Brazil’s is an intoxicating mix of pristine palm fringed beaches, tropical islands and lush mountains with cosmopolitan culture, world class art and steamy samba and cachaça rum fuelled nights ... Brazil’s vibe is infectious and the longer you spend there the more you enjoy it!  Here's our run down on our Top Travel Experiences for Brazil … 

Chile is a land of diverse extremes from the surreal and stunning scenery of the northern Atacama Desert, through to the epic mountains, glaciers and lakes of southern Patagonia.  It is home to some of South America’s hippest cities and most extraordinary landscapes, including our biggest highlight of all ... Torres del Paine National Park.

There is something so magical about the Inca capital of Cusco that puts you hopelessly under its spell soon after you arrive.  With so much vibrant culture and colour, few places can rival Cusco’s charm, and it’s likely that once you’ve been ... it will always hold a special place in your heart.

With the Inca Trail on the horizon, by the time we arrived in Arequipa, we were keen to try another trek to help us get up to condition and acclimatised to the altitude.  Despite our previous experience, nothing could have prepared us for the Colca Canyon!  Novice trekkers beware … this was one long hard slog!!!

The enigmatic Nazca Lines of southern Peru have always been something that has fascinated us, so we knew it was somewhere we definitely wanted to visit.  We’d like to be posting about what an incredible experience flying over the Nazca Lines was and how it had lived up to all our expectations, but unfortunately it would be a lie.  

The dune buggy revved and growled loudly as it sped up to the crest of the gigantic sand dune, got airborne as it tipped over the ridge and flew back down the other side - all to the screams of fear and delight from its passengers.  It looked like something straight out of a Mad Max movie and was a ridiculously fun roller coaster ride on sand!

With a population of almost 9 million, Lima is an absolutely massive city and we were dazzled by the sheer expanse of lights as we flew in at night.  It’s hard to believe that one city could hold more than a third of Australia’s entire population!

Imagine a perfect wave peeling endlessly down a left hand point break, overlooked by boulder-strewn cliffs and surrounded by dusty desert plains.  Now imagine a 5-star resort perched on top of the cliffs overlooking this wave with perfectly positioned views all the way up the point from your own private balcony.  Welcome to Chicama surf break … the longest left hand wave in the world!  

Máncora is a laid back little surfing village situated on the northern coast of Peru and was our first stop after crossing the border from Ecuador.  It’s a great place to relax by the beach, learn to surf and get acquainted with Peruvian cuisine … especially ceviche!

Lying directly beneath the shadow of looming active Volcano Tungurahua is the bustling town of Baños de Agua Santa. Baños is the gateway to the Ecuadorian Amazon and is renowned for its wealth of natural beauty, with over 60 waterfalls, thermal baths, lush jungle, towering mountains and volatile volcanoes ...

As we neared the top of the viewing platform, an icy blast of cold wind smacked us in the face and pushed hard against us.  It was then that we caught our first glimpse of what we had traveled so far to see and it took our breath away ... the stunning Quilotoa Crater Lake! 

Upon arriving into the bustling town of Otavalo, we were immediately thrilled to see so many locals dressed in traditional costume ... this was the vibrant indigenous culture of Ecuador we had been hoping to see!

The small village of Mindo is nestled in the lush cloud forest north of Quito.  It was literally a breath of fresh air to arrive into town and be surrounded by nature again ... 

At a lofty altitude of 2850m, Quito is one of the highest capital cities in the world, heart of the Ecuadorian Andes and the next destination on our South American Adventure ...

One of the most popular things to do from Medellín, Colombia is to take a side trip to Guatapé, a colourful pueblo situated 2 hours drive east of the city ...

Salento is a picturesque village in the heart of the Zona de Cafeteria (Coffee Zone) of southern Colombia, famous for native Cocora wax palms.  There is no better way to appreciate their beauty than by hiking the popular Valle de Cocora ...

We had just spent the night in Jardin - a little mountain village in Colombia, a few hours from Medellin.  Our next destination was Salento and the only direct way to get there was a rickety old local bus that took us across the mountain to Riosucio, where we could then transfer to Salento ...

Jardin is a small pueblo nestled among the lush mountains and coffee plantations of the Colombian countryside.  It is known mostly for its quaint country charm, colourful houses and natural beauty ...

Medellín would have to be one of the most inspirational cities we’ve ever visited.  We have been so moved by the history and transformation of this city and its people, that it has left a lasting impression on us ...