Honeymoon

Peru is a country in western South America, bordering the South Pacific Ocean and straddling part of the Andes mountain range that runs the length of the continent. Peru is bordered by Ecuador and Colombia to the north, Brazil and Bolivia to the east and Chile to the south. Peru has a natural diversity and cultural wealth hardly equaled the world over.

The country is divided by the Andes into three distinct regions: the coast, the highlands and the jungle. This means that Peru is an ecological tourist’s paradise, with beautiful beaches and coastline, several mountain ranges of varying character and an expansive rainforest teeming with wildlife. Besides Peru’s natural resources, the country’s major assets are its archaeological patrimony, its gastronomy (one of the most important in the world) and its imposing colonial architecture. Of course, there’s also Machu Picchu, a pre-Colombian Incan city almost 8,000 feet high in the mountains, heralded as an architectural masterpiece.

Cusco (also "Cuzco," or "Qosqo" in Quechua), located in southern Peru, is a fascinating city that was once the capital of the Incan Empire. Cuzco is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is one of Peru's most important and popular tourist destinations.

The original Inca city, said to have been founded in the 11th century, was sacked by Pizarro in 1535. There are still remains of the Palace of the Incas, the Temple of the Sun and the Temple of the Virgins of the Sun. In fact, there are Incan ruins scattered all around Cusco, notably the nearby "fortresses" of Ollantaytambo and Sacsayhuaman (just below the gigantic statue of Christ that hovers over Cusco) and the world-famous Machu Picchu, reachable by train or foot from the city.

Cusco's vibrant Plaza de Armas combines historic architecture (i.e., the cathedral) with vibrant dining and nightlife, and is one of the safer areas of the city at night. Cusco is a major tourist draw, but is not yet over-commercialized and still retains a unique cultural flair at an unbeatable price.

Argentina is a large, elongated country in the southern part of South America. It is the second largest country on the continent and home to South America’s highest and lowest points. Argentina borders Bolivia, Brazil and Paraguay to the north, Uruguay to the northeast and Chile to the west. Several important Argentinean cities are Buenos Aires, Córdoba, La Plata, Mendoza, Rosario and San Juan.

Argentina is a popular tourist destination for its breathtaking and rugged scenery as well as for its culture and accommodations. Adventurers and outdoorsy types flock to the Patagonia region and the advancing Perito Moreno glacier in the south or to the amazing Iguazu Falls on the border with Brazil. The wine regions of Mendoza and Salta are also popular emerging tourist destinations.

Patagonia, in Argentina and a part of Chile, contains part of the Andes Mountains. Ideal for the camera trigger-happy visitor, the areas landscapes span from massive, icy glaciers to grassy hills and water against the backdrop of snow-covered mountains.

The recommended time to visit this paradise at “the end of the world” is during the summer months, when humid weather and flower blossoms invite all kinds of visitors. Indigenous people in this area were once thought to be giants (a whopping 5’ 11”), which is perhaps where the name originates.

Splash around in the warm waters of the Atlantic Ocean, treat yourself to dishes like Curanto, which means hot stones, at Colonia Suiza or try Lamb Shish Kebab. Go fly fishing, tackle some of the world's best climbing, take the snow full-on with just you and your skis or take advantage of a natural hot spring spa.

Because you like that hot and cold feeling that keeps you on your toes.

A long and narrow strip of land between the Andes Mountains and Pacific Ocean, Chile (once known as Tchili, meaning “snow”) is a country in South America bordered by Peru, Bolivia and Argentina. In 1541, Pedro de Validivia, a Spanish conquistador, founded Santiago the capital of Chile.

Today, Santiago is home to over 5 million people and boasts some of Chile’s most beautiful natural attractions including Torres del Paine and the southern Lake District where tourists and locals can go hiking or biking past lush forests and impressive mountains. Among the popular historical landmarks for tourists is Easter Island (Isla de Pascua), a World Heritage site which is famous for its monumental statues.

Situated close to Santiago is the Valparaíso Region, a popular summer destination that is home to several beach resorts. Tourists also visit the nearby city Viña del Mar, for its beaches, casino and annual song festival, which features music such as tonada, a traditional Chilean song.