Mendoza. Argentina (Photo: Nico Kaiser via Flickr)

Vast and untamed, much of what the world knows of Argentina emanates from the cities, with football and tango being cultural highlights. Yet from Iguazú Falls and the mid-Andes all the way down to Ushuaia and beyond, Argentina occupies a thick, mostly uninhabited wedge of the South American continent’s southern half. It is home to the loftiest Andean Peaks, including Aconcagua, the highest mountain outside of Asia. The glaciers of the south reach down to the Tierra del Fuego, and the last stop before Antarctica. Capital city Buenos Aires is one of the world’s great cultural epicentres. The city enjoys the fine architecture, food, theatre and nightlife that one would expect of such a place, all influenced by European cultures, particularly Spanish and Italian. Visit from November to March to experience the Argentine summer.