Rivaling Madrid or Paris for sophistication and culture, the tree-lined boulevards of fashionable Buenos Aires are home to superb restaurants, art galleries, museums, the magnificent Teatro de Colon and the brightly colored houses of La Boca barrio. As the sun sets, Recoleta awakens and the passionate melodies of the tango rise from the milangas along San Telmo's cobbled streets. Few cities in South America share the ambiance, lifestyle and amenities that make Buenos Aires so endearing.

The Falkland Islands, about 480 miles northeast of Cape Horn, are the most accessible sub-Antarctic islands. English navigator John Davis first confirmed sighting in 1592. Long disputed by Britain and Argentina, Argentina occupied the islands in April 1982, prompting a British counter-invasion that June. Stanley has the feel of a rural English village, with bright rooftops, red phone boxes, shops, and pubs; nearby is the Grave Cove penguin colony.

Here at the bottom of the world, mountains and sea come together like in no other place in America. Considered to be the world's southernmost city (though that is up for a heated debate), Ushuaia is the capital of the Argentine province of Tierra del Fuego. The town itself has an interesting museum and a variety of shops selling everything from souvenirs to duty-free luxury items.

Punta Arenas or 'Sandy Point,' is the most prominent settlement on the Strait of Magellan and the capital of Chile's Magallanes y la Antártica Chilena Region. Founded in 1848, Punta Arenas was originally a remote military garrison and penal colony. Today, it is the charming gateway for a number of exhilarating experiences viewing the awesome majesty of Torres del Paine with its soaring peaks and rugged beauty .

The first German colonists arrived to this area in 1852, and have remained to the present day, a small but influential percentage of the 130,000 inhabitants. The town spreads along a narrow seaboard and climbs the slopes enclosing it to the north. Since 1985, the city has experienced considerable growth and development, fueled by more than 30 salmon farms, in addition to forestry, fishing industries and service companies. A gateway to Chile's picturesque lakes and spectacular indigo mountains.

Santiago is an eclectic, artistic, energetic capital worth the drive across Chile's scenic Central Valley. With snow-capped Andes peaks in the distance, San Cristobal Hill offers sweeping views. The city's real flavor is on its lively streets, but don't miss La Moneda, Plaza de Armas, and the Metropolitan Cathedral. Visit the Chilean Museum of Pre-Columbian Art, and enjoy Santiago's excellent food-from takeout empanadas to creative fine dining.

Lima was founded in 1535 by Spanish conquistador Francisco Pizarro on the banks of the Rimac river that forms a splendid and strategically located valley. At 133 meters above sea level, Lima enjoys mild yet humid weather with almost little or no rain. The city of Lima is one of South America's largest, and is Peru's center of political, cultural and economic life. Lima is your gateway to the splendid ruins of Cuzco and Machu Picchu, the ancient city in the clouds.

Lima was founded in 1535 by Spanish conquistador Francisco Pizarro on the banks of the Rimac river that forms a splendid and strategically located valley. At 133 meters above sea level, Lima enjoys mild yet humid weather with almost little or no rain. The city of Lima is one of South America's largest, and is Peru's center of political, cultural and economic life. Lima is your gateway to the splendid ruins of Cuzco and Machu Picchu, the ancient city in the clouds.