South & Central America

In the 16th Century, the legend of the lost city of El Dorado in present-day Guyana proved a potent lure for many famous explorers from throughout Europe including Sir Walter Raleigh, who was determined to find this fabled city of gold in order to ingratiate himself with Queen Elizabeth I. As it turned out he failed in his mission as did many of the great conquistadors of the day, but this pursuit of gold left a rich cultural history in Guyana and throughout the region.

Guyana is more renowned these days for the stunning scenery ranging from huge waterfalls and open grassy plains to thick rainforest and jagged mountains. And within this vast array of habitats live a spectacular variety of flora and fauna and the country can rightly boast of being the 'Place of Giants' being home to a long list of creatures including the Jaguar, the Giant River Otter, Harpy Eagle, Giant Anteater and Arapaima, all of which are the largest of its kind in the region or the world.

This is a truly spectacular and friendly country, which is well-off the traditional tourist route and offers the intrepid traveller a feast of natural history and cultural delights.