We’ll explore a different destination for each Book Club, and a lucky Silver Travel Book Club reader can win a free copy of that month’s book.
As scenes of South America fill our screens thanks to the new series of Celebrity Race Across the World, this month’s Silver Travel Book Club takes inspiration and joins Alistair and Fran McGuiness as they embark on a thrilling adventure.
After losing his job, Alistair took a leap of faith and set off with his wife Fran into the wilds of South America. Their journey is filled with excitement and discovery, from rafting down the Amazon and teaching English in the jungle to climbing towering volcanoes and enduring a hair-raising taxi ride across the Andes—with a pig for a passenger!
As they venture off the beaten path, Alistair and Fran uncover hidden Inca ruins, explore vibrant markets, and visit remote mountain villages where they are welcomed by warm-hearted locals offering food and shelter.
If you love fun-filled travel stories that spark the imagination, Postcards from South America will inspire you to grab a map, pack your bags, and embark on the adventure you’ve always dreamed about!
Discover South America for yourself
Inspired to explore the wonders of South America? Get in touch with us to begin planning your own unforgettable journey! Whether you’re dreaming of rafting down the Amazon, trekking through the Andes, or discovering hidden Inca ruins, we’re here to help you make it happen.
Explore our top suggested South American itineraries, each carefully curated to showcase the best this incredible continent has to offer. Whether you’re looking for adventure, cultural experiences, or breathtaking landscapes, our itineraries will guide you to the heart of South America.
Let’s start crafting your South American adventure today!
Ultimate South America Tour
Embark on the journey of a lifetime with this Ultimate South America tour, an immersive 23-day adventure across the continent’s most iconic destinations. From the majestic peaks of the Andes to the vibrant rhythms of Rio de Janeiro, this tour offers a perfect blend of natural wonders, rich cultural heritage, and thrilling experiences. Discover the mysteries of Machu Picchu, the breathtaking beauty of Iguazu Falls, and the unique wildlife of the Galápagos Islands, all while enjoying expert guidance and exceptional service throughout your journey.
Grand Tour of South America
Experience the rich tapestry of South America on this epic 25-day Grand Tour, designed for those seeking a deeper connection with the continent’s diverse cultures and breathtaking landscapes. From the ancient mysteries of Machu Picchu to the thundering majesty of Iguazu Falls, every destination offers a new perspective on South America’s wonders. Travel through vibrant cities like Buenos Aires and Rio de Janeiro and immerse yourself in the unique traditions and stunning scenery that make this region so extraordinary. With expert guides and a thoughtfully planned itinerary, this journey promises an unparalleled adventure.
Comprehensive South America Adventure
Uncover the wonders of South America on this expansive journey, meticulously crafted for those with a thirst for adventure and cultural exploration. Over the course of this tour, you’ll traverse the continent’s most captivating regions, from the heights of the Andes to the lush Amazon rainforest. Witness the timeless allure of Machu Picchu, feel the spray of the awe-inspiring Iguazu Falls, and delve into the vibrant life of cities like Lima and Buenos Aires. With immersive experiences at every stop and the guidance of seasoned experts, this adventure offers a unique and profound exploration of South America’s diverse landscapes and cultures.
Solo Explorer’s South America Journey
Embark on a thrilling solo adventure through South America, where every moment is filled with discovery and excitement. This specially tailored journey takes you across the continent’s most captivating destinations, from the mystical ruins of Machu Picchu to the dramatic Iguazu Falls. Explore the lively streets of cities like Rio de Janeiro and Santiago and experience the rich cultures and stunning landscapes that make South America so unique. This tour offers the perfect blend of independence and camaraderie, ensuring an unforgettable experience as you uncover the continent’s many treasures.
To enquire about any of these itineraries or discuss other options call our team of Travel Advisors on 0800 412 5678 or enquire online.
How to win a copy of Postcards from South America: A Pig in a Taxi, Cotopaxi and Two Sticks of Dynamite
Comment below and tell us where you would travel to if you had the chance of a big adventure and why?
A winner will be chosen at random in early October 2024.
The competition closes on 30 September 2024.
Read more about all our Silver Travel Book Club reads.
36 Responses
I would love to go to Australia to meet my cousin Rose and her family. She lives in Wagga Wagga which is a 5 hour drive from Sydney or maybe a short plane ride. I found out about our long lost family about 10 years ago when someone in Australia researched our family tree. We have the same grandfather but he was sent to Australia in disgrace in 1911 along with his wife and 4 children. He was my grandmother’s brother in law and had taken advantage of her and she had 2 children by him. We will never know if she was willing or was raped but I understand that he was not a pleasant character! So my granny stayed in England and looked after 2 small children and he was more or less exiled! In spite of their difficult start in life my dad and aunt flourished and my granny was the loveliest lady. I have many fond memories of her and my aunt.
My sisters and I have met Rose in England and my younger sister has visited Wagga. One of my nephews has been out and subsequently settled there and married a local girl. So a trip to Australia would be wonderful but I am not sure I would like the long flight at my age!
A return trip to New Zealand to see Doubtful Sound again
I would love to see the Great Wall of China
I’d love to go to New Zealand. The scenery looks amazing.
just returned from Brazil and Argentina, would like to visit Columbia, thank you
Hawaii its my childhood dream hopefully becomes a reality
Thailand – my neice has travelled here for 6 months and told me so many facts about the culture and beautiful sights
Would love to see first hand
France. I would like to visit Plum Village and join a sangha with the buddhist monks.
As an animal lover, I would love to visit Giraffe Manor in Nairobi. The thought of eating breakfast as these majestic creatures swoop their elegant necks through the windows to join me would be a dream come true.
The galapagos!
The Galapagos / for the wildlife – and the magnificent uniqueness
A big adventure for me would be a rail journey through some of the places in Europe I’ve yet to visit – Gascony, the Basque Country and Navarre, then to Madrid, Valencia, the Camargue, Trieste, down to the Peloponnese, Northern Greece and then I think I’d better fly home from Thessaloniki. I’ve yet to research the routes though I’m working my way through the Bradt guides for these regions and dreaming about the food and drink I might sample along the way.
Easter Island – I’ve been wanting to go there after reading Thor Heyerdahl’s book Aku Aku in the late 50s!
I would love to visit St Kilda. I have a great deal of admiration for the people who lived on this remote archipelago, who climbed towering seastacks for gannets and their eggs, lived on fish, had sheep and cattle and what they could harvest from the land. No luxuries for them and when eventually there were only older people left, they had to leave the only home they had ever known. To me a powerful and moving story.
Rio de Janeiro, the statue of Christ our redeemer. We have always desired to see.
Safari in Botswana to be amongst nature at it’s best.
I would love to visit St Kilda. I have a great deal of admiration for the people who used to live in such a remote archipelago, climbed the towering seastacks for gannets and their eggs, living off whatever food they could harvest for themselves and eventually, when only the older people remained on the island, having to leave the only home they had ever known. For me, a powerful and moving story.
Manchu pichuo, our son and brother have visited and now we really want to go.
A journey on the Rockie mountain railway and ski trip would suit me and my wanderlust!
I have always wanted to go to south africa on a safari getting up as close to the wildlife as possible in their natural environment would be just wonderful
I’d love to visit Australia, New Zealand and South Africa. Was lucky enough to spend 6 weeks in French Guyana many years ago and loved it.
I’d travel to New Zealand as I’ve always wanted to go to see the beautiful scenery there.
Orkney Islands as so much to learn
I love travelling been many many places. But now coming up to 80yrs old the one place I havnt been is South Africa, so would.love to visit there.
I have always wanted to see New Zealand since I saw television programs about it as a child, slowly winning darling other-half round to the idea.
Some of the USA National Parks
I would love to visit as many game reserves in Africa as I could manage. We had an unforgettable trip to Kenya with a ballon flight over the Masai Mara, so more of the same would be for us.
There are so many places in the world offering the opportunity for excitement and learning. However I think we forget our own back door. I would love the chance to explore Scotland- the highlands (roads and trains) the cities, the lochs, and the islands. As well as the history, people and the foods
Having just had my daughter return from backpacking twice around South America as she fell in love with it, I would love to see some if not all. I think I would start with Bolivia and the amazing Salt Plains.
I would love to do tour of Patagonia across Chile and Argentina. It looks so amazingly beautiful that it is definitely on my bucket list!
Antarctica
South America is so much on our bucket list. It would be great to spend several weeks/months to see everything but that, unfortunately, would be too ambitious. But we’d settle for Macchu Pichu, major cities such as Buenos Aries and Rio and hopefully also get to the Galapagos Islands.
Would love to visit Peru, Machu Picchu in particular, also Patagonia
Would love to see the Rockies.
I would love to travel to Costa Rica as the wildlife is meant to be amazing, and they are apparently streets ahead on environmental issues and action
I’m lucky to already have had lots of big adventures to less well known, far flung destinations, but the places still on my list are Guyana, Suriname and French Guiana which were difficult to visit when we did a three month trip to South America way back in 2011.