Central & South America....
.....where wild frontiers meet refined indulgence: first-light access to Machu Picchu with a specialist guide, Patagonian glacier picnics from a private estancia, and Atacama stargazing beside your desert lodge. You move by small plane, helicopter, luxury train, and expedition cruises, turning rainforests, deserts, and wine country into a smooth, curated trip. Private naturalists lead Galápagos landings, biologist-guided Amazon canoe safaris, and cloud-forest birding, while conservation fees directly support the habitats you explore. Sleep in top-of-the-trees jungle lodges, colonial haciendas with courtyards, vineyard suites in Mendoza, and beachfront casitas where the waves set the tempo. At the table, think ceviche classes with a Lima chef, open-fire asado under southern stars, bean-to-bar cacao tastings, and mezcal or rum pairings chosen by the maker. Come for the color and cadence, stay for the rare access, seamless logistics, and hospitality that makes each border feel like a new chapter written just for you.
Antartica
Highlights: Zodiac ice cruising, Penguin encounters, Polar plunge, Sea kayaking, Ice camping
When: November–March, December–February
Transport: Luxury expedition ship, Icebreaker yacht, Fly-in cruise, Helicopter ops
Combine With: Chile, Argentina, South Georgia, Falklands
Must Try: Glacier ice cocktail, Hot buttered rum, King crab, Mulled wine
Alicia's Top 2 Hotels: White Desert Whichaway Camp, Le Commandant Charcot
Argentina
Highlights: Tango milonga, Gaucho horseback, Asado masterclass, Malbec blending, Mate ritual
When: September–November, March–May
Transport: Private driver, Charter flight, Helicopter hop, Luxury 4x4
Combine With: Chile, Uruguay, Brazil, Antarctica
Must Try: Asado, Empanadas, Dulce de leche, Yerba mate, Malbec
Alicia's Top 2 Hotels: Awasi Iguazú, Palacio Duhau
Belize
Highlights: Cave tubing, Garifuna drumming, Whale shark snorkel, Jaguar night drive, Maya chocolate making
When: December–April, May–June
Transport: Private driver, Charter plane, Helicopter transfer, Private catamaran
Combine With: Guatemala, Riviera Maya, Roatán, Costa Rica
Must Try: Fry jacks, Stew chicken, Hudut, Seaweed shake, Belikin beer
Alicia's Top 2 Hotels: Cayo Espanto, Blancaneaux Lodge
Brazil
Highlights: Samba parade, Capoeira roda, Pantanal jaguars, Amazon canopy walk, Lençóis lagoons
When: May–October, December–March
Transport: Private jet, Helicopter hop, Amazon yacht, Chauffeured SUV
Combine With: Argentina, Uruguay, Chile, Peru
Must Try: Feijoada, Moqueca, Pão de queijo, Açaí bowl, Caipirinha
Alicia's Top 2 Hotels: Belmond Copacabana Palace, Caiman Ecological Refuge
Chile
Highlights: Desert stargazing, Glacier trekking, Puma tracking, Geysers at dawn, Carmenère blending
When: October–April, March–May
Transport: Charter flight, Helicopter transfer, Expedition yacht, Private 4x4
Combine With: Argentina, Bolivia, Peru, Antarctica
Must Try: Pastel de choclo, Curanto, Machas a la parmesana, Carmenère, Pisco sour
Alicia's Top 2 Hotels: Awasi Patagonia, The Singular Patagonia
Columbia
Highlights: Salsa social, Coffee cupping, Tejo tossing, Emerald cutting, Fruit-market tasting
When: December–March, July–August
Transport: Private driver, Charter flight, Helicopter hop, Yacht charter
Combine With: Panama, Ecuador, Peru, Costa Rica
Must Try: Arepas, Ajiaco, Bandeja paisa, Lulada, Aguardiente
Alicia's Top 2 Hotels: Casa San Agustin, Four Seasons Casa Medina Bogotá
Costa Rica
Highlights: Canopy zipline, Sloth tracking, Cloud-forest bridges, Whitewater rafting, Turtle nesting
When: December–April, May–June
Transport: Private driver, Helicopter transfer, Charter flight, Private catamaran
Combine With: Panama, Nicaragua, Belize, Guatemala
Must Try: Gallo pinto, Casado, Ceviche tico, Guaro sour, Chorreador coffee
Alicia's Top 2 Hotels: Nayara Tented Camp, Hacienda AltaGracia
Ecuador
Highlights: Amazon jungle walk, Blue-footed booby watch, Panama hat weaving, Cacao bean-to-bar, Shamanic limpia
When: June–September, December–May
Transport: Private driver, Charter flight, Expedition yacht, Light aircraft
Combine With: Peru, Colombia, Panama, Galápagos
Must Try: Ceviche ecuatoriano, Encebollado, Llapingachos, Locro de papa, Canelazo
Alicia's Top 2 Hotels: Mashpi Lodge, Casa Gangotena
Galapagos Islands
Highlights: Sea-lion snorkel, Giant tortoises, Marine iguanas, Equatorial penguins, Lava-field hikes
When: December–May, June–November
Transport: Expedition yacht, Luxury catamaran, Light aircraft, Private guide
Combine With: Quito, Mashpi Reserve, Otavalo, Peru
Must Try: Ceviche ecuatoriano, Encebollado, Canchalagua, Spiny lobster, Canelazo
Alicia's Top 2 Hotels: Pikaia Lodge, Galápagos Safari Camp
Panama
Highlights: Canal lock transit, Guna Yala sailing, Emberá canoe visit, Geisha coffee tasting, Cloud-forest birding
When: December–April, September–October
Transport: Private driver, Helicopter transfer, Charter flight, Canal yacht
Combine With: Costa Rica, Colombia, Belize, Ecuador
Must Try: Geisha coffee, Sancocho, Ceviche, Carimañolas, Seco Herrerano
Alicia's Top 2 Hotels: Islas Secas, Sofitel Legend Casco Viejo
Peru
Highlights: Pachamama offering, Coca leaf reading, Geoglyph overflight, Amazon skiff safari, Peruvian Paso show
When: May–September, April, October
Transport: Luxury train, Charter flight, Private driver, Amazon Luxe Riverboat
Combine With: Bolivia, Ecuador, Chile, Galápagos
Must Try: Ceviche, Lomo saltado, Aji de gallina, Anticuchos, Pisco sour
Alicia's Top 2 Hotels: Titilaka, Explora Valle Sagrado