Nature is always amazing, but sometimes it pulls a really freakish rabbit out of a hat. One place to witness a strange natural phenomenon is in Honduras during Lluvia de Peces or Rain of Fish.

Virtually every year between the months of May and July, dark storm clouds gather over the small town of Yoro and unleash a tremendous storm with lightning, thunder, strong winds and heavy rain. After the downpour, hundreds of living fish are found on the ground. People take the fish home to cook and eat them. Locals believe the phenomenon is nothing less than an act of god. They trace its origin to a 19th-century Spanish missionary who prayed for a miracle to feed the people. Biologists say it can be explained scientifically, but have yet to provide any conclusive evidence. Either way you look at it, it’s an occasion for a party: the annual Festival de la Lluvia de Peces includes parades, music and lots of fried fish.

Base yourself in bustling San Pedro Sula, with its great entertainment and nightlife; from here it’s a three-hour bus ride to Yoro.

Some individuals in the UK will already have sampled vibrant South American culture in some form, either through the wonderful films of Argentina at the annual London-based Latin American Film Festival or the La Linea music festival, which hosts the music from South American artists from all over the world.

For those who wish to explore and take this experience further and visit the countries highlighted during the London festivals, a family trip to South America could prove to be the trip of a lifetime. There are many cheap airlines that depart from the major UK airports that provide either package holidays or just flights for your family holiday.

One of the countries to visit that should be at the top of anyone’s list is Argentina. A very popular holiday adventure is to go trekking in beautiful and wild Patagonia. Do read the Bruce Chatwin book In Patagonia before you go, as it will give you a sense of the history of this region, and help you understand its surreal landscape. Alternatively, you might like to spend your time in the gracious city of Buenos Aires, sometimes called ‘the Paris of South America.’ This is a very lively city and you will need to retain your spirit of adventure whilst there. Be prepared to sample some of the stunning Argentine wines, and the whole family can enjoy the local herbal drink of Mate. Try the amazing Argentine food and you and your family will be certain to enjoy this beautiful city. When in Buenos Aires you must visit one of the local tango clubs where you can learn the steps and then watch a stunning performance of this dance. The Viruta in Armenia 1366 is one of the best examples of these clubs.

South America is made up of many different cultures with equally diverse traditions, varying types of cities and differing climates. For family holidays try to travel between November and February, remember that you are in the southern hemisphere. You need not worry that your children will be bored if you set out on the Inca trail in Peru, the astonishing spectacle of the ruins of Machu Picchu will enthral the most bored young people and give them plenty of stories to enhance their standing with their peers when they return home. The starting point, the city of Cusco, offers both a Spanish colonial and Indian experience. The trail can be hard work but the tour guides will be able to take your family’s fitness and energy levels into account and devise a trek that will be suitable.

If you are truly adventurous take one of the many cheap flights and visit Bolivia. From treks through the jungle along the River Negra, to an adventure in the Amazon you will be able to see the last vestiges of unspoiled rainforest. You will most probably fly directly to La Paz. In the city, among the many other attractions, try to stop by the Witches’ Market, this bustling place specialises in ingredients for spells, including dried frogs, and aphrodisiac concoctions. The Sunday market in El Alto is a great place to go for more traditional tourist memorabilia.

South America is vast and you will need to decide which destination will suit you and your family best, but with a choice of cities and countries, a beautiful natural environment and ancient archaeological remains of lost cultures, this mystical place will provide the backdrop to an exciting family holiday.

Travelling the world’s longest rivers is an exhilarating way to experience the lifeblood of Brazil, Egypt, China and many other countries.

The Amazon is over 6200km long, containing a fifth of the world’s fresh water. If you count its numerous tributaries, the Amazon crosses seven countries from its inconspicuous source in the Peruvian highlands to its mouth near Belém in Brazil.

Yet often travellers’ expectations outweigh the reality. Many arrive for an Amazon cruise expecting to hop off on to the riverbanks for casual, Discovery Channel-like encounters with jaguars, anaconda and spear-toting Indians. The Amazon’s quintessential experiences are more sublime than that. The river is massive and unrelenting, as much a life form as the plants and animals that depend on it. Wildlife is hard to spot amid this intricate, organic superstructure, but is all the more special when it makes itself known. Indigenous tribes are very withdrawn, but the Caboclo (mixed Indian and European) populating the riverbanks buck the trend to some extent.

The beauty of an Amazon trip is that it can be as long or as short as you make it. Most people do the journey between Brazilian cities Belém and Manaus in four to six days, although the cruise can be extended easily to six weeks, including stopovers, detours and multiple countries. Some people opt to start their trip down the world’s second-longest river in places such as Iquitos in Peru.

The best time of year to journey down the Amazon is between May to September but whatever time of year you travel expect the boat to be insanely crowded. But just climb into a hammock near the railing, consigning the sounds of boat life to background noise, and lose yourself in the passing of the world’s greatest rainforest.

There are beautiful natural events occurring all around the world. These events, derived from natural phenomenon, are unusual because of their rareness. Some of the events are so spectacular that they simply mesmerize us, and truly describe the uniqueness of the nature.

One such natural phenomena worthy of our adoration can be seen in the Ribeira Valley Tourist State Park near Sao Paulo, Brazil.

You may have heard of phosphorescent algae lighting up oceans or flashing fireflies but the firefox mushroom takes bio-illumination to another level.

These mushrooms are one of a kind, eerily glowing in the dark on moist, rotting bark during late summer months. No-one knows exactly why firefox mushrooms glows in the dark but whatever the cause for illuminating the forest floor, their ghostly and mesmerizingly beautiful light should be felt by all.

To increase your chances of seeing them, trek through the tropical forests near São Paulo during the late summer months (wet season) and move as far as possible from any artificial light sources. You can’t fail to miss their presence.

There are many great things about Colombia but we would like to draw your attention to one of the country’s many hidden treasures: The Salt Cathedral of Zipaquirá.

Located approximately an hour north of Bogotá via bus, private car or tourist train, the Salt Cathedral is the centrepiece of a halite mine that has been active since the 5th century B.C.

Today, workers still excavate salt in the sections of the mountain above and below the Salt Cathedral, which sits over 500 feet below the ground. Although the Zipaquirá Salt Mine is one of countless salt mines in the world, the Salt Cathedral is one of only two, the other being in Poland.

Although the Salt Cathedral isn’t recognized by the church as an actual place of worship, an average of 3,000 Catholics visit the attraction on Sundays alone.

Peñas, in their various guises as rustic dance-halls, restaurants and musical workshops, took Buenos Aires by storm in the 1950s, as communities from the rural provinces began to flock to the capital. Nostalgic for the traditions and slow-paced rhythms of country life, these communal gatherings served as cultural havens, introducing a city disposed to the passionate, anarchic strains of tango to Argentina’s other cultural inheritance: the sonorous lyricism of folklore.

From its heartland in the Andean provinces, this popular form of music emanated from a cross-fertilisation of indigenous, European and African influences.

The contemporary peña comes in two distinct guises: restaurantes and bailables. Live shows and regional delicacies remain staple attractions of the former, but their real charm is a post-show affair, known as the guitarreada. These impromptu jam sessions provide a platform for talented, local musicians who come to strum a tune and fete their own lyrical traditions.

The bailables are an altogether much rowdier affair, where mingling is encouraged and the improvisational dances – chacerera, chamamé and zamba – take centre stage.

Below are a handful of the permanent fixtures on the peña scene. A host of underground folkloric events take place on a more spontaneous basis, the best known of which are Cabillito’s La Resentida and Flores’s A Desalambrar. The newly opened Salta y Resto showcases up-and-coming folkloric talent. Whilst out of town, the Sunday market at Mataderos is considered the most picturesque venue to catch traditionally-attired dancers in action.

Los Cumpas

This vast, chandelier-crowned colonial dance hall is transformed once a month into an much celebrated peña bailable. After eight years as a word-of-mouth phenomenon, the venue has successfully established itself as a staple fixture on the capital’s folkloric scene. Far from the sedate, familial ambience of the traditional peña, Los Cumpas draws in a sprightly, fernet-bearing crowd who pack out the hall until the early hours. From its launch in 2003, the venue has provided a slice of Jujuyan life for those who, adrift in the bustling metropolis, yearn for the convivial atmosphere of the Northern provinces. In the process, it has placed Jujuyan culture firmly on the porteño map. A succession of dynamic bands from Jujuy, Salta and Tucumán cultivate a festival-like atmosphere, animating the invariably packed-out dance hall. The emphasis here is less on mastering moves than on providing a forum for a vast array of Argentine and Latin American dances – chacarera, gatito, saya and carnavalitos – under one roof.

Los Cardones

This Salteñan bar in the heart of Palermo might not be as raucous as its Jujuyan counterpart, but it is the most atmospheric of the city’s mainstream peñas. The brainchild of a sister-brother partnership, María Belén and Maxi Aragón, now managed single-handedly by the former, Los Cardones continues to pull in a nightly crowd of 500. Modelled on the peñas of Salta, with its lemon-yellow and open brick decor, flanked with paintings of dancers and the city’s cathedral, this familial bar-restaurant is typical of Salta’s famed Balcarce street. From ten in the evening, families, couples and groups of friends gather to sample the regional cuisine and take to the dance floor with a flurry of silk scarves. According to María Belén, Los Cardones attracts some of the most celebrated names in folklore and, with its buena onda approach, has secured itself a loyal following. Musicians come to pen lyrics and compose a tune on one of the on-site guitars until the early hours in this warm, home-from-home atmosphere.

Del Colorado

Hailed as the most quintessential peña in the city, Del Colorado, with its rustic time-gone-by aura, is most likely the kind of bodega that a tourist imagines when they think of Argentina. The food is certainly a forte. Succulent empanadas salteñas, Tucumán tamales and a fine selection of wine serve as fuel for the musicians, while those who come to enjoy the show can sample a richer assortment of homemade stews and equally delightful chocolate desserts. The peña boasts an excellent programme of folklore throughout the week, with artists such as Raúl Carnota and Horacio Fontova, as well as tango, jazz and Brazilian music. But for the real Del Colorado treat, linger on after the show when the line between the public and the ‘performance’ blurs. Local musicians congregate, imparting their own musical tradition in the front room, which features a wonderful old piano, a collection of Spanish guitars, charangos and accordions, which circulate with mate on always brimming tables. Del Colorado has maintained its reputation over the years as a place of intercultural exchange and a breeding ground for talented musicians.

La Catedral

La Catedral might have carved out a niche for itself as a visually-striking milonga, but what might come as a surprise is that it doubles up as an equally impressive peña on Sunday nights. The vast, eclectically decorated music-hall venue serves an alluring backdrop to the plangent sounds and enchanting rhythms of folklore. For the chacarera novice, excellent classes with Jorgelina Contreras at 10.30pm will put you in good stead for mastering the dance and mingling in with the local crowd. A running programme of musical acts each week serves as an accompaniment to performers, as well as to the less experienced dancers, eager to practice their newly-leant steps. Whilst less convivial – the vast, dimly-lit space is not overly conducive to table-sharing – La Catedral offers a more accessible inroad into the musical tradition than other more established peñas. For those who are not partial to dancing, whilst not regional fare, the restaurant offers some of the best empanadas and picadas in town.

De La Ribera

This open-air peña in Olivos might seem a little out of town for a Saturday night, but its atmospheric, magical location makes the trek worthwhile. Declared a place of cultural interest in 2008, de La Ribera has become a staple fixture on the Zona Norte scene. Open every Saturday from October to March, the peña comes to life in the summer months when the tree-lined, fairy-lit patio serves as an arena for a host of festivities and moonlight dances. In winter the peña, which takes place on the second Saturday of the month, moves inside, showcasing a finely-picked list of live bands, spotlighted against a striking amber sun backdrop. Most of the crowd are old hands at the art of folklórica and the dancing floor quickly packs out in the evening. Whilst the decor is more rustic than chic, the ambience is warm and inviting, with a fair amount of table – as well as story – sharing. A delicious selection of sugar-dusted tarts and empanadas make perfect accompaniments to the regional wines on offer.

Ever wondered what it would be like to dive off a 14-storey building? Ok, that sounds a little suicidal, but that’s the kind of sensation you get when you’re sliding down Insano, the highest water slide in the world.

Part of a water park near the Brazilian city of Fortaleza, Insano is known as one of the most thrilling water park attractions in the world. Constructed in 1989, it still holds the record for the highest water slide on Earth, at 41 meters high. That’s as tall as a 14-storey building, in case you were wondering. What makes Insano “the most extreme equipment of this type on the planet” (according to the beach park’s official site) is the very steep slide that really lets gravity do its number on anyone crazy enough to try it. Apparently, the whole decent takes just 4 to 5 seconds but during that time you can reach speeds of up to 105 km/h. That’s as fast as a Ferrari.

South America’s lengthy shoreline draws some of the world’s most dedicated surfers. In Uruguay, isolated surfing inlets are dotted along the coast – disconnected, simple, seaside hamlets flanked inland by expanses of green acres populated by the occasional grass-munching cow. Throughout the summer months, surfers slip onto the remote, empty beaches for some of the continent’s best uninterrupted surf, where just about all there is to do is focus on the waves.

The most famed Uruguayan surf town is Punta del Diablo, whose name – “Devil’s Tip” – belies the area’s relaxed, laid-back vibe. The town is peppered with basic houses painted in a kaleidoscope of colours, and the sandy dirt roads that criss-cross Punta del Diablo can still be traversed in about an hour on foot. But today, the former fishing village known mostly to backpackers is seeing an influx in visitors, thanks to the welcoming social scene that accompanies the unbroken surf.

Punta del Diablo is located about 300km from Uruguay’s capital, Montevideo, and the only way to get there is by car or bus. Buses run at staggered times throughout the day on a five-hour ride that loops in and out of Uruguay’s Rocha beach havens, stopping occasionally on the near-empty route to pick up locals at seemingly arbitrary stops, devoid of any markers. About 25,000 vacationers make the trek every year, ballooning the year-round population of fewer than 500 people.

Punta del Diablo also is situated about 175km from flashy Punta del Este, where the stylish set from bordering countries like Argentina descend to party during the summer. But the two towns are opposites in size and personality.

Punta del Diablo has no high-rises and no ATMs, and the waves are audible at any time, from any point in town. Time spent in Punta del Diablo is time spent on the beach, rather than party-hopping, as it is in Punta del Este.

Punta del Diablo attracts a bohemian crowd from across Latin America, as well as backpackers who stop along their route through South America. The ages of people vary, as does the level of surfing skill. Many come toting their own surfboards and rise early to hang 10 on the open, near-deserted beaches. During high season, which runs December to February, a greater number of novice surfers arrive, looking to rent a board and take a few lessons. The weather is almost invariably cooperative and cloudy skies are rare, so all are advised to frequently slather on sunscreen under the notoriously brutal Uruguayan sun.

Many visitors, surfers included, opt to pitch a tent on the campgrounds located on the edge of town. Those looking for a roof above their heads can choose to rent one of the few holiday residences available – also a popular option for longer stays. The hostels in town stay full during peak season, making them an easy epicentre for the nightly social scene.

El Diablo Tranquilo, one of the pioneer hostels in town, opened in 2007. A University of Wisconsin alumnus is at the helm, and he often hires recent graduates from his alma mater to staff the place. Some of the rooms are cramped, and the hostel somewhat resembles a bohemian fraternity house, so surfers looking for solitude should look elsewhere.

A more upscale beachside posada (hotel) that also opened in 2007 is La Viuda del Diablo, built from wood and large glass windows. Each suite contains a Jacuzzi and a king-sized bed. It also has a beach bar and restaurant on-site.

After the sun sets, visitors stay occupied at the strip of bars in town. Most restaurants – where the options for fresh seafood dishes are plentiful – double as nightlife destinations. At places like Bitácora, which has Rastafarian colours for its logo, people dance outdoors and the crowd spills onto the beach. Like most late night beach parties, there is always someone with a guitar, starting a song circle huddled around a campfire.

While other South American beaches might top Punta del Diablo in wave height or blueness of the water, few compare in terms of tranquillity. And that is just how the regulars want to keep it.

Buenos Aires, the capital of Argentina, is often referred to as the ‘The Paris of the South.’ With its European art nouveau-influenced architecture, large boulevards and distinct café culture, it’s not hard to see why.

Combine these European flavours with the joie de vivre and colourful chaos of Latin America and you’ll get a taste of life in Buenos Aires – just one of the reasons why it’s one of the most fascinating cities in the world.

Home to around 13 million porteños (people of the port), Buenos Aires is a sprawling city with several distinct areas. Central Buenos Aires is home to the world’s widest avenue 9 de Julio, always alive with activity and honking, bright yellow taxis, and the 68-metre-high Obelisco – an iconic landmark of the capital.

In the north you’ll find the fashionable districts of Palermo, Belgravo and Recoleto, jam-packed with plush shopping malls and landscaped parks. In complete juxtaposition, head south and you’ll find the grittier side of Buenos Aires – the famously colourful La Boca area and the market-lover’s haven of San Telmo.

You’ll need a good few days to see all the sights, but if you’re handy with a map there’s no reason why you can’t get a good feel of the city in 48 hours. It’s easiest to explore one area of Buenos Aires at a time.

Central: The Plaza de Mayo – the centre of some of Argentina’s most turbulent political moments, including the uprising against Spanish colonial rule on May 25, 1810 (hence its name) – is the centrepiece of central Buenos Aires. It’s where you’ll find one of the most recognisable buildings – Casa Rosada, or Pink House.

Local legend has it that the pink hue of the government building initially came from mixing whitewash with bulls blood, signifying the unification between two warring political factions, the federales (red) and the unitarios (white).

The building is probably best known in association with Evita (Eva Perón), Argentina’s idolised First Lady, who served from 1946 to 1952 (or perhaps from Madonna’s filmed rendition of Don’t Cry For Me Argentina).

Just off the bustling 9 de Julio, in the microcentre, is where you’ll find some of the city’s best shopping areas. Calle Florida is one of the biggest and where you’ll find leather goods, commercial shops and even al fresco tango performances. Pop into Galerías Pacifico, an elegant shopping centre, where you’ll find a dome painted by prestigious artist Castagnino.

North: The Recoleta cemetery should be on any traveller’s to-see list whilst in Buenos Aires (probably one of the only places in the world where you’d consider a cemetery to be a tourist destination). The final resting place for Argentina’s most famous (and wealthiest) residents, Recoleta cemetery is packed with over 6,400 architecturally-stunning mausoleums – including the burial ground of Evita.

As Evita is such a prominent figure in Buenos Aires’ history, it’s a good idea to pay a visit to the Evita museum – situated in a stylish turn of the century mansion in Palermo, where you can get an insight into her incredible life, from her beginnings as an actress to becoming Argentina’s political figurehead.

Palermo is also the place to go for lavish shopping malls and landscaped parks, including the pretty Japanese Garden and UN Square, home to one of Buenos Aires’ newest landmarks, the Floralis Generica – a giant steel flower, whose petals open during the day and close at night.

South: The south of Buenos Aires is the beating heart of the capital, nowhere more so than La Boca – a hub of activity, artists, creativity and colour. It’s also the oldest area of the capital. Most of the action takes place on and around the main street, Caminito, famous for its multi-coloured buildings.

The area is also football-mad (La Boca colours are blue and yellow) and if you really want to get a feel for La Boca life, go see a game at the la Bocca Soccer Stadium – there’s nothing quite like a South American football match! (But keep your wits about you; it can get pretty full-on). For a slightly more relaxing experience, browse the works of art in the interesting Modern Art Museum – Fundación PROA.

The neighbouring bohemian barrio of San Telmo is the perfect place to while away the hours. Its fading elegance of cobbled streets and traditional coffee shops epitomise the real Buenos Aires; the hints of grandeur revealing its past as the residential district in colonial times until the yellow fever epidemic in 1871 forced the upper classes to move to what is now the Recoleta neighbourhood. Now, San Telmo is a treasure trove of interesting market stalls and shops, scattered along labyrinthine streets snaking off the oldest plaza in Buenos Aires – Plaza Dorrego.

Get lost in the hustle and bustle of the Sunday market, when hundreds of locals and tourists alike descend on the pretty neighbourhood to peruse the plethora of market stalls selling everything from homemade jewellery to art and antiques. With the lively music of accordions playing in the background and tango performances on every corner, there’s no better place to soak up the electric atmosphere of Argentina’s capital.

No visit to Buenos Aires is complete without witnessing real Argentine tango and no venue is more famous than Café Tortoni – the oldest coffee shop in Argentina. Preserving the flavour of traditional Buenos Aires, there’s nowhere more atmospheric to watch the enthralling dancers in action.

From the traditional to the bizarre…and they don’t come much more bizarre than Tierra Santa theme park, a land of all things Biblical. It’s worth a visit just to see the mechanical 40ft Jesus ‘resurrect’ every hour to the accompaniment of Hallelujah blasting from speakers.

Buenos Aires, like the rest of Argentina, is all about a good steak (sorry vegetarians). If you’re only going to eat steak once during your stay, make sure it’s at La Cabrera in Palermo, so good it’s more an experience than a meal out. Expect giant slabs of steak and not a lot else (the meat’s so good you won’t care that there aren’t many side orders). You even get a glass of bubbly while you wait for a table.

Snack away during the day on tasty empañadas – one of a number of local fast-dishes called ‘minutas’. For dessert, you’ll be hard pressed to find somewhere in the city, nay the continent, that doesn’t serve dulce de leche – sweet, creamy caramel commonly served with ice cream or in between shortbread biscuits, known as alfajores.

Buenos Aires truly is a city that never sleeps and the capital is teeming with good bars and clubs; there’s a venue for every traveller’s tastes. For cocktails and sophistication, head to the abundance of venues in Palermo and you’ll find a scattering of clubs in the area called ‘Palermo Hollywood,’ west of Plaza Cortazar, reaching into Colegiales and Belgrano. Arcos del ferrocarril (from Libertador y Infanta Isabel to Av. Sarmiento y Casares) is another nightlife hotspot of Buenos Aires. Asia de Cuba, Crobar, Pacha and Cocoliche are some of the most popular clubs.

Not enough legroom. People climbing over you. Noise from movies and video games and screaming children. Sunlight pouring in your neighbour’s window at 35,000 feet. With all the distractions and hassles of air travel, what doesn’t make it tough to sleep on planes?

If you struggle to get some shuteye each time you take to the air, you’re not alone – but choosing the right seat, bringing the right gear and making a few small changes in your flying habits could help you sleep better on your next flight. Read on for some travel-tested tips.

Choose your seat wisely. Your seat location could be one of the most important factors in how well – or how poorly – you sleep on your next trip. Try to get a window seat if possible; it will give you something to lean against and get you out of the way of other folks in your row, who won’t have to scramble over you each time they need to use the bathroom. You’ll also have some control over the window shade.

Think twice about bulkhead or exit row seats. Sure, the extra legroom is great, but some exit row seats do not recline (so that they won’t be an obstruction in case of emergency), and some bulkhead seats have armrests that can’t be raised. Sleeping in one of these is like sleeping in a straitjacket, especially if the seat next to you is unoccupied, or worse, the entire row is empty. What could have been a nice sleep nook is now more like, well, an airplane seat.

Another area to avoid is the last row of the plane. Again, the seats may not recline, and they’re often located right near the lavatories – where both noise and odour could be an issue.

Aside from the very last row, there are pros and cons to sitting near the front of the plane and sitting near the back. Seats near the rear of the plane may be noisier due to the planes’ engines and clink-clanking from the galley, but it’s also more likely that you’ll have a couple of seats (or even a whole row) to yourself back there – and the extra space could make up for the extra noise.

To help you choose your seat, check out SeatGuru.com, which offers colour-coded seating charts for nearly every plane on every airline.

Cut down on your carry-ons. If you have two full carry-ons, one might end up under your feet, limiting your legroom and making it harder to sleep. Instead, pack lighter so you can fit everything into a single bag. Keep a few small necessities near the top of the bag – a book or magazine, a snack, a bottle of water. Before you stow your bag in the overhead compartment, pull out the important items that you’ll need during the flight and put them in the back of the seat in front of you. Keep the items you stow in the seat back pocket to a minimum, and be aware that flight attendants may ask you to put the items back into your carry-on bag.