Ecuador

With high-reaching Andean peaks, more than 30 volcanoes, dense tropical rainforests, and sandy Pacific beaches, one of South America’s smallest countries packs perhaps its widest diversity of landscapes and natural wonders. As such, it is also home to astounding biodiversity, boasting thousands of varieties of orchid, as well as more bird species per square mile than anywhere else on the continent – all this without even counting the wonders of the Galapagos Islands. Ecuadorian cities like Quito or Cuenca are also home to some of the most beautiful and best-preserved historic centres in South America, dominated by fabulous colonial buildings in a range of pastels; the palm-fringed beaches on the country’s Pacific coast call out to surfers and beach-bums alike.