Travel is a bit like a drug. Once you start, it can be difficult to stop, and the more you do it, the more you want to keep doing it. Go without it for long enough, and you may just find yourself in a pawn shop with your partners fancy watch and a fistful of Aunt Mable’s silver in an effort to plan your next escape.

What are the symptoms of addiction? Besides hoarding travel shampoo or dealing with ‘the shakes’ when you’re grounded for too long, what qualifies you as a travel addict? Check out these tell-tale signs and see if you are, in fact, a travel addict!

You know you’re addicted to travel when:

1. The only reason you work is so you can afford your next trip

2. You’re planning one trip while on another

3. Waking up at home feels strange

4. Instead of winter/summer clothes, your closet is divided into home/travel clothes

5. The high street in your hometown plunges you into despair

6. Your 9 to 5 job makes you feel like you’re in prison

7. You sit down at your work desk or at a restaurant and reach for the seatbelt

8. Your cubicle at work is covered in postcards and travel memorabilia

9. You live out of your suitcase even when at home

10. Thinking about all the places you haven’t been makes you feel anxious

11. You don’t wait around for people but take off on your own

12. You have credit cards based upon the air miles program

13. You have more miles in the air than you have on all your vehicles combined

14. You’re constantly counting countries and continents

15. You can and have given tourists directions in London, Paris, Tokyo, or any other places you don’t live

16. You already know the airport codes for airports you’ve not yet visited

17. You can pick up your luggage and guess, within a few ounces, the weight

18. You think about getting a small airplane or Lonely Planet tattoo for your ankle or lower back

19. The projected period of your next big trip is longer than the amount of time you anticipate being retired

20. When 80% of your email inbox is full of travel related messages

21. Haircuts are scheduled not on when you need them but to carry you through the next trip

22. You carry your everyday cosmetics in a quart-sized Ziploc bag

23. When you are out walking, you stumble because you are looking up at a jet in the sky and wondering where it’s going

24. Your travel bucket list is over four pages long

25. The only items on your bucket list that you’ve crossed off are the ones related to travel

26. Books, films and music make you want to travel

27. You pepper all your sentences with travel quotations or start all your stories with “When I was in…”

28. You read travel guidebooks for fun

29. You always ask “where people are from?” even when you know

30. You wear flip flops in the shower

31. You take toilet paper everywhere you go out of habit

32. Your iPod only has songs related to travelling

33. You can tell where people have been by the cheesy logos and sayings on their shirts (Same Same = Thailand, Yellow Star = Vietnam)

34. You have elite flier status on multiple airlines

35. You attend travel conferences multiple times a year

36. You don’t have paintings on the wall – you have maps

37. You spend two hours each day reading travel blogs and travel websites

38. You subscribe to multiple travel magazines

39. When you think of prices, you value things in terms how many days you could travel on the equivalent amount of money

40. You pretend you are a travel writer

41. Your conversation starter is “Have you ever been to [insert country name]?” instead of talking about the weather

42. You wear t-shirts that say country names other than where you live

43. When people ask you about your hobbies, all your answers contain the word “travel”

44. You know how to pronounce your name in 5 different languages

45. Some people cry when they leave home. You cry when you have to go back

46. When people ask you your profession, you say vagabond

47. You filled your first passport before the first year was over

48. You have trips planned for next decade

49. The Latin Lounge, Boots N All, Kayak, or Lonely Planet is your homepage

50. You don’t think San Jose (Costa Rica) to Rio de Janeiro (Brazil) is long distance

51. You’ve been to at least 5 major cultural events (Carnival in Brazil, Oktoberfest in Germany, etc)

52. You started a travel journal/blog (even if you only managed to muster up one entry)

53. You think it’s not really travelling unless you visit at least 2 countries during a trip

54. Half of your Facebook photos are of you standing in front of various world wonders or monuments

55. During a job interview, you tell the interviewer that your 5-year plan involves not staying on the same continent

56. You’re pretty familiar with the layout of most major airports

57. You know which customs officials to avoid

58. Your parents have suggested you seek professional help

59. You become offended when someone thinks Aussies actually drink Fosters

60. You spend hours every day daydreaming about trips you’ll never take, trips you’ve taken, and people you’ve met on the road

61. You have detailed critiques of the world’s major airlines and judge them by the quality of their in-flight food

62. The vast majority of your Facebook friends live across the world

63. Booking flights gives you an amazing high

64. The faint smell of sewage combined with car exhaust fumes makes you mildly aroused

65. Dodging cars, motorbikes, pushcarts and livestock is your only form of cardio

66. Friends with spouses and children live vicariously through your tweets and Facebook updates

67. You start to wonder just how much damage it would do to your life to spontaneously pick up and disappear for three-to-six months

68. Staying in the same place for more than one week makes you fidgety

69. You know the tipping etiquette for more than 10 countries

70. You are an expert in combating jet lag

71. You know which airports have free wifi and which do not

72. You can spot which souvenirs are authentic and which are from factories in China

73. You have spent a small fortune on iPhone travel apps

74. You follow elections in other countries to gauge for travel viability

75. You use Skype more than a regular phone

76. You plan your friends and family’s vacations, just for fun

77. You evaluate prospective careers based on allowable vacation time

78. You have more than one currency in your wallet, just in case

79. You don’t have a permanent address

80. When you read about travel addict posts!

Take the smallest, least practical vehicle available in the South American continent, cram some Adventurists into it and chuck the lot at some of the most ridiculous and least hospitable terrain on earth.

From dry deserts, to dangerous roads and the biggest rainforest in the world, the Mototaxi Junket is rarefied adventuring stupidity in its finest form.

There’s no guarantee of making it to the finish line and no back-up. It’s just you, two glorious weeks, the worst machine ever invented and thousands of miles of one of the greatest adventures in the world.

The adventure traverses the length of Peru from Cuzco to Piura or vice-versa.

If you are interested in signing up for the September 2012 edition of the Mototaxi Junket or later editions visit the Adventurists website.

The scenic beauty resonating around the town of Pucon, Chile, is well worth the effort it takes to journey to this remote area. Surrounded by lush vegetation, volcanoes and beautiful blue lakes, this destination is ideal for adventurous types and those seeking a getaway to the great outdoors.

Travellers who want to hit the trails right away can make plans for visiting the Parque Nacional Huerquehue. According to Lonely Planet, this region offers acres of seemingly untouched nature, including araucaria forests and chilly alpine lakes. The Los Lagos route may be the most breathtaking, as it passes by waterfalls and through staggering lenga woodlands.

To see the volcanoes, a trip to the parque Nacional Villarica is worth a trip. In the winter, skiers will delight in the wealth of snowy slopes, while summertime brings the hikers and bikers along miles of wooded trails.

In town, there is a artisanal market that provides travelers with an opportunity to pick up some unique souvenirs, reports Frommer’s. Guests may find everything from locally produced jewelry, wool sweaters and outdoor gear for sale in booth on the street and the nearby handcrafted shops.

Rio kicks off its world-famous Carnival celebrations Friday, heralding five days of wild samba dancing, parades of lavishly decorated floats and scores of scantily dressed women.

The annual pre-Lent festival will bring this racially diverse country of 191 million people virtually to a stop, with all eyes on Rio, the “Marvellous City” that sets the standard for over-the top partying and sexy exhibitionism.

Late Monday, city officials breathed a collective sigh of relief when police and fire-fighters seeking higher pay ended a strike that had threatened to disrupt the event.

Billed as the “greatest show on earth,” Carnival in Rio generates 250,000 jobs and revenues of US$640 million dollars for hotels, bars and restaurants, according to state officials.

More than five million people, including 850,000 tourists, are expected to attend, according to Rio’s tourism secretary Antonio Pedro Figueira de Mello.

mmMule is a social travel network that connects locals who need stuff with travellers who can deliver it. Their non profit arm AngelMule uses travellers to deliver supplies to non profit projects and grassroots organisations in need.

Make a real difference the next time you travel by using your journey to deliver urgently needed supplies to non profits around the world, who will in turn reward you with fun, cultural travel experiences.

Even the smallest things can bring a smile to someone in need.

Human beings have honoured their dead since the dawn of time – even Neanderthals buried the fallen. In fact, burial is the oldest of human rituals. From simple stone dolmens to the glory of the pyramids, humans have spent a lot of time and energy providing the deceased with a decent send-off.

Modern cemeteries run the gamut from park-like settings with simple gravestones to elaborate cities of the dead with architecture rivalling buildings designed for the living. Basic or bombastic, cemeteries tell us how people died, but also how they lived.

One of the most fascinating cemeteries on earth is La Recoleta, located in a classy Buenos Aires neighbourhood. It is an elegant masterpiece of architecture for the afterlife. The wide pathways (which are often patrolled by resident cats) are lined with mausoleums noteworthy for their variety of styles: cathedral, art nouveau, and modernistic boxes that one guide described as “ATM-style.” This cemetery is also known for its eclectic symbols including a menorah with a cross, lots of Masonic pyramids, and even some statues of pagan gods. Although Eva Peron is the most famous resident, the most tragic story belongs to Rufina Cambaceres who was buried alive here.

On the day of her 19th birthday, Rufina discovered that her mother was sleeping with Rufina’s boyfriend. A stunned Rufina fell into a catatonic state and was declared dead by two physicians (called to the scene by her mother). The poor girl was buried but woke up screaming and clawing at her casket. By the time a cemetery guard discovered the cracked lid on her coffin, she had died (for real) of a heart attack.

Cuba is crammed with beautiful beaches and idyllic islands. If you can tear yourself away from them, there’s a whole host of unmissable places to explore

Baracoa

Tucked away in the far eastern corner of Cuba, Baracoa’s distance from Havana makes it one of the least visited areas of the country. This has ensured that many of the local people have kept their traditions and continue to preserve the region’s pristine eco-system.

It is Cuba’s oldest settlement and was one of the first landing sites for Christopher Columbus back in 1492. Anyone venturing down here is captivated by the scenic journey, snaking along mountain sides before a final descent into this quaint little city, overlooked by the imposing tabletop mountain – El Yunque.

Surrounded by lush rainforest and stunning secluded beaches, Baracoa is a world away from the hustle and bustle of Havana and well worth a visit to see another side to this fascinating country. Cocoa trees are found in abundance in the local area so be sure to sample the local chocolate.

Horticultural tour of an Organopónico

Organopónicos are a system of urban organic gardens that have sprung up in Cuba as a result of the collapse of the Soviet Union. Back in the 1990s the collapse, combined with the US trade embargo, drastically left the country with insufficient food and other essential supplies, like petrol and machinery.

Faced with this crisis the government introduced a system of self-sufficiency by giving land and water to cooperatives in return for a share of the crops. Thus an organic revolution began to take place all over Cuba, with the imaginative use of any spare space to grow food; crumbling walls supporting plant pots and old parking lots converted into small vegetable plots and the Organopónicos were born.

Featured by the broadcaster Monty Don in his TV programme Around the World in 80 Gardens, visiting one of these impressive plots and being proudly shown around by a local gardener is a fascinating insight into everyday life in Cuba and a truly wonderful experience.

Sancti Spiritus

This delightful colonial town just an hour from Trinidad, is full of charm and character and much over-looked by most visitors to Cuba. It was, like Trinidad, founded by Diego Velazquez in 1514 and became the military, political and economic centre of the area in the colonial period. This led to the city being embellished with elegant 17th and 18th century mansions with a compact and attractive colonial centre similar to Trinidad’s but far more peaceful with appealingly local authenticity.

There is a simple but charming hotel located right on its attractive central plaza called the Hotel de Rijo. A stay here can make a welcome break from the humdrum of Cuba’s larger cities.

The end of a year has always been a time to look back, to reflect on where you’ve been and what you’ve learned. But it’s also a time to look ahead at the coming year, to make plans, to dream. In order to provide you with ideas and inspiration, and get you thinking about where you want to travel this year, here are four destinations worthy of consideration in 2012. Two of the places were chosen because there’s something special happening this year that makes 2012 an ideal time to visit. Even if you pick a totally different destination, what matters is that you’re going out to see the world.

Copan, Honduras

December 21, 2012 marks the end of a cycle of 5,125 years since the beginning of the Mayan Long Count calendar in 3113 BC. Some people think this means the Mayans predicted the world would end on this day, but most modern Mayan scholars actually think it’s simply the end of one era and the beginning of another, a time of rebirth and celebration.

No matter which you believe, if you want a ringside seat for the event, you’ll have plenty of ancient Mayan sites to choose from. Honduras, and specifically the ruins at Copan, should be at the top of your list. Less touristic than Tikal, Chichen Itza, or Tulum, Copan sits just one mile outside of the of Copan Ruinas, a hilly small town where cowboys still ride through the cobblestone streets and vendors sell handmade tortillas from street stalls for only a dollar. Outside of town, you can visit a coffee plantation, learn to cook a traditional Honduran meal, or soak in a natural hot spring. And unlike neighbouring Costa Rica, Honduras has yet to become an eco-adventure hotspot, so it’s a bit easier to get off the beaten path, plus, since the country experience a major drop in tourism in 2009 (due to the ousting of President Zelaya and the resulting protests) and is still recovering, it’s cheaper than more popular destinations in the region.

The big day is predicted for December 21, 2012, which falls during the country’s dry season when temperature are hot but not too humid and there is little rain.

Chichen Itza, Mexico

Hidden deep within the jungles of the Yucatan Peninsula lie the ruins of one of the largest cities of Mayan civilisation. Chichen Itza is noted for illustrating the fusion of Mayan-Toltec civilizations, through its multitude of elaborate and highly decorated ceremonial structures, including temples, pyramids, palaces and observatories.

Highlights of this UNESCO World Heritage site include the Great Hall Court, El Castillo and the Temple of the Warriors. Visit in March to witness the Descent of Kukulcan, where sculptures of Feathered Serpents running down the sides of the northern staircase of El Castillo, appear to come to life.

As above, the big day is December 21, 2012. Join the celebrations at El Castillo, the grand pyramid in Chichen Itza dedicated to Kukulkan, a feathered serpent deity.

Chile

Although Chile isn’t as popular as other South American countries such as Peru, Brazil, Argentina or Colombia, it offers plenty for the independent traveller. From the dry deserts and unique landscapes of the north to the bustling metropolis that is Santiago, to the beauty of the lake districts and the wildness of Patagonia in the south, Chile has a diversity of scenery not found in many other countries. Add in the friendly locals, the amazing beef that rivals neighbour Argentina, and a plethora of seafood with nearly 4000 miles of coastline, and Chile should start getting some attention.

While Chile isn’t as cheap as some other South American destinations like Peru and Bolivia, cost of travel is still extremely low when compared to more western locations like Europe and North America. There is a major international hub in Santiago, and the overland transport options are many, with cheap and comfortable overland buses and unique river and fjord travel options in the south. If you’re a hiker and outdoors type, Torres del Paine in Chilean Patagonia regularly tops lists of greatest places in the world to trek. The landscape of this country nestled between the Atlantic and the Andes needs to be seen to be believed, and if you are into lakes, glaciers, volcanoes, beaches, and salt flats, you’ll be happy with a trip to Chile.

Because Chile spans such a large north to south area, when you visit largely depends on where you’re going. If heading to Patagonia in the south, then the summer months of December to February provide the best weather (but also the larger crowds and prices).

If visiting the central part of the country (Santiago and Valparaiso), visiting any time between October and April is good, but spring or fall will provide you with the most pleasant time. The areas in the north, including the Atacama Desert (the driest desert on Earth), can be visited year-round, just be aware of the altitude, which means hot days and cool nights no matter what time of year you visit. Summer is the rainy season in the northern altiplano, but you can expect just an afternoon shower daily instead of weeks of rain at a time.

Nicaragua

Central American countries have been gobbled up by independent travellers for years. Costa Rica was an early and obvious target, and in recent years Guatemala and Panama have risen up the ladder as well. While Nicaragua isn’t exactly undiscovered, however, it doesn’t tend to be as popular with travellers – making it an ideal ‘next stop’ on your Central American tour.

Like other countries in Central America, Nicaragua is an excellent destination for eco-tourism – between two long stretches of coastline on the Pacific Ocean and Caribbean Sea there are volcanoes to hike and huge lakes to enjoy, not to mention places like the famous Corn Islands just offshore. Nicaragua’s capital of Managua was severely damaged in a 1972 earthquake, but the gorgeous colonial cities of Granada and León more than makes up for whatever Managua lacks. Granada is Nicaragua’s oldest colonial city, and León has some of the best-preserved colonial architecture in the country.

While the price of travel in many parts of Central America remains fairly low and you won’t lure anyone to Nicaragua solely because of the promise of cheap travel, Nicaragua is far cheaper to visit than Costa Rica or Panama. It’s one of the best bargains in the region, and with tourism numbers increasing exponentially in recent years it’s not likely to stay that way forever.

In the Southern Hemisphere, it’s summer, and in South America, there is plenty of warm weather, sun, sandy beaches perfect for snorkelling, surfing and sunbathing and lush, green forests and mountains for hiking and camping.

In the mild summer weather of Patagonia in the southern part of the continent, you can zip-line through forest canopies or jet-ski across crystalline, azure lakes. In the tropical rainforests of Colombia and Venezuela, you can trek through steamy jungles to catch a glimpse of colourful birds and exotic animals. Most of South America lies in the Southern Hemisphere, but even in the Northern Hemisphere countries, the weather is generally much warmer at this time of year than in North America or Europe. Head south both to escape the cold and to have the adventure of a lifetime. Here are ten suggestions to get you started:

Los Roques Archipelago National Park, Venezuela

By far, the most pristine and lesser-known group of islands in the Caribbean, Los Roques is an atoll of 350 beach-fringed islands and cays lying 80 miles north of the coast of Venezuela. A 546-acre nature reserve was created in 1972 to protect an extensive ecosystem of islands, beaches, coral reefs, sea turtles, seabirds, marine life, mangroves and sea grass beds. The dazzlingly white sand beaches and shallow, turquoise warm waters are excellent for snorkelling, scuba diving, wind-sailing, kite-surfing, sport fishing and boating and the wide, shallow flats allow beach-goers to stroll into the ocean knee-deep far from the beach.

Most people travel to Los Roques in organized groups, specifically for fishing or diving trips, but it is possible to travel independently. Using a travel agency is advisable, given the currency-exchange, security and logistical challenges of travelling within Venezuela, but if you prefer to go it alone, flights leave daily from Caracas or Isla Margarita (Margarita Island) and hotels at various price levels are plentiful.

San Carlos de Bariloche, Argentina

The stunningly beautiful, forested lake district of Argentina known by locals as simply Bariloche, is famous for its crystal blue lakes and rivers dotted with green islands and its backdrop of emerald hills and the snow-capped Andes Mountains. In the Southern Hemisphere winter, it is a mecca for skiers and winter sport enthusiasts, but it is still lively during the summer months of December through April as a centre for trekking, camping, forest canopy zip-lining, boating, Jet-skiing, rock-climbing, white-water rafting, kayaking, paragliding, scuba diving, canoeing, horseback riding and 4×4 off-road excursions.

Located in the centre of Patagonia, with a quaint Bavarian-themed town centre famous for its chocolate and dulce de leche, Bariloche is an excellent base for exploring nearby mountain trails and nature reserves such as Nahuel Huapi National Park, the oldest in Argentina. Bariloche has many direct flights from Buenos Aires, Argentina and Santiago de Chile and can also be reached easily from most towns and cities through the expansive and generally reliable long-distance bus networks of South America.

Ilha Grande, Angra Dos Reis, Brazil

Ilha Grande (big island) is part of a group of twenty-two islands, filled with beautiful, tranquil coves and beaches, lying off the southeast coast of Brazil. Its beaches, such as Lopes Mendes Beach, are consistently rated as some of the best in the world, and are known for their ultra-soft white sand and waves perfect for surfing. The tranquil, laid-back town centre (no cars allowed) is easily walked, with many posadas or hostels available in all price ranges, numerous cafes and beach-side restaurants, travel agencies and shops.

After visiting the beaches, travellers looking for more action can try out the full- and half-day sailing excursions on pirate-themed schooners, snorkelling, scuba diving, fishing, surfing, swimming, exploring other islands and beaches, forest trekking, sea kayaking, camping or mountain biking. Although Ilha Grande has no commercial airport, it is a relatively short hop of about 3 and a half hours by bus from nearby Rio de Janeiro to Angra, where there is a connecting ferry. Ilha Grande is a great place to kick back and relax (or recuperate) after the excitement of Rio.

Puerto Maldonado, Peru

When visiting Peru, most travellers make a beeline to Machu Picchu, Arequipa or Colca Canyon, but the less frequented Amazonia area is well worth a visit. This thickly forested area of the Amazon, with its extensive river system, tropical rain forests and diverse wildlife is the jumping off point for Manú National Park, Tambopata National Reserve, and Bahuaja-Sonene National Park as well as a base for incredible guided nature walking tours, eco-hotels and bird- and animal-spotting 4×4 excursions.

Visitors can view a large variety of birds and animals, including many endangered species: tarantulas, anacondas, clay-eating macaws, parrots, toucans, jaguars, colourful butterflies, egrets, turtles, tapirs, caimans and peccaries are all in abundance. Direct flights from most cities of Peru are widely available. Reserving an eco-tour package is a good idea since many of the trails and excursions are inaccessible, and potentially dangerous, without a guide.

Estancias (Dude Ranches), Uruguay

Uruguay, known as the Switzerland of South America and an important ranching centre, has opened many of its traditional estancias to the tourist trade. The cost of running these vast, privately-owned cattle ranches has become prohibitive for most owners and instead of selling their properties, some of which have been in their families for generations, many families have opted to cater to guests. Many estancias now offer private or shared accommodations, asados (a variety of meats grilled outside on a wood fire), horseback riding lessons and a chance for visitors to experience the authentic South American cowboy or “gaucho” way of life first-hand by working as a ranch hand.

There is a wide variety of estancias, from very basic to luxurious, from rustic family-run working cattle ranches to elegant properties with pools, spas and room service. From Montevideo, take one of the many buses to the town closest to the estancia of your choice. Uruguay has an excellent, reliable cross-country bus system and most estancias offer pick-up service from nearby terminals.

Torres del Paine, Chile

Torres del Paine National Park in the south of Chile boasts almost 600,000 acres of untamed, protected wilderness. Towering mountains, glacial lakes, well-maintained trails and meadows filled with wildflowers are all abundant and the park is home to families of condors, pumas and guanacos. There is something for everyone: numerous hiking trails of varying difficulty and length, boat trips through iceberg-filled waterways, guided tours and glacier hiking. Visitors to the park can stay in nearby Puerto Natales or inside the park grounds at free or low-cost campsites, basic refugios, mid-range or luxury hotels. It’s possible to hike alone, in small groups, with a guided excursion, on a full moon night trek, a 4×4 day trip or explore on horseback.

The weather in the park is highly unpredictable and can be extreme, so raingear and warm clothing are essential even in summer, when the weather can go from warm and sunny to freezing cold with high winds and rain in a matter of minutes. Although the conditions can be challenging, it is well worth a visit to this savagely beautiful park. To reach the park, most travellers fly into Puerto Natales, Chile or El Calafate, Argentina, then take one of the hourly buses that leave from the town centre to the park entrance or hotels. Once you pay the park entrance fee, you can stay for as many days as you like inside the park, but be aware that, if you leave the park and want to return, you must re-pay the entrance fee.

Baños, Ecuador

A little known charming town filled with natural hot springs, great restaurants and shops, Baños (named “baths” for its thermal springs), is home to both Tungurahua, the largest volcano in Ecuador and to San Martin Zoological Gardens, a reserve dedicated to the protection of injured and endangered Amazonian animals and birds. It is a great, tranquil base for adventure sports, volcano trekking and exploring, hiking through cloud forests or the high Andes, river rafting, trekking, mountain biking, 4×4 off-road adventures, bird watching, volcano exploration tours or just relaxing in the town’s thermal baths.

Although a popular tourist stop, the town maintains a laid-back atmosphere, perfect for relaxing after a day of hiking up a volcano. To reach Baños, fly into Quito and take a connecting bus to the town centre.

Valle de Cocora, Salento, Colombia

One of the most uninhabited, pristine areas of Colombia, Valle de Cocora near Salento is also one of the most breathtaking hiking spots in the world. The valley’s trails offer spectacular views of the Andean volcanoes known as Los Nevados, cloud forests, lush countryside, green rolling hills, waterfalls and colourful, iridescent hummingbirds.

The area is also home to the tallest palm tree in the world, the Wax Palm, which can grow up to 70 meters high (about 230 feet). The trails are generally good, but can be uneven and include several river crossings so it’s best to go with a local guide. In Bogata or Cartegena, there are many travel agencies that can arrange 4×4 transportation and an English-speaking guide. The hike can be done in a day, but take food, plenty of water and warm clothes as this is a remote area with few, if any, places to buy supplies.

Mérida/Los Nevados, Venezuela

The town of Mérida lies between two Andean mountain ranges and is a hugely popular vacation spot for Venezuelans, but largely unvisited by foreign tourists. The topographically diverse countryside is home to four national parks, twelve state parks, snow-capped mountains, rainforests, waterfalls, lakes, coffee plantations and even a tropical beach (Playa Palmarito). From Mérida, it is possible to take side trips to visit local Andean communities and scenic lookouts.

Take a burro, jeep or cable car to lookout points or to remote mountain villages like Los Nevados, a town that lies between Mérida and the highest mountain in Venezuela, Pico Toro. The weather is spring-like and pleasant year round in Mérida, but can be much colder in the mountain villages, so take warm clothing. From the capital city of Caracas, fly or take a bus directly to Mérida.

The Pantanal, Brazil

The Pantanal in the south central area of Brazil is the world’s largest protected wetland at 54,000 square miles, with up to 12 sub-regional ecosystems. As of 2000, it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, but generally lesser known to non-Brazilians than the Amazon basin. The extensive nature reserve was established to protect the more than 1000 species of birds, 400 of fish, 300 of mammals, 480 of reptiles, 9,000 of invertebrates and 3,000 species of known plant life.

Camping, lodging, transportation and tour facilities are available and guides are recommended. Most hostels and hotels offer a package which includes piranha fishing, night safari jeep tours, horseback riding, river excursions, tubing and nature walks. Fly into Sao Paulo or Rio de Janeiro and take a connecting flight to the any of the towns closest to the wetlands: Campo Grande or Bonito in the south, Cuiaba in the north or Corumba in the west. Excursions or independent transportation can be booked from any of the towns and leave daily.

A trek along an ancient path between soaring mountains to get to a secret city – the Inca Trail is the stuff of travel legend

Located in southern Peru, not far from Cusco, the Inca Trail is the awesome Andean walk with the ultimate payoff: a path that runs along a scared valley, via a raging river, intriguing ruins and soaring condors, to pass through a regal gateway from which the Incan citadel of Machu Picchu unfurls before you.

Sadly you won’t be the first to have cottoned on to the wonder of the Inca Trail. Since Hiram Bingham ‘discovered’ Machu Picchu in 1911 – something the Spanish conquistadores failed to do centuries before – intrepid travellers have been tramping this stone-paved Incan highway to get to the hill-perched site.

In fact so many travellers were walking the Inca Trail that the Peruvian government stepped in, restricting numbers and banning independent trekking. You now need to apply for a permit to hike the Inca Trail, and you must hike with a guide.

This is a good thing. It has relieved some of the pressure on the Inca Trail, which is better for the fragile environment, and for your experience – the path and campsites will be far less crowded. It does mean you need to plan your hike in advance to ensure you get a place.

Advance planning is essential anyway. The Inca Trail is a four-day, 43km hike that reaches an altitude of 4,200m; you will be trekking for several hours a day, with some big ascents and descents. You need to be physically prepared before attempting it.

Your Peruvian guides and porters will help as much as possible, generally transporting your main pack, cooking you hearty meals and setting up camp each night, so you are free to just concentrate on the walk.

It’s well worth the sweat and strain, however – even if you don’t get the trail to yourself. Enjoy the scenery en route – there are plenty of Incan ruins, stunning Andean views and interesting flora and fauna that your guide will be able to point out – then prepare yourself for the sight of Machu Picchu itself: the icing on the cake.