San Antonio to Fort Lauderdale

A single tram ride will open up a whole vista of possibilities during your visit to Valparaiso - from the colourful houses set upon the hillsides to the stunning Maipo Valley wine region

A single tram ride will open up a whole vista of possibilities during your visit to Valparaiso - from the colourful houses set upon the hillsides to the stunning Maipo Valley wine region

Welcome to up-and-coming Coquimbo. Halfway down the long strip that is Chile, this working port city on the Pan American Highway is making a name for itself, especially when it comes to the nightlife. The elegant 19th-century English Quarter is beautiful by day, whereas the Aldunate area is where to be at night, full of bars and nightclubs where you can watch or partake in South American dancing.

As well as being blessed with amazing archaeological treasures, including the oldest mummies in the world, Arica attracts international acclaim for its fine wines and truly world-class surfing waves. Known by Chileans as ‘city of the eternal spring’, Arica has been an important port since Spanish colonial rule in the 1500s, and has plenty to offer in terms of historic sites and places to visit.

To the conquistadores, this was the ‘City of Kings’ and its colonial majesty still dominates the heart of Peru’s capital. Dramatic cliffs, golden beaches and varied cuisine are among its other riches. An undoubted highlight of Lima is the Plaza Mayor in its centre. It’s filled with grand colonial buildings, some of which date from the 16th century, such as The Government Palace, which occupies almost the whole north side of the square. Other impressive landmarks include the Archbishop’s Palace and the twin-towered baroque cathedral.

To the conquistadores, this was the ‘City of Kings’ and its colonial majesty still dominates the heart of Peru’s capital. Dramatic cliffs, golden beaches and varied cuisine are among its other riches. An undoubted highlight of Lima is the Plaza Mayor in its centre. It’s filled with grand colonial buildings, some of which date from the 16th century, such as The Government Palace, which occupies almost the whole north side of the square. Other impressive landmarks include the Archbishop’s Palace and the twin-towered baroque cathedral.

Manta sits almost directly on the equator, roughly halfway up Ecuador’s Pacific shoreline. The area was home to at least seven different civilisations before the Spanish conquered the region in 1534. While the Panama hat is known around the world, it is less common knowledge that they actually come from Ecuador. Montecristi is just a short hop inland from Manta, and it provides a fascinating insight into their manufacture.

This recently developed port with its modern shopping plazas is just next door to Panama City, once a vital link along the Golden Main. In 1671, it was destroyed by the Welsh buccaneer Henry Morgan and a new colonial city was built: Casco Antiguo, today a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Be sure to visit both old and new, and shop for duty-free bargains including the famous molas handwoven by the Cuna Indians of San Blas.

Brightly coloured houses, vibrant street life, a distinct buzz in the air – all are part of the experience when you visit the Schooner Market and watch merchants sell exotic fruit and fresh fish direct from tiny boats.

Explore the “Venice of America”, with its lacework of over 165 miles of canals and yachts as huge as the mansions they're moored at. Stroll along the tree-lined Las Olas, and wander into its upscale boutiques and wonderful restaurants. Enjoy the shops and cafés of Riverwalk, close to the Arts and Science District.