It is not on most people’s radar as a holiday destination but you will fall in love with Venezuela, a Latin republic with a Caribbean beat and a strong indigenous presence. On this varied holiday you’ll start off with an adventurous canoe expedition to the foot of Angel Falls, the longest drop in the world, where the stream of water breaks down into a veil of misty spray. Then move on to the spidery network of waterways in the Orinoco delta where the indian Warao communities practice their simple lifestyle.   

Travel on to the country’s portion of jagged, snow-capped Andean mountains, where the upland plains shelter quaint Spanish colonial towns and offer active adventure sports. Finally descend to the extensive savannah grasslands and on to the marshy llanos where capybaras, caiman and anteaters jostle for space and the skies are full of parakeets, toucans and macaws. If you have time after all this exploration, we suggest you spend some time on Venezuela’s glorious Caribbean coastline, where there are laid back barefoot and family resorts, nature reserves and a sprinkling of coral islands with beaches of dazzling whiteness.