THE AMERICAS
Making up the majority of the earth’s landmass in the western hemisphere, there’s a lot to go at in terms of travel in this region. From the walruses of Port Stanley, past the sealions of Florida to the seal-eating Polar Bears of Manitoba you can let your imagination run wild over the map and start planning an epic adventure in this land of plenty.
Domestic air travel in the Americas is convenient and relatively cheap so you might want to cover some ground and take in a few stops. Alternatively, vehicle hire is a great way to get about whether you're cruising Route 66 or traversing the rainforest along The Trans Amazonian Highway.
You’ll find exotic islands, jungle retreats, snow-topped mountain cabins, desert ranches with cartoon cactuses, little houses on the prairies, space-age city skyscrapers, colonial relics and ancient lands that time forgot, and you’ll come back time and again for the big horizons, big portions, and big ideas.
ARGENTINA
One of the most culturally rich destinations on the planet, Argentina boasts a diverse, rolling landscape from the thunderous waterfalls and world-class wineries of the north, to the snowy peaks and saw-toothed Perito Moreno Glacier in the south. Explore the best of both worlds and choose an itinerary that gives you a true taste of this vast land. Adventure and relaxation await, where you can enjoy a sunset sip of Malbec in the sprawling vineyards of Mendoza or drink ‘mate’, with the gauchos, on an estancia veranda overlooking yerba plantations.
Road-trip through red-sandstone desert gorges on Ruta 40. Experience the scent of fragrant orange blossom drifting across the Jesuit ruins of San Ignacio Mini. Float through the caiman-rich waters of the Iberá wetlands on a kayak tour or attend a traditional asado (barbecue) in the backstreets of Buenos Aires, birthplace of the sensual latin tango danced by couples on the streets of San Telmo. Will you join them?
BELIZE
Perched on the eastern edge of Central America, and with the second largest barrier reef in the world, Belize claims some of the best diving and snorkelling experiences you can find. Inland, hidden amongst lush rainforest, peaceful Mayan ruins and geographical wonders are waiting to be discovered. If you are looking for a chilled Caribbean vibe, with added ancient culture, and none of the tourists, Belize ticks the box.
A great destination for families with children and teens, there are top surf schools and dive centres for gaining new skills in dreamy locations. Tubing in natural river tunnels, spotting colourful toucans, hunting exotic mini beasts and discovering the fascinating history of the Mayan Empire will keep visitors of all ages mentally and physically stimulated. Stay in a beach boutique hotel to experience a kaleidoscope of corals and sea creatures right outside your door, or settle into a jungle cottage and listen for howler monkeys in the forest.
BRAZIL
The sequinned dancers and colourful floats of Carnival seem to embody Brazil’s verve and swagger. A rainbow of cities and blackwater rivers, across a sprawling country thick with the canopy of the Amazon Rainforest and lapped by the rolling waves of the Atlantic Ocean, Brazil beckons exploration, from the thundering falls of Iguaçu to the hilltop district of Santa Theresa.
Unfurl a map and take a journey full of passion and soul. Amazing natural history flourishes in quiet, uninhabited pockets deep in the heart of the Rio Negro. Journey to the top of Ibitipoca, through the Lençóis Maranhenses, before coming to rest amid the sleepy charm of Trancoso. Full of surprises, Brazil gives you undeveloped beaches of the Northeast Coast, bookish colonial towns like Paraty in the south, an opera house on the edge of the rainforest in Manaus and spontaneous bursts of samba drummers in the middle of a busy street.
CANADA
If you're looking for epic road trips, adventure, high peaks and big open skies, Canada, the second-largest country in the world, is waiting for you. With mountains and National Parks that feel torn straight out of the soil of Argentina and the American West and cities of a distinctly European flavour.
Immerse yourself in the heritage of First Nation culture in British Colombia, practice your french in the metropolis of Montreal. Travel from the pretty pine-fringed bounds of Lake Ontario, (don’t miss multicultural cosmopolitan Toronto), to the thundering and dramatic ice of the distant Northwest Passage, this is a vast and historic country.
Perfect for multigenerational family adventures, with the option to watch whales, spot bears, climb, bike, hike, sail and eat really well, from French Quebec to the immense natural wonder of Vancouver, you’re never too far from a stunning wilderness or a vibrant city.
CHILE
A strip of land stretching 2,653 miles along the western side of South America, Chile is home to both the driest desert in the world and to vast, spectacular glacier fields, one side dominated by the Andes Mountains and the other by the dramatic Pacific coastline. This is a country offering some of the most awe-inspiring landscapes in the world, and has something to offer every taste and budget, making it a destination with all the ingredients for a fantastic holiday.
From the cosmopolitan capital Santiago to the scorched Atacama Desert, the crystal clear lakes of Puerto Varas and the dramatic mountains of Patagonia, the highlights are as varied as they are spectacular. While you’re here, take an excursion to visit the mysterious Easter Island heads. Or tour the stunning wine country and sample the produce, take a road trip along the Carretera Austral or hike through the exceptionally beautiful Lake District. Chile is guaranteed to amaze you.
COLUMBIA
Forget everything you think you know about the land of coffee, chocolate and cocaine, and get ready to experience stunning landscapes, lost cities, romantic Caribbean islands, and vibrant festivals. Undiscovered by international tourists for decades, Colombia has only recently begun to gain the recognition it deserves as a fantastic holiday destination. A day spent wandering around the colourful buildings of Cartagena is enough to make anyone fall for the charms of this alluring country.
Explore the richly diverse lushness of Tayrona National Park or enjoy a thrilling jungle hike to Ciudad Perdida. Try your hand at coffee roasting in Salento, taste traditional cuisine in a buzzing Santa Marta restaurant, experience the vibrancy of Colombian life in Medellin and explore astonishing museums in Bogota. And when you're ready for some rest and relaxation, the outstandingly beautiful archipelago and national park of the Rosario Islands is just one of Colombia's many picture-postcard beach destinations to choose from.
COSTA RICA
Costa Rica holidays are about appreciating nature at its most glorious. This pocket sized, picture-perfect country, with two beautiful coastlines separated by a spine of active volcanoes, is home to remarkable primary rainforests, jade-green rivers, remote waterfalls, volcanoes shrouded in cloud-forest and wild beaches. These habitats are, in turn, home to vividly-coloured wildlife and Jurassic-sized flowers.
Explore the magnificent national parks alongside an expert guide and discover the Pacific coastline with a private cruise through Ballena National Maritime Park. For its historic neighbourhoods and weekend markets it’s also worth exploring the buzzing capital city of San José where you can get a guide to show you some of the city’s interesting contemporary art galleries and superb restaurants. Visit between April and December to witness the astounding arribada, where millions of tiny freshly hatched sea turtles make their way to the ocean.
ECUADOR & GALAPAGOS
Ecuador is packed with dazzling wonders that never fail to surprise its visitors. Sitting on the Equator between Colombia and Peru, this small country is home to white-sand beaches, Amazonian rainforest and breathtaking Andes backdrops, making it a destination full of astounding contrasts and a famously unique biodiversity. There's colonial architecture, colourful markets and a fascinating cultural history to be found throughout, with remote Andean villages and the UNESCO World Heritage cities of Quito and Cuenca, all a joy to explore. Nature lovers are spoiled for choice in Ecuador. From marvelling at the Cotopaxi Volcano to the wildlife haven of the Ecuadorian Amazon, whale watching in Isla de la Plata, hiking and birdwatching in one of the country's many National Parks.
From Ecuador travel to the incredible Galapagos Islands, a remote archipelago of 19 islands and dozens of rocky outcrops in the Pacific Ocean, this impeccable, otherworldly destination is famed for unique animal species that continue to roam in absolute freedom. Thanks to its isolation and UNESCO World Heritage Site status, the human footprint on the islands is minimal, meaning the animals in the Galapagos are unfazed by humans, often wandering to within an excitingly close proximity thanks to their own curiosity. The archipelago's landscapes are just as unique, varied and impressive as its wildlife. Volcanic rock formations and lava fields alternate with lush green highlands, and spectacular white-sand beaches leading into sparkling crystal-clear waters. This is genuinely the world's greatest, most beautiful wildlife destination and makes for a holiday truly unlike any other. Covering 45,000 square kilometres of ocean, the best way to enjoy the Galapagos is by boat. Sailing around these islands you will encounter whales, dolphins and a whole host of stunning birdlife and unique creatures.
MEXICO
With the enchanting subterranean blue lagoons of the Yukatan cenotes, Aztec wonders of Chichen Itza and the block-colour marvels of Luis Barragan, Mexico will cast a spell on you. It is a place of beetroot tacos, pre-Hispanic cities and palm-fringed beaches where the land of the living is encircled by colourful after-life folklore and superstition.
If you want to see how the locals really party, visit in February and March for Carnival, but keep your wits about you, there’s an exciting edgy frisson in the warm night air. Sample mojitos like you’ve never tasted before in an authentic mezcaleria, fill up your senses at the spice markets of Roma, and relax on the sands of The Costalegre. Mexico offers unforgettable memories and leaves you wanting more.
PERU
Peru is undoubtedly one of the most visited countries in Latin America, and for good reason. It is not only home to fascinating ancient civilisations, rich traditions, and a melting pot of cultures, but it also boasts exceptional scenery, astounding biodiversity, lively cities, and some of the friendliest people in South America.
This is a country where jaw-dropping historic architecture, such as mountain-top Machu Picchu, meets world-class cuisine, and where deep blue lakes come with a backdrop of the towering Andes. From the awe-inspiring Colca Canyon to Lake Titicaca and the Peruvian Amazon, Peru is a delight for the naturalist too. Experience the unequaled magic of the Sacred Valley, follow ancient footsteps along the Inca Trail, sample ceviche in Lima, get your culture fix in Arequipa or bathe in the hot springs and mud baths around Mancora. This is truly a country brimming with sights, sounds and experiences that will last you a lifetime.
USA
Possibly the world’s most diverse and energetic country, the vastness of America, from the beaches of New England to the parks of California might seem at first a little overwhelming, but somewhere among the densely populated cities and vast expanses of largely uninhabited areas of outstanding natural beauty, you will find your American dream and satisfy your curiosity about our stateside cousins.
The United States is a melting pot of cultures with diverse and complex regional identities but you’ll find a warm and polite welcome wherever you go. Visit Washington, home of American democracy, hail a big yellow taxi in New York, chill out in the California hills with the beautiful people, party Creole style in the deep south, or eat lobster by the truckload in Maine -wherever you go it’ll feel like you’re in a Hollywood movie!
