Highlights of Across the Southern Cone

Santiago

Chile's capital is a vast and busy city located underneath the Andes mountains. Its historic buildings of note include the Presidential Palace, the historic main square Plaza de Armas, the Cathedral, the monastery of San Francisco and the Palacio de la Real Audiencia, which houses the National History Museum. On a clear day, the views from Cerro San Cristobal in Parque Metropolitano are excellent - where the Andes peaks tower over the city. The bohemian Bellavista district is a popular spot with many restaurants, bars and nightclubs, as well as the unusual house of the Chilean poet and Nobel Prize winner Pablo Neruda.

Valparaíso

The historic port city of Valparaiso is Chile's cultural capital, as well as being the seat of the National Assembly and a major military base. Valparaiso reached the height of its prosperity in the 19th century but declined with the opening of the Panama Canal. Today it has a rough and faded charm but retains its romantic and atmospheric character and its cultural importance. The city is located in a natural amphitheatre setting with the bay encircled by a narrow coastal plain and a series of steep hills. Valparaiso is famous for its series of 19th century funicular elevators known as ascensors which link the steep hills with the downtown streets. The hillsides are dotted with numerous churches and colourfully painted houses and mansions, including 'La Sebastiana', the former house of the Chilean writer and Nobel Prize Winner, Pablo Neruda. The neighbourhoods of Cerro Concepcion and Cerro Alegre are some of Valparaiso's most charming areas, with wonderful architecture and great views of the hillsides and bay.

UNESCO World Heritage Site: Historic Quarter of the Seaport City of Valparaíso

Bariloche

Bariloche is located on the shores of Lake Nahuel Huapi and surrounded by the mountains, lakes and national parks of the Lake District. The landscape attracted many Swiss and German settlers, whose legacy is most notable in the huge number of chocolate factories and shops in the town. There are numerous hills near the town, which can be climbed on foot or chairlift, which offer spectacular views of the mountains and lakes of the area, in particular Cerro Campanario, 17km out of town. The national parks offer a range of outdoor activities, ranging from skiing (in season) to trekking, biking and kayaking while the town itself is a wonderful and picturesque spot to relax for a few days, with some great bars and restaurants.

Mendoza is one of Argentina's most popular cities for travellers, who are attracted to its laid back atmosphere, wide leafy avenues and lively cafe and bar-laden plazas. The Mendoza region produces 70% of the wine made in Argentina and it's a great place to tour some of the major wineries and do wine tasting, particularly of the Malbec grape unique to Argentina. The spectacular mountainous landscapes around Mendoza are also ideal for trekking and horse riding.

Cordoba is Argentina's second largest city and a university town with a strong colonial history, dating back to its founding in 1573. The Jesuit Block in Cordoba is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, comprising the university built around a central open space with a colonnaded courtyard, the huge domed church of the Society of Jesus with its richly decorated interior and the college. These buildings demonstrate the fusion of European and indigenous culture from this key period in Argentine history. The World Heritage Site also includes the Jesuit estancias of Jesus María and Santa Catalina outside the city. Cordoba's large student population (there are seven universities here) mean the city has a vibrant atmosphere and great nightlife. Just outside Cordoba lies Alta Gracia, where the young Ernesto Guevara lived - his former house has been converted into a museum focusing on his early life.

UNESCO World Heritage Site: Jesuit Block and Estancias of Córdoba

Salta

Salta is Argentina's colonial gem, a 16th century city with some magnificent historical buildings and set in a beautiful region that offers the chance to indulge in many activities. Salta's highlights include the 18th century Cabildo Historico (old town hall) and the 19th century cathedral, both on the main plaza, as well as the 16th century San Bernardo Convent and the gaudy facade of the Iglesia San Francisco with its huge spire. The cable car up to San Bernardo Hill affords superb views over the city and its surrounds. Salta also has a vibrant restaurant and bar scene, particularly in the Balcarce quarter. From Salta, many activities can be arranged in the surrounding area, including white-water rafting, abseiling, bungee jumping, paragliding and horse riding.

Buenos Aires

Buenos Aires is one of the great cities of South America - a vibrant, cosmopolitan and culturally fascinating metropolis. It has a strong European influence borne from large scale immigration from Spain, Italy and France and some excellent and grandiose 19th century architecture along its wide avenues. Buenos Aires has several distinctive neighbourhoods. San Telmo is the artists quarter with some great restaurants and bars and a wonderful Sunday market. The Italian barrio of La Boca is famous for its colourfully painted buildings, street tango shows and the passion and spectacle of the football games of the Boca Juniors team. Palermo and Recoleta are the fashionable districts, the latter famous for the grandiose tombs at La Recoleta Cemetery, resting place of Eva Peron. Back in the city centre, Plaza de Mayo is surrounded by important historical buildings including the presidential palace, site of the mass demonstrations in support of Peron in 1945. It is at night when Buenos Aires comes alive though, with the bars, tango shows and nightclubs keeping the city pulsating until the early hours.

Rio de Janeiro is one of the most beautiful and vibrant cities in the world. Known as the Cidade Maravilhosa (Marvellous City), its setting is almost unparalleled - crammed between stunning white beaches and soaring mountains with the peaks of Sugarloaf Mountain and the Corcovado guarding its bay. The 1,300-metre long cable car ride to the top of Sugarloaf Mountain gives you spectacular views across the city and Guanabara Bay, which are matched by those on Corcovado on top of which lies the magnificent statue of Christ the Redeemer, one of the new Seven Wonders of the World. Back in the city, Rio's famous beaches (Ipanema, Copacabana and Leblon) are filled with sun worshippers, the colonial part of the city has many historic buildings and museums and the picturesque barrio of Santa Teresa is known as 'The Montmartre of Rio'. Its at night when Rio really comes alive though, with the samba bars of Lapa and the bars and restaurants of Ipanema and Copacabana filled with live music, energy and people having fun. The whole city goes wild with parades and parties in the week leading up to the Mardi Gras Carnival every year in February. The contrast between the opulent downtown and the poverty in the hillside favelas can be seen on a tour of Rocinha (the largest in South America). Another must-see attraction is a football game at the world famous 95,000 seat Maracena Stadium to experience the unique Brazilian football atmosphere. For quiet time away from the city's bustle, the beautiful Botanical Gardens or tropical rainforest of Tijuca National Park provides a welcome break from the concrete jungle.

UNESCO World Heritage Site: Rio de Janeiro: Carioca Landscapes between the Mountain and the Sea