Paraguay

Travellers and holidaymakers seeking a vacation with a difference will find that Paraguay entirely fits the bill. This landlocked country is the perfect destination for birdwatchers and explorers who are keen to discover more about indigenous cultures. Some major Paraguayan attractions that should not be missed include the wilderness region and flamingo lakes of Chaco in the west and the marshes and rainforests located in the south-east of the country. If you’re lucky, you may catch a glimpse of one of the native pumas of the region, but you’re sure to be astounded by the country’s vibrant birds and acrobatic monkey and lemur populations.

Paraguay was one of the first South American countries colonised by the Europeans and its capital Asunción was founded in the year 1537. Some of the important structures worth a visit include two Jesuit missions, both listed by UNESCO, and the handful of colonial buildings located around the Plaza de los Heroes in Asuncion. If you do explore the country, you’re likely to come across further colonial ruins on your travels. One main drawback of any visit to Paraguay is that there are no direct transatlantic flights into Asuncion, meaning you’ll have to hop on to a connecting flight at some point.