Adventure Around Every Corner
Big, bold, and beautiful, the Americas offer travelers plenty of epic-sized journeys.
When it comes to vacation thrills, North, Central, and South America provide some of the most unforgettable travel experiences on the planet. Period. No matter your taste for adventure, you’ll find it in the Americas – and so much more!
Wild and Serene North America
With its overwhelming abundance of nature beauty, it’s no surprise why Alaska lands at the top so many travelers' lists. Here you’ll feel like you’re a world away from the everyday, whether you’re cruising the Inside Passage or heading inland to explore Denali National Park and its wildlife that includes bears, wolves, Dall sheep, caribou, and moose. Learning more about the 11 distinct Alaska Native cultures gives travelers a better appreciation for those groups who have inhabited this timeless land for 10,000 years. Indeed, the 49th U.S. state is home to seemingly endless amounts of untouched frontier to explore.
Of course there’s no denying the fact that Canada also holds its own and is absolutely loaded with hidden gems and countless best-kept-secrets. One of those treasures is the beautiful town of Niagara-on-the-Lake (or NOTL as locals refer to it) which often leaves first-time visitors scratching their heads, wondering “How did I not know about this place?” Situated just 20 minutes north of Niagara Falls, NOTL is the birthplace of Ontario’s modern wine industry. Its location on the shore of Lake Ontario produces some of the finest quality grapes to produce award-winning wines worthy of their international acclaim – particularly ice wine.
And if it’s warm weather and history you’re after, Mexico is home to many picturesque colonial cities – and San Miguel de Allende one of the most beloved. Located in central Mexico, it is a postcard-worthy town characterized by colorful, colonial homes, narrow cobbled streets, and tree-lined squares. At the heart of the city is its famous pink sandstone church, La Parroquia de San Miguel Arcángel. It is an easy place to visit made even more attractive by its year-round beautiful weather, great restaurants, and activities.
Pristine and Modern Central America
Alive, magical, mystical, and ancestral, Guatemala’s history goes back to four thousand years, when the Mayan civilization emerged, and whose legacy remains today with the traditions and culture of its people. Guatemala is a country of extraordinary cultural and natural richness and with a privileged geographical location and is known as the country of eternal spring. The distances from place to place are short here, allowing you to visit several regions in the same trip. It is a unique country, of adventure, unforgettable, between its past and present, in addition to the diversity of activities that it offers to the visitor.
Costa Rica is a tropical paradise with its lush rainforests, miles of unspoiled coastline, and rich local culture. Although small in size, it has almost 1,200 miles of beaches boasting isolated rocky coves and vibrant coastal towns. The Costa Rican rainforests are home to thousands of species of birds, reptiles, and insects. More than 25 percent of Costa Rica is protected, and conservation of the natural environment is one of the country’s top priorities.
A city of diverse cultures and contrasts, Panama City, Panama radiates with life and authenticity. On one side of the city, ultra-modern skyscrapers create a skyline that brings to mind cities like Dubai, while on the other, colonial neighborhoods are a mix of revitalized and gracefully aging buildings. There is so much beauty in the city’s contradictions, so much of the old and new, so much of the past and the future. If you’re visiting the city, a visit to or a cruise through the Panama Canal is a must.
South American Splendor
Fondly known as “Carita de Dios” (God’s Face) and declared by UNESCO as the first Cultural Heritage of Humanity site in 1978, Quito, Ecuador presents a travel experience unlike any other. As the second tallest capital in the world, this picturesque city is located on the slopes of the Pichincha volcano and has the largest and best preserved historic center in Latin America. A walk through its old streets, surrounded by flowery balconies with its bohemian air, will introduce you to the Church of the Society of Jesus, with its internal treasures, El Panecillo with its spectacular views, the Foch area with its colorful nightlife, and gastronomic delights that are truly beyond compare.
Next is Chile, one of the most slender countries in the world — just 150 miles across at its widest point — but don’t let its size fool you! From the snow-capped volcanoes of Patagonia and the blistering heights of the Andes, to world-class wineries and Maoi sculptures of Easter Island, there are many wonderful things to see in Chile. This is where wanderlust comes alive. Urban hubs of colorful culture and sprawling deserts are filled with wonder and can make leaving Chile very difficult.
To the East of Chile, Argentina is another vacation playground that’s home to the lively city of Buenos Aires, gorgeous Iguazu Falls, and the charming wine country of Mendoza. A visit to Argentina offers a study in extremes and its geography nicely mirrors the diversity of the cultures that populate it. Whether you’re visiting Buenos Aires, “Paris of South America,” the country’s tranquil coastline, or the exquisite (but unforgiving) beauty of the snow-capped Andes Mountains, Argentina will captivate your senses.
