At a first glance, the town of Gramado looks as though it should be on a postcard from somewhere in Western Europe. With chocolatiers at every turn, the smell of fondue wafting in the air, and Bavarian-style houses dotting the streets, it might be hard to believe you’re in South America. That's part of what makes this town so striking, along with the warm Brazilian hospitality and guacho (cowboy) culture. It’s a unique blend of elements you just won’t find anywhere else.

Peru is home to countless natural and man-made wonders. While the crowds usually head to the Amazon Basin towards Machu Picchu, there's another marvel in the south where time stands still: Lake Titicaca. Standing 12,500 feet above sea level, this body of water is the largest freshwater lake on the continent and the highest navigable lake on the planet. Even more fascinating, there's an indigenous group who has lived there on man-made islands for hundreds of years. This stroke of genius emerged back in the 1400s, when tensions mounted in the nearby Incan empire. In response, the Uros fled their villages on land and constructed artificial islands made of reeds to live on the lake in peace. Today, there are 120 floating islands for an idyllic lakeside getaway.