South America has long captivated travellers with its plethora of natural and cultural wonders. Take a quick inventory of continental highlights, and it is easy to see why — idyllic beaches, snow-covered mountains and tropical rainforests, all of which make a fine backdrop for a memorable holiday.

There is just one catch: this continent is massive. There is simply no way to see it all (unless you have a couple of spare years up your sleeve). So if you have been thinking of going but do not quite know where to begin, here is a quick primer on South America’s top destinations:

Peru and Bolivia

The Plaza de Armas of the city of Cuzco, Peru at night.

One of the many classic South American routes involves bumping around the Andes, visiting the indigenous villages, colonial towns and ancient ruins found amid those staggering mountain peaks. Peru is a great place to start. High in the Andes, you will find enchanting Cuzco, the oldest continuously inhabited city on the continent and a fine base for exploring archaeological treasures like nearby Machu Picchu. Other Peruvian highlights include trekking in the Cordillera Blanca, walking the cobblestone streets of Arequipa, flying over the mystical Nazca Lines and visiting the floating islands in Lake Titicaca.

Reed Islands, Lake Titicaca

At Titicaca, you can continue by boat across to Bolivia, home to enthralling indigenous villages, biologically rich forests, soaring mountains and the bizarre and beautiful salt flats of Salar de Uyuni.

Ecuador

The Quilotoa loop, heart of The Andes, Ecuador

If time is limited and you hope to pack a lot into your itinerary, smallish Ecuador is a good bet. It has the beautiful colonial towns of Quito and Cuenca that are among the best places to study Spanish in South America (notable for inexpensive one-on-one language schools and homestays with local families). The famed Andean mountains are never far, and you can trek through alpine scenery (the four-day Quilotoa loop is popular), mountain bike along rugged mountain roads, bird-watch in cloud forests or arrange horseback rides on the flanks of snow-covered volcanoes (try Cotopaxi National Park). You can also spend a few days in a rainforest lodge in the Amazon. If time and budget allow, tack on a five-day tour of island-hopping in the Galapagos at the end.

Brazil

Pretty Paraty, Brazil

Larger than the continental US, Brazil is the geographic (and economic) giant of South America. It is also Latin America’s priciest country, so plan accordingly. Planted among forest-covered mountains, Rio de Janeiro is a magnificent introduction to Brazil, with a great music scene, alluring beaches and heady festivals. A few hours away, you can explore remote coastline, rainforest-covered islands (such as Ilha Grande) and colonial towns like jewel-box Paraty. With more time, you can add a few internal flights and visit other regions, starting in the northeast in Salvador, a colourful colonial city that is the drumming heart of Afro-Brazilian culture. Other options: thundering Iguazu Falls on the Argentine border; Belem or Manaus, gateways to the Amazon; and architecturally intriguing Brasilia.

Colombia

Parque Nacional Tayrona

If you have not heard by now, Colombia is open for travel and safer than it has been in decades. Bogota, the high mountain capital, is a cultural behemoth with salsa-filled nightclubs, charming cafes and intriguing nearby sights — including a surreal underground salt cathedral, 50km north of the city. For other Colombian hits, try sunning on the Caribbean coast at Taganga or the pristine beaches of nearby Parque Nacional Tayrona; trekking to the Ciudad Perdida (“Lost City”), the largest pre-Colombian town in the Americas; or exploring the photogenic streets of colonial Cartagena and its neighbouring coral-fringed islands.

Argentina and Chile

Patagonia’s beautiful untamed landscape

Anchoring Latin America’s southern extremes, these two countries have vineyards, lively capitals and share the laid-back Lakes District, home to hot springs, picturesque villages and outdoor activities such as hiking, rafting, climbing and skiing. You will find unrivalled adventure in Patagonia: trekking and horse riding against a backdrop of glaciers, petrified forests, snow-covered peaks and other stunning scenery.

Regis St Louis

9 Nov 2011

http://www.bbc.com/travel/feature/20111107-a-beginners-guide-to-south-america

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This article is written by Shifra Menezes , a student and a travel writer based in Mumbai

Here’s a look at the top 25 destinations around the world that includes cultural capitals, architectural havens, beach paradises and some unconventional picks as well.

1. Cape Town, South Africa

The mere mention of most destinations in Africa immediately conjures up images of lion safaris and yellow wilderness as far as the eye can see. While these are enough to keep the intrepid traveller quite happy and offer the experience of a lifetime, there is more to Africa than just that and Cape Town is where it’s all at.

From cultural and historical attractions to wildlife and adventure sports, Cape Town has something for everyone.

A handful of the popular tourist attractions in Cape Town:

The Victoria & Alfred Waterfront a popular haunt for dining and shopping, offering up a wide variety of cuisine and wares.
The Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden with its tranquil surrounds and exotic plants, is the ideal picnic spot for nature-lovers and trekkers alike.
The beaches in and around Cape Town are famous for their soft white sand and crystal-clear waters. Some of the popular ones are Blouberg, Dolphin Beach and Boulder.
If you’re an animal lover with a penchant for big cats, drop in at the Drakenstein Lion Park, dedicated to rehabilitating the beautiful animals in their natural surrounds.
For history buffs, a boat ride to Robben Island, where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned for 18 years, is a must-visit.

2. Sydney, Australia

Often mistaken as the capital city, Sydney is the country’s largest city and arguably its cultural capital.

The unmistakable waterfront of the Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge is just one of the many tourist attractions in the city.

Your visit to the harbour city should include:

Bondi Beach, one of the most famous in the world for its massive swells (for the surfers out there), is a great place to start. If you’re looking for a lazy day at the beach however, there are plenty to choose from such as Coogee, Manly and Balmoral among many, many others.
Nature enthusiasts won’t be disappointed with a visit to Taronga Zoo, Oceanworld and the Royal Botanical Gardens.
For those more culturally inclined, there’s the Sydney Festival (free indoor and outdoor performances), the Big Day Out (a travelling rock festival) and a number of film festivals.
Check out breathtaking views from the AMP Tower observatory, the highest structure in Sydney, and the Powerhouse Museum of science, technology and design.

3. Machu Picchu, Peru

Tucked away in the Amazon forests, perched atop an Andean plateau, this ancient city is an architectural marvel. Often referred to as the ‘Lost city of the Incas’, it has been recognised as a World Heritage Site and one of the New 7 Wonders of the World.

Built around 1450, at the height of the Inca empire, the entire city has been constructed using polished dry stone and has survived the centuries remarkably well.

One of the three primary constructions within the city is the Intihuatana, a pillar built using stones that point to the sun. At noon on March 21 and September 21, the sun is almost directly above the pillar, and casts no shadow. It is believed that the Incas used this as a clock or calendar based on the sun’s path.

So for the traveller who enjoys a little history lesson along the way, Machu Picchu does just that.

4. Paris, France

Nothing says romance quite like Paris. But there is a lot more to this beautiful city than just the Eiffel Tower and romantic walks along the Siene.

The French capital offers a host of attractions including The Louvre, which is home to some of the world’s most valuable paintings and sculptures.

Food lovers can relish the French cuisine in the many bistros and cafes that dot the streets and culture vultures can take in the rich history and architecture on offer.

Some popular tourist spots include:

The Notre Dame cathedral, the Napoleonic Arc de Triomphe, Champs Elysees and the Pantheon church (the final resting place of Voltaire, Victor Hugo and Marie Curie) are some of the most recognised landmarks, as is the Eiffel Tower.
The Montmartre and Montparnasse areas, known for their artistic history is worth a visit for music halls and cafes.
Known as the world’s fashion capital, drop in at the Avenue Montaigne and Faubourg Saint-Honore for a peek of the highest of high fashion. And if splashing out on designer labels isn’t your thing, don’t fret. Paris has a lot more shopping than just designer labels. Les Halles and the Champs Elysees have plenty to choose from.
The picturesque Tuileries and Luxembourg Gardens are lovely for a stroll of picnic. A great way to unwind after a busy day of sightseeing.

5. Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Movies and music have had a long-standing love affair with this beautiful city, and deservedly so. The spirit of Rio makes it a must-visit.

Another draw is the fact that the resort city will play host to the 2014 FIFA World Cup final and the 2016 Olympic Games and you can bet it’ll be an explosion of colour and dance two elements that simply capture what the city is all about.

So when you fly down, make sure your travel itinerary includes:

The Copacabana and Ipanema beaches have been immortalised in song and well deserve a drop-by thanks to their many dining spots, pubs and discos.
The Corcovado mountains with the statue of Christ the Redeemer are a major tourist draw being one of the New 7 Wonders of the World, and atop the peak, offer breath-taking views of the Brazilian landscape.
The annual Carnival (during February and March) is an experience like no other. Massive parades along the streets with opulent floats and tens of thousands of revellers simply have to be seen to be believed.

6. New York City, USA

The city has been written about and sung about, movies have been shot around its iconic landmarks and its unmistakable skyline and yet it loses nothing in terms of sheer fascination for the millions of visitors and tourists who throng its streets every year.

So if you too plan to drop by the Big Apple, make sure to visit:

Manhattan for its fantastic skyline and a glimpse of the Empire State Building, Rockerfeller Centre and Times Square.
Ellis Island for the Statue of Liberty, and while you’re at it the Staten Island Ferry.
Madison and Fifth avenue for the shopping.
The Metropolitan Museum of Art and Broadway for some cultural stimulation

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