Red is for the sultry details of tango in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Red is for… the Argentine tango
There is no image that comes clearer to mind upon thought of an Argentina trip than the tango. The energetic but sultry dance was born and fostered in the fringe communities of the country’s magnificent capital, Buenos Aires, and its artistic influence has since spread across the world through all social levels. The moves are fast paced and the dancers’ attitudes are evocative, enchanting every audience member with the dance’s brash sensuality. Whether you choose to experience the heart of tango along La Boca, Buenos Aires’s old port, or in an unmarked milonga venue, you won’t soon forget the blurred whirl of the female’s classic red dress, shoes, and lipstick detail as she plays with her partner on the dance floor.

Orange is for the sweet sun setting on the landscape of the Atacama Desert in Chile.

Orange is for… sunset in the Atacama Desert of Chile
If there was ever a place to test your feeling of mortality, it would be the Atacama Desert of northern Chile. This is the driest place on earth with absolutely no record of any rain since recordkeeping began more than 500 years ago. Standing in the middle of this vast desert composed of salt basins, sand, and the occasional hardy vegetation, you’ll want to clutch your water bottle tightly with newfound appreciation for every drop. This otherworldly landscape includes the dramatic Moon Valley and its stunning natural formations that champion out of the barren land around it. At sunset, however, you will forget for a moment the desert’s forsaking circumstance as the orange of the sky enhances every pore of the rocky surface, seeming as if existence itself is going to sleep for the night.

Yellow is for the glorious rays of the Costa Rican sun that blesses the entire country.

Yellow is for… the brilliant sunrays of Costa Rica
The sun defines Costa Rica. Without it, the paradise of tropical beaches would lose their essence, the mist of the jungles would linger less mystifyingly, and the massive volcanoes dotting the land would have less aesthetic faces to show throughout the passage of a day. Thankfully, the brilliant yellow rays persist, helping to showcase the country in all its glory. Whether you wish to kayak in one of Costa Rica’s many rapids, trek the impressive Arenal Volcano, party up in the capital of San José, or discover the unique microclimate of the Monteverde Cloud Forest, the feel and illumination of the sun and its cycles will mark your Costa Rica holiday memories.

Green is for the lush natural wonders of the Pantanal wetlands in Brazil.

Green is for… the Pantanal wetlands of Brazil
A more obvious green point would be the Amazon Rainforest that covers most of South America, but the less frequented freshwater Brazilian Pantanal has well earned its reputation as well. Located in the southwestern state of Mato Grosso do Sol, the large reserve continues to spread into Bolivia and Paraguay as well. The wetland foliage’s gradient of green hues is beautiful to behold, and a boat excursion as part of your Brazil vacation package will take you on the crisp waters for an even more intimate exploration of the Pantanal. Delight in the exotic animals that hide in the verdant foliage and perhaps even spot a jaguar!

Blue is for the stark ripples and reflections of Lake Titicaca in Peru.

Blue is for… the waters of Lake Titicaca in Peru
Lake Titicaca, the highest navigatable lake in the world, can be approached from the Bolivian side as well, but the Puno gateway in Peru remains the more popular access point. From Puno, meander along the waterside, or take a boat tour to one of the reed islands such as Amantaní and Taquile where some traditional families still call home. A most spectacular time to see the lake is during the afternoon barrage of sunlight when the blues of the serene ripples shine brightest.

Purple is for the deep but light chicha morada juice so ubiquitously found throughout Lima, Peru.

Purple is for… chicha morada in Lima, Peru
Lima was once the capital of the Spanish empire in South America and it continues to stand today as a living reminder of colonial history as well as catalyst of contemporary culture. One new reputation the Peruvian metropolis has enjoyed is its status as the gastronomic capital of the Americas. From intimidating platters of ceviche (the national dish of raw seafood marinated in lime juice and spices) to the succulent sandwiches found streetside, dining in Lima is nothing short of an adventure in and of itself. In the end, wash it all down with a chilled glass of dark purple chicha morada, a non-alcoholic corn drink that dates to eras predating even the legendary Inca Empire. Cheers!

Black is for the rich, sleek skin of the sea lions that call the Galapagos Islands of Ecuador their home.

Black is for… the smooth skin of the Galapagos sea lions of Ecuador
To spice up your Ecuador travel plans, fly out to the Galapagos Islands to feel as if you’re an explorer of the old days. As you embark on your Galapagos cruise, admire the vast diversity of wildlife that populate this remote archipelagos, which includes but by no means is limited to its iconic sea lions, ancient sea turtles, marine iguanas, lava lizards, penguins, various colored boobies, and creatures deep underwater such as sharks, rays, dolphins, eels, and more. Finally, of course, you will be able to watch the local finches flit back and forth, the very birds who helped to inspire Charles Darwin and the development of his theory of evolution.

White is for the pristine emptiness of the vast Salar de Uyuni salt lake of Bolivia.

White is for… the Uyuni salt flat in Bolivia
Within Bolivia’s quieter personality lies the conspicuous Salar de Uyuni salt flat, a must-see destination for any Bolivia tour or South America trip. It is the largest of its kind on earth, and the panoramas here will be unlike anything you have ever seen before. A driving expedition will take you into the core of the 4,085-square-mile salt lake where the visage of this alien landscape seemingly extends endlessly into infinity. After a rain, Uyuni becomes the grandest natural mirror in existence when the reflected sky fuses seamlessly with the horizon and the terrain. If you are lucky and come in the right season on your Bolivia vacation, you might even get to see the local flamingoes that breed in this surreal plain.

In 2009, Nellie and her husband backpacked around Latin America with only the wind to their backs. They spent approximately 4 months traveling in South America, from Buenos Aires, Argentina, all the way to Ecuador before crossing over to Central America, during which Nellie absolutely fell in love with everything nature had to offer south of the equator.

Here’s what she had to tell us about how the unparalleled charisma of South America helped her discover nature’s consistent ability to surprise and delight even the hardiest city girl.

With such chose proximity between towns and nature like in Baño in Ecuador, South America is truly a beauty lover's heaven.

1. You have traveled extensively around the world. What are some things that differentiated your travel experiences in South America from your visits to other countries or continents?
The main element that differentiates my travels in South America to other places I visited is its raw wilderness. There might be places like Australia or Madagascar that offer such unspoiled nature, but in South America, you feel an extreme immensity of such wilderness. Mountains and fields run for miles without a single human or construction in sight. Here, you feel like a tiny being in a large, massive world.

2. Did you spend any time staying put and living in any South American location?
As I wanted to explore as much as I could of South America, I didn’t really spend too much time living in each location. I did, however, take a guidebook writing course in Antigua, Guatemala, and was selected to work on the guidebook, so I spent a few weeks there researching and working on it after the course.

3. You seem to enjoy photographing nature. What is one top South American destination you would suggest to a traveler who wants to see unbelievable natural beauty?
True, I’m a big fan of nature and wildlife—they are the elements I look for when I travel. Growing up in a big city, I’d always been used to lifeless concrete and urban rushes. When I started exploring the world, I fell in love with the bounty of nature in the world and since then, I’ve always been attracted to places that offer plenty of natural landscapes. For travelers seeking raw, untouched natural beauty, the South American destination I’d recommend would be Bolivia. Its massive and sparse areas of unexplored terrain are mind-blowing even to the most hardened travelers. A jeep tour through the Andean Nature Reserve to the Salar de Uyuni brings you close to spectacular mountainscapes and out-of-this-world lagoons and plains. I’ve never seen anything like that elsewhere—Bolivia truly is one of a kind.

The salt lake of Uyuni is the largest in the world and one of the most impressive natural wonders to be experienced in South America.

4. Of the countries you’ve been in South America—Peru, Ecuador, Bolivia, and Argentina—which would you return to first if given the chance, and why?
Ecuador. It’s a country that’s relatively small but packed with so much diversity. In Ecuador alone, you can surf on golden beaches, climb snow-peaked mountains, experience culture in quaint villages, and come face-to-face with unique wildlife. Personally, the Galapagos is my favorite place in the world—nowhere else offers such unique, endemic animals that are completely fearless of humans and are as equally curious about us as we are of them. I definitely want to return someday and hope to get the same touching experience with the wildlife as I did previously.

5. What tips do you have for someone who is anxious about traveling to an exotic country for the first time?
Don’t let your fear get in your way. It’s natural to be anxious, but once you’re there, you’ll find that there’s nothing to be afraid of, and if you have enough faith in yourself, you’ll know that you can do it.

Although he is as worldly and well-traveled as they come, the last time Gary spent time in South America was in 2005 during a trip to Argentina. It wasn’t until last week in early October that he returned to this bottom half of the western hemisphere for a quick bout in exploring Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands. Read more of what he had to say, now smarter with his global experiences, about his latest romp in South America.

The Galapagos Islands of Ecuador harbor some of the most diverse range of wildlife and endemic species than anywhere else on earth.

1. What were you most excited to see and experience in Ecuador, since this was your first time back in South America since your visit to Argentina in 2005? Any apprehensions?

Not really. If anything, having spent time this year in Spain, Puerto Rico, and Mexico, I am much more confident with my Spanish than I was back in 2005. I looked forward to the Galapagos Islands which are one of those places you always hear about. It met all my expectations and I was able to see almost all of the wildlife I was hoping to see.

2. How are some ways you prepared for your trip to Ecuador and the Galapagos?

I don’t really do anything special to prepare for trips. The only exception might be if there is extreme cold that I will have to deal with. Other than that, what I do for one country is similar to what I do for any other country.

3. Did you expect that traveling in South America will be different than in other parts of the world that you’ve been?

As a region, not really. The poorer parts of South America seem on a par with parts of South East Asia. The one thing which makes it easier to travel here is that you only have to really deal with 2 languages (5 if you include Suriname, Guyana, and French Guyana, I guess). I think South America is a much safer place than it was 20 years ago. Not many rebel groups anymore, no military juntas, and better infrastructure.

The colonial style of the Quito historic downtown makes it a classic and worthy stop on your Ecuador vacation.

4. You have many experiences in some of the more unconventional countries in the world. What tips do you have for those who are nervous or anxious about traveling to an exotic part of the world?

People are afraid of what they don’t know. If they think through it, they will realize that millions upon millions of people are living their lives every day in the very places they are afraid to go. There are thousands of tourists who go every year, and there really shouldn’t be anything to worry about if you keep your wits about you.

5. What are some things that short-term vacationers and travelers can do to ensure community-friendly and sustainable tourism?

Avoid any large brand names. If you stay in big hotels or resorts, the money is going to leave the country. If you stay in small hotels or guesthouses, the money stays with the people who run it. The same is true with restaurants. If you follow this advice, not only do you help the local economy more, you will also save a ton of money in the process.

The Islands, described as a “living museum and showcase of evolution” were famously explored by Charles Darwin, and have since become a world famous beacon for the magical diversity of natural life on planet earth.

Pristine beaches on the Galapagos Islands which have been recognised by UNESCO

The archipelago is famed for its rich collection of endemic species which evolved in total isolation from other creatures, making them a unique environment and immensely important to biological science, as well as fascinating to visitors who can explore the islands on Galapagos Island cruises or land-based island hopping tours.

However, the Islands were added to the Danger List in 2007 due to the risks to the pristine environment created by introduced species, unmanaged tourism and unsustainable fishing of the nearby seas.

However, a pioneering plan by the Ecuadorian government has successfully addressed each of these problems, allowing the development of a more sustainable model to tourism on the Islands.

Conservation projects include the successful reintroduction of a threatened species of tortoise, and efforts to limit the impact of human inhabitants, including 190,000 tourists each year. The human population had been responsible for various significant problems, including pollution, oil spills, the introduction of invasive species and even poaching of rare and endangered species.

The World Heritage Committee voted 15-4 to take the Islands off the Danger List, in a motion cast by the Brazilian delegation. The Danger List allows UNESCO sites to draw upon additional United Nations resources and places pressure on national governments to take action and protect sites of global natural, cultural or historical importance.

Other UNESCO sites in Latin America that have been removed from the Danger List thanks to proactive conservation management include Sangay National Park, also in Ecuador and Iguazu National Park in Brazil.

“We returned on Tuesday evening from our wonderful trip.  Thanks for all the help in planning it and all the decisions you helped us make.  The guides were wonderful, especially Rodrigo in Quito and Ronnie for the Sacred Valley.  Ronnie was really good, informative, great sense of humor and very knowledgeable.  Miguel in Lima was also good and very helpful!

“The boat, the Galapagos Legend was great, very well managed and organized and we were constantly in awe of what we saw and the experiences we had.

“Machu Picchu was so amazing, even with all the pictures we had seen, we were not prepared for the sheer wonder of it all.

Mr Bromberg's group enjoy the view at Machu Picchu, Peru

“Everything went like clockwork, all was very well planned and organized and great choices were made by you for us.  Everyone was lovely, kind and very helpful!

“In fact everyone we met was wonderful, eager to help, tell us about their country and make us feel at home.  It was a wonderful, once in a life time trip!”