Arrive in the vast metropolis of the Peruvian capital, Lima, and move on to historic Cusco, the former Inca capital and a treasure trove of meticulous Inca stonework and graceful colonial architecture. Journey onwards into the fertile Sacred Valley of the Incas and travel by rail alongside a tempestuous river through a narrow gorge leading to the Inca citadel of Machu Picchu, set on a sub tropical mountain saddle above the Urubamba Valley.

Fly across the continent to Rio de Janeiro in Brazil, where you’ll immediately notice a different culture and pace of life. You have a couple of days in this exciting outdoor city, including an adventurous jeep tour climbing through rainforest to the peak of Corcovado mountain and the famous statue of Christ. You move on up the coast to Buzios, a charming, low-key but chic beach resort.