Bolivia

Flying into La Paz sets the tone for one of the greatest adventures South America has to offer. The world's highest capital, this colourful, cultural city clutters the floor of a canyon around 3600m above sea level. Not only is the air so thin that only fun-sized planes can make the landing at its airport, but travellers can often experience giddiness when they first arrive.

The inaccessibility of this landlocked country - surrounded only by jagged mountains and thick jungle - has kept tourist numbers low, the country unspoilt, and the local traditions intact.

Once you've taken in the markets, museums, temples and atmosphere of the capital, hit the road to Copacabana, less than two hours' drive away. This is the main town on vast, island-speckled Lake Titicaca, which stretches into Peru and is revered as the birthplace of the Inca Empire.

Not far to the south, you'll find Bolivia's most significant archaeological site, Tiahuanaco, once the centre of a pre-Incan empire. Other fascinating destinations - worth the organ-juggling journeys on Bolivia's notoriously bad roads - are the historic centres of Potosí and Sucre, as well as countless natural gems for the adventurous, such as the remote red and green lakes, Laguna Colorada and Laguna Verde.

With its incredible beauty and culture, Bolivia would merit a visit even if fast food outlets and tour buses lurked around every corner. But in its current pristine condition - and rich Inca heritage and centuries-old traditions still very much in evidence - it's one of the best-kept destination secrets on the map. Go, but go quietly.