Yunnan

Yunnan has some of the most magical and diverse scenery in all of China. There are endless trekking opportunities in the south’s tropical rainforests, and in the north, snow-capped Tibetan peaks hide dozens of tiny villages and temples rarely visited by tourists. Even, Kunming, the provincial capital, has a flavour that seems more than half a world away from Beijing. Kunming, ‘Spring City, ’ has earned a reputation for being one of the more cosmopolitan and relaxed cities in the southwest. Yunnan is the sight of important archaeological discoveries, including sophisticated Bronze Age cultures around Dian Chi (Lake Dian) and the oldest human remains yet found in China. It’s hard to comprehend all that Yunnan has to offer until you get here.

Our Top Picks for Yunnan

1 Yuanyang and rice terraces
Watch the sun rise and set on the magnificent Yuányáng rice terraces
2 Lugu Hu
Escape the crowds and while away the days exploring low-key Lugu Hu
3 Xishuangbanna
Soak up the Southeast Asian atmosphere in tropical Xishuangbanna
4 Lijiang’s and old town
Get lost among the canals and cobbled lanes of Lijang’s old town
5 Tiger Leaping Gorge
Trek Tiger Leaping Gorge, a breathtaking hike amid dramatic cliffs and waterfalls

South America

South America... a mixture of African, Indian and European influences which have given it a very distinct flavor. It has a host of marvelous attractions, with most suitable for the whole family. You will find science, nature and history exhibits throughout the continent as well as a host of natural attractions, from volcanoes to cold glaciers and strange animals. It offers incredible pre-Columbian sights all along the Andes Mountains in Chile, Bolivia, Ecuador, Peru and Colombia. The best known of these are probably the Nazca Lines (Ica), Chan Chan (Trujillo) and Machu Picchu (Cuzco) in Peru and Ciudad Perdida in Colombia. Furthermore, there are lots of stylish colonial churches and palaces, there are also great beaches and a very good atmosphere to give you a change from your daily routine.

Those who are into the fast paced life of big cities have a number of cities to choose from. Sao Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Buenos Aires, Santiago or Lima all combine modern life with a South-American touch. In all of South America, native Indian languages are still spoken, but they become less frequently so. In countries like Paraguay and Bolivia the indiginous languages are (almost) dominant.
The Amazon River (Rio Amazonas) of South America is one of the longest two rivers on Earth. The Amazon has by far the greatest total flow of any river, carrying more than the Mississippi, Nile, and Yangtze rivers combined. The Amazon Rainforest in South America represents over half of the planet's remaining rainforests. This region is home to 2.5 million insect species, tens of thousands of plants, and some 2000 birds and mammals. The diversity of plant species is the highest on earth with some experts estimating that one square kilometer may contain over 75,000 types of trees and 150,000 species of higher plants. This constitutes the largest collection of living plants and animal species in the world.
South America is home to many interesting species of animals including parrots, tarantulas, snakes, and mammals. There are not many large predators in South America, but the Jaguar is one of the strongest predators in the world. There are three animals found mainly in South America that look very different from each other, but are closely related. These are the sloth, the anteater and the armadillo. One of the most famous animals that lives in the Amazon river is the piranha fish. They are known for their sharp teeth and an aggressive appetite for meat and flesh. The largest snake in the world, the Anaconda, lives in the rivers and dense forests of South America. Brightly colored poisonous frogs live inside the forests. The camel-like Llama is another important animal that lives in South America.
The world's highest free-falling waterfall Angel Falls is located in the wilderness of Venezuela. Another important waterfall is Iguacu Falls, which is taller than Niagara Falls. The water level rises and falls with the season, but the spectacular Devil's Throat with its high-flying plume of spray is always a thrill. The fact that the newly discovered Gocta Falls in Peru are the third largest in the world, says a lot about the exoticness of the continent.

Our Top Picks for South America:

1 Machu Picchu, Peru
Rugged treks to awe-inspiring ancient Inca ruins hidden in cloud forests

2 Galapagos Islands
Stunning volcanic islands teem with fearless animals, offering the wildlife experience of a lifetime

3 Amazon, Brazil
Steamy jungles packed with wildlife and lingering rivers set the stage for unforgettable adventure

4 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
The breathtaking city of samba and beach culture, with one of the world's wildest parties

5 Cartagena, Colombia
Architectural gem of the continent, a city graced with winding alleys and bougainvillea-strewn balconies

6 Kaieteur Falls, Guyana
One of the world's highest, single-drop falls, hidden deep in the Amazon

7 Parque Nacional Madidi, Bolivia
Massive Amazonian park with some of the greatest biodiversity of any of the earth's protected regions

8 Buenos Aires, Argentina
One of the continent's coolest cities boasts elegant buildings, colorful neighborhoods, excellent cuisine and gorgeous residents

9 San Pedro de Atacama, Chile
An oasis town offering splendid desert odyssey tours of salt mountains, moonscapes and geysers

10 Pantanal, Brazil
A wild region with one of the greatest densities of animal life on the continent

Bulgaria

Bulgaria’s main lure is its long, sandy Black Sea Coast – which still boasts swaths of stunning beaches and picturesque bays despite the expansive construction work – but there is so much more to this country, and so much of it remains largely untouched and unvisited by overseas tourists. Networks of well-maintained hiking trails and horse-riding routes allow you to discover Bulgaria’s lush mountainous and forested landscapes, especially around the Rila and Pirin Mountains, inhabited by bears, lynx, rare birds and other kinds of wildlife now becoming scarce elsewhere in Europe.

Getting around the country is easy, with cheap and efficient public transport to ferry you between the cities and into the remoter, rural corners, where the traditional, slow pace of life continues much as it has done for centuries. Here you’ll come across multicoloured monasteries, filled with fabulous icons and watched over by bushy-bearded priests, and impossibly pretty timber-framed villages with smoke curling lazily over the stone-tiled roofs and donkeys complaining in the distance, where headscarfed old ladies and their curious grandchildren still stare in wonderment at the arrival of outsiders. The cities, too, are often overlooked highlights, from dynamic, cosmopolitan Sofia with its lovely parks, sociable alfresco bars and fascinating museums, to the National Revival architectural treasures and Roman remains of Plovdiv, and the youthful maritime cockiness of Varna.

Our Top Picks for Bulgaria:

1 Sofia
Experience captivating museums, gorgeous churches and the country's best restaurants in Bulgaria's cosmopolitan, youthful capital

2 Rila Monastery
Bulgaria's largest and most revered monastery is renowned for its colourful frescoes

3 Plovdiv
Feast your eyes on the National Revival architecture and awesome Roman Amphitheatre in the old town

4 Koprivshtitsa
This beautifully preserved National Revival–era village is a revered monument to Bulgarian nationhood

5 Bansko
Bulgaria's premier skiing destination, trendsetting Bansko is increasingly popular with international party people

6 Kazanlak
Discover Bulgaria's Thracian heritage in this bustling town with its ancient tombs and memorable market

7 Varna
Bulgaria's cultivated maritime capital hosts fascinating museums, a lively urban beach scene and buzzing nightlife

8 Nesebar
The Black Sea coast's most photogenic town is packed with medieval churches and redolent with ancient history

9 Tryavna
Lovingly restored Tryavna delights with its cobblestone streets, National Revival-era homes and churches

10 Veliko Tarnovo
The medieval capital of the Bulgarian tsars entrances with its majestic fortress and dramatic views

11 Strandzha Nature Park
Lush forests, varied and abundant wildlife and mysterious archaeological ruins characterise this remote park

12 Pirin National Park
With stark, sweeping peaks and long valleys, the Pirin Mountains are a paradise for hikers

13 Bachkovo Monastery
Pilgrims and tourists alike are drawn to Bachkovo for its ethereal art and miracle-working icon of the Virgin

14 Belogradchik
This tiny mountain village boasts world-class weirdness with primordial stone formations protecting a Roman fort

15 Rusenski Lom Nature Park
Rugged scenery and sublime medieval monasteries carved from cliffs are highlights at this expansive reserve