1. Drink in Argentina How better to master Mendozan Malbecs than by staying in an intimate wine lodge such as Casa de Uco, nestled in the shadow of the Andes in the beautiful Uco Valley, backed by activities such as hiking and horse-riding in its 700-acre estate. Or there’s always the 16-room Entre Cielos, with its impressive vineyard loft suite, or the trailblazing Cavas Wine Lodge, whose legendary hospitality continues to wow visitors. casadeuco.com entrecielos.com cavaswinelodge.com
2. Rotors over Rio “A bird’s-eye view of this city will leave no doubt as to why Rio is dubbed the cidade maravilhosa, or marvellous city,” says Katie Cosstick, of Cox & Kings. “A helicopter flight shows Sugar Loaf and the statue of Christ the Redeemer, as well as giving a spectacular panorama of the beautiful bays, islands, mountains and tropical forests that make up the city.”
3. Lose yourself in Colombia Hiking to the fabled Ciudad Perdida, or Lost City, in Tayrona National Park has long been a backpacker classic but for those who like their creature comforts, Ecohabs Tayrona is a good option. With its eco-friendly thatched bungalows staggered up the lush, jungle-covered hill overlooking Cañaveral beach it’s a lovely spot to observe local wildlife. Plus there’s always the excellent food and the spa. ecohabsantamarta.com
4. Extra Chile Simon Heyes, founder of Senderos, recommends a stay at all three Tierra Hotels in Chile to fully experience the dramatically different landscapes within this long, thin country in style. “The adventure/spa philosophy at the Tierra hotels in Atacama, Chiloe and Patagonia results in some of the best combination of locations, outdoor activities, luxury accommodation and experiences,” he says. tierrahotels.com
5. Go green in Belize Late 2018 sees the opening of actor Leonardo DiCaprio’s hotly anticipated Blackadore Caye. Set on Caye Blackadore, off the country’s northeastern coast, the high-end eco-resort is being built to exacting sustainable standards, with one of its key aims being to reverse the island’s recent environmental decline. Can’t wait that long? Try the Itz’ana Resort, which opened in December 2017, or the dreamy Cayo Espanto. restorativeislands.com itzanabelize.com aprivateisland.com
6. Ranch Out Uruguay’s working ranches, or estancias, offer travellers an intimate experience in a stunning setting. Classic examples include Estancia Guardia del Monte. Set on a 2,500-acre estate within a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, the historic property offers just three guest rooms and guests are able to take part in the workings of the ranch. Combine an estancia stay with a break on the country’s unspoilt coast, beloved of the glitteratti, with operators such as Vik Retreats. vikretreats.com
