Brazil

Brazil is South America's giant, and most visitors focus on a few unforgettable places. Rio de Janeiro sits between granite peaks and long beaches, with Christ the Redeemer looking down from Corcovado and cable cars climbing Sugarloaf Mountain. A short flight away, the Iguaçu Falls thunder through subtropical rainforest on the border with Argentina.

With more time, add the Amazon, staying in a jungle lodge near Manaus, or Salvador, where African and Portuguese heritage meet in the colourful old town. Many travellers also cross to the Argentine side of Iguaçu or combine Brazil with Buenos Aires. Carnival, usually in February, is the most famous time to visit, though hotels fill months ahead.

Eight to ten days covers Rio and Iguaçu with one add-on. Portuguese is the language and English is limited outside hotels, so we arrange English-speaking guides throughout. Vegetarian food is easy to find in Rio's self-service buffets and juice bars, though Indian restaurants are few, and we plan your yellow fever vaccination well before you leave.