A Weekend in Paraty: Brazil’s paradise beach town

150 miles south of Rio de Janeiro in Brazil, you’ll find a sleepy little town called Paraty, where the mountains meet the sea. With its whitewashed buildings, cobblestone streets and tropical beaches, it’s impossible not to fall in love with this time-warped paradise along the Brazilian coast. There’s also…

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Hiking Machu Picchu Mountain

If you’re headed to Peru, but don’t have time to hike the iconic Inca Trail, Machu Picchu Mountain is a breathtaking alternative trek that can be completed as part of a day visit to Machu Picchu. From its towering peak, high above the ancient citadel, this unforgettable hike promises…

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2 days in Rio de Janeiro: The best places to visit

Rio de Janeiro has fascinated me for as long as I can remember. In fact, it was my long-term obsession with this vibrant city in Brazil that inspired my month-long backpacking adventure around South America (what can I say, I don’t like to do things by halves!) Rio de…

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The best things to do in Peru’s Sacred Valley of the Incas

When it comes to Peru’s archaeological wonders, Machu Picchu has a tendency to hog the limelight. And fair play – she’s a beauty. But Machu Picchu is just one must-see attraction within Peru’s spectacular Sacred Valley; a magical pick ‘n’ mix of ancient Incan ruins and traditional Andean villages,…

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How to spend the perfect day in La Paz, Bolivia

La Paz is a city of extremes. From the dizzying altitude (at 13,000 feet above sea level, La Paz is the highest city in the world) to the screeching traffic and pop-up street protests, I’ve never experienced anywhere quite like Bolivia’s de facto capital. This is a place where…

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Salta to Cafayate: The ultimate road-trip in Northwest Argentina

When you think of Argentina, the first thoughts that probably come to mind are tango-dancing in Buenos Aires, the wild landscapes of Patagonia, or sipping Malbec in the world-famous Mendoza wine region. Yet nestled in the mountainous north-west is one of the most over-looked and beautiful regions in the…

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The Ultimate Travel Guide to Cusco, Peru

Oh, Peru. Nine months on and my heart still aches for you. Everything about this beautiful country had me smitten – from the dramatic mountain scenery and ancient history, to the colourful cities and warm-hearted people. The city of Cusco seems to perfectly embody all of these things, making…

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How to plan a day visit to Machu Picchu

There’s always a risk that the world’s most iconic destinations won’t quite live up to the hype. But I can assure you that Machu Picchu is every bit as spine-tingly as you might imagine. The sheer size of Peru’s ancient Incan citadel is enough to knock the breath right…

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