Buenos Aires to Dakar

Passionate, and alive with an infectious crackling energy, the Argentine capital is a breathlessly romantic city, which blends old-world colonial architecture with a down-to-earth Latin American clamour. Famed for steamy tango interplays, and expertly seared steak slabs, a visit to Buenos Aires is a fiery fiesta for the senses. Parque Tres de Febrero is a 400-hectare oasis where 18,000 rose bushes bloom, and skyscrapers give way to still lakes and pretty paths of rollerblading locals. Mighty palm trees - that look like exploding fireworks - stand tall in Plaza de Mayo, the heart of this sprawling cosmopolitan capital of 48 barrios. The square has served as the stage for many fundamental events in this country’s history, and the location where the seeds of independence were sewn continues to serve as the city’s gathering point - and is a place for solidarity, rebellion and revolution. The presidential Casa Rosada’s salmon-hued Palatial Palace borders the plaza, while nearby Museum Nacional de Bellas Artes houses the largest collection of public art in Latin America. Teatro Colón, the opulent 1908 opera house, is one of the world’s finest venues - musical performance here take on an ethereal quality, with the exceptional acoustics transferring every quiver of bow, and tremor of vocal cord, to the audience in spine-tingling clarity. The gargantuan, precipitous terraces of Bombonera Stadium form another of Buenos Aires’s incredible venues, and a wall of noise emanates from it when Boca Juniors take to the field. Juicy steak and punchy Malbec flow in the city’s parrillas – steakhouses - while glitzy bars and thumping nightclubs welcome revellers late into the night. It’s not just the meat that sizzles here either - tango dancers fill milongas - dance halls - to strut passionately until the early hours. Sip steaming mate, the country’s national drink, shop in covered markets, and explore Cementerio de la Recoleta - a city of grand graves and intricate memorials honouring presidents, politicians and notable Argentine heroes from history.

Uruguay’s capital city hugs the eastern bank of the Río de la Plata. A massive coastal promenade (malecón) that passes fine beaches, restaurants, and numerous parks recalls the sunny sophistications of the Mediterranean and is always dotted with Montevideans strolling, exercising, and lounging along the water. Montevideo has its share of glitzy shopping avenues and modern office buildings, balanced with its historic old city and sumptuous colonial architecture, as well as numerous leafy plazas and parks. It is hard not to draw comparisons to its sister city Buenos Aires across the river, and indeed Montevideo strikes many as a calmer, more manageable incarnation of Argentina's capital.When the weather's good, La Rambla, a 22-km (14-mile) waterfront avenue that links the Old City with the eastern suburbs and changes names about a dozen times, gets packed with fishermen, ice-cream vendors, and joggers. Around sunset, volleyball and soccer games wind down as couples begin to appear for evening strolls. Polls consistently rate Montevideo as having the highest quality of life of any city in Latin America. After one visit here, especially on a lovely summer evening, you probably will agree.

The fingertips of a showstopping sculpture, emerging from Punta Del Este’s golden sands, is the perfect example of this chic beach city's creative outlook. Stunning stretches of shining sands line the peninsula’s coast, attracting the great and glamourous from across Uruguay and Argentina. Drawn to the beautiful beaches of this seaside city, the well-heeled visitors are joined by a flotilla of yachts, which park up for summer in the ‘Monaco of the South’ - the continent’s city to see and be seen. One of Punda del Este's main beaches, Playa Mansa, enjoys calms seas and a sun-soaked location - overlooked by a soaring lighthouse, which is orbited by gliding sea birds. The sand is soft and inviting, so lie back to soak up the intense sun, before views of Gorriti Island just offshore. On the other side is Playa Brava, where the city’s signature artwork, ‘The Hand’ - one of many quirky sculptures that litter the streets - grasps at the sky. Relax your way – whether that’s cracking golf balls along coastal courses, cycling beside washing waves, or swimming in tempting waters. Bustling nightlife, art galleries, and museums give Punta del Este an artsy, eclectic atmosphere. Close to the port, you can discover fancy restaurants, serving up stacks of fresh seafood – and enjoy opulent meals while relishing golden views down over the port, where lavish yachts and modest fishing boats mingle. Head down to the harbour to see fishermen selling freshly caught produce and sea lions gathering to feast on the scraps.

This beautifully preserved colonial town waits in a lush national park surrounded by mountains idyllic islands and glorious beaches. The pedestrianised town is a gorgeous whitewash canvas splashed with bold blocks of primary colours which shine above cobbled streets strung with pretty floral displays. Now a UNESCO World Heritage Site the 18th-century gold trade attracted the Portuguese colonisers who left an enduring colourful imprint. Gold was stripped from the nearby Minas Gerais and brought to Paraty’s port before being shipped away to Europe. Astonishingly well preserved the town is now an artisan hub and workshops open their doors wide to showcase artisans crafting everything from ceramics to hand-woven baskets and paintings. Local chefs also cook up flavourful feasts in the town’s kitchens with the tempting smells spilling out as you explore. Stunning waterfalls gush within the thick forestry of Serra da Bocaina National Park where endangered jaguars and woolly spider monkeys roam. Cling on for dear life as your jeep rolls through trails seeking out rolling waterfalls and river bathing pools. Back in the city toast your exploits with a perfect caipirinha cocktail created using local ingredients like the area’s sugarcane. Slow the pace further with a trip to the golden sands of Vermelha Beach. Nestled into a verdant natural setting the heavenly cove is the perfect place to swim or enjoy stacks of fried shrimps.

Lie back on the golden sands to soak up the extraordinary setting - or watch on as muscled cariocas - locals - perform effortless athletic feats, during casual volleyball matches. A trip up to Rio de Janeiro’s iconic art-deco statue of Christ the Redeemer is, of course, a must do - offering an extraordinary view of the city rolling out before your eyes. You’ll also want to take a cable car to swing by the top of Sugarloaf Mountain, which juts sharply into the sky from nowhere. Brazil’s second largest city moves to an infectious samba beat, and the famous thumping Carnival floods colour and floats down its streets each year. Of course, Rio is also a city of sharp cultural contrasts – offering fun in the sun for some, while life goes on very much as it always has for others. Take a guided tour, led by a resident, to see the conditions inside these complex tapestries of colour and chaos first-hand. Tijuca National Park, offers easy-to-access tranquillity, immersing you in dense forestry and whopping birdsong. Later, watch the fiery shades of sunset spread across the sky in the city’s oh so famous evening light show. With so much to offer, you’ll quickly learn how Rio earned its other name ‘Cidade Maravilhosa’ – The Marvellous City.

Natal has been growing by leaps and bounds over the past decade. The capital of Rio Grande do Norte has become an important industrial center yet no industry has had more effect on the economy than tourism. The past few administrations have invested heavily in the infrastructure and promotion effectively placing it on the map as one of the prime tourism destinations for Brazilians traveling within Brazil.Although it has little in the way of historical or cultural attractions the city's main asset is its location along one of the most beautiful stretches of coast in Brazil. In fact Natal's foundation and much of its history have been all about location. In 1598 the Portuguese began construction of the Fortaleza dos Reis Magos in present-day Natal. Its location was strategic for two reasons. First it was at the mouth of the Rio Potengi. Second it was near the easternmost point of the continent and therefore was closest to Europe and Africa. On December 25 1599 the city was founded and named Natal Portuguese for "Christmas."While bustling Ponta Negra and the sprawling nearby holiday resorts may conjure up the less charming side of summer destinations in Southern Europe the towns and beaches that lie to the north and south of the city are distinctly Brazilian.

Capital of Senegal and a major gateway to Western Africa the former colonial trading post of Dakar stamps the Cap-Vert peninsular with glorious surf-fringed beaches. Enjoy the thrum of markets - where colourful textiles are exchanged - and wander streets where jazz sambar and mbalax spill from every ajar door. Offering tropical island-style beaches in an incongruous urban setting Dakar is a wild and urgent experience for the senses. Scuba divers can explore worlds below the surface in Dakar's diving areas or you can head to sandy beaches like Plage des Mamelles' cove which provide endless options for cooling off. Looking for a little more activity loosen up and play on golf courses that unroll along the sun-kissed Senegalese coastline or visit startling natural sites like the vivid pink water of the salty pink Lake Retba. Cultural relevance abounds in Dakar - those wanting to delve a little deeper into the dark history of Senegal should visit the House of Slaves on the UNESCO World Heritage Site listed Goree Island or duck into the Theodore Monod Museum to pour over an incredible collection of masks artefacts and treasures. Sandaga Market is a full-on experience of choreographed chaos sound and flavours. Tear into fish fresh off the boat and don't be afraid to get your hands a little greasy while handling Dibi - the national street food - soft mutton simmered with onions and zesty orange spice.