the area and are worth visiting. Taquile Island on Lake Titicaca spans a 24-kilometre stretch from Puno. In the deep south is Arequipa (White City), which enjoys a backdrop of mountains.

Peru has every class of accommodation in abundance, from the cheap and dirty to luxurious international style hotels in the capital. Lima International Airport serves the Americas and Europe. Inland travel is by luxury coach or plane.