The Americas

Peru - Incan ruins and Machu Picchu

Every country has ruins, though few groups besides the Incans and Mayans can boast such a sophisticated legacy. Along trails of life-changing scenery, travel back centuries on remote corners and mysterious hill tops. While the ruins can be reached easily by bus, there’s something primordial about Machu Picchu at dawn. Various trails transport you just about as far from our modern, Tweeting, world as you can get.

Mexico - Mayan ruins

Mayan temples throughout Mexico and Central America date to 900 A.D. and earlier. Today, many are preserved as full cities and welcome both the intrepid and those fond of their creature comforts. It’s humbling to realize the Mayan’s collective mathematical savvy far exceeded our own, up until the invention of the calculator. Mexico’s Yucatan is home to 5 sites of note - many of them many making UNESCO’s World Heritage list. Uxmal, Tulum, Chichén Itzá, Coba and Kabah range from tourist hot-spots to lesser-known gems.

Brazil - Rio de Janeiro

The best in beach culture with the might of the world’s coolest party, Carnival, behind it. Life in Rio, well, it’s sweet. Check out famous Corcovado Peak and surrounding hills individually - or at once by helicopter tour. As the buzz builds towards the 2014 World Cup and 2016 Olympics, this rock star city will only get better.

Argentina - Buenos Aires

Parks and promenades make Buenos Aires a perfect city to explore on foot. It’s a well-known destination for gay travellers too, with plenty of gay-friendly services and great nightlife. For a break in city life, there’s Argentina’s version of Whistler in San Carlos de Bariloche. Wine, too, enters the mix in Mendoza - liquid courage to tango.

Costa Rica and Belize

With favorite beaches on both coasts and untouched rainforest in between, Costa Rica takes only a hop, skip and jump to enjoy in full. For your most authentic Caribbean dream, try Belize. At the forefront of eco-travel, you can see the best of blues and greens in both snorkel and jungle adventures. A relatively new travel industry means happy hosts and genuine smiles

Antarctica & Arctic - in brief!

When you’ve been there, done that, what’s next? Head north. Or very, very south. Visits to either Antarctica and the Arctic reward the gloved, scarfed traveller with sights and scenes few will ever see. Will you choose penguins or polar bears?

Also worth mentioning

Bliss awaits on Mexico’s Riviera Maya, where you won’t have to do much at all. Shopping, nightlife and jungle adventure sits behind you - should you take your eyes off the ocean view.

Indulge your Canadian passport with a direct flight from Toronto to Havana. A vibrant city strolling along at its own pace, you’ll never be more rewarded for a little exploration. Drink from the same spot as Hemingway, before seeking inspiration along the Malecón seawall.