Lively, exuberant Rio de Janeiro is an excellent choice for an active romantic escape. The city pulses with the throb of sensual samba rhythms, the beaches teem with life, the nightlife scene is searing hot and there's a palpable air of excitement in this vivacious city of seven million.

Perhaps nowhere on earth is the beach so crucial to a big city's culture as in Rio, with its two most popular strips having even been immortalized in song. Of the two, Copacabana is bigger and livelier, Ipanema a bit more upscale and relaxed. For even greater Žlan, try Leblon just to their west.

Puerto Vallarta has the ideal setting for a luscious romantic escape. Banderas Bay, the site of Elizabeth Taylor's and Richard Burton's big romance, offers fabulous beaches, some of the country's best restaurants, proximity to Old Mexico and boat rides to the charming fishing village of Boca de Tomatlan.

On the second-largest natural bay on the continent, Puerto Vallarta has miles and miles of world-class beaches. The coastline is dotted with quiet coves and spectacular islands, and the water caters to all sorts of beach activities, from sunbathing to snorkelling to windsurfing.

All the right ingredients for a fabulous family getaway are on offer in, Puerto Vallarta; wonderful weather, beautiful beaches, great resorts and welcoming people. Perched between the ocean and the jungle, PV offers all the sports and activities of a perfect Pacific playground.

Buenos Aires' European heritage is evident in its architecture, boulevards and parks. Recoleta Cemetery is the final resting place of many of the city's tycoons and presidents, as well as still-beloved first lady Eva Peron. Cafe Tortoni, the city's oldest bar, will transport you back to 1858, and the spectacular Teatro Colon impresses just as it did in 1908.

The birthplace of the sensual tango is an incredibly romantic city to sashay to. Atmospheric old neighbourhoods present captivating corners and enticing restaurants to linger in. Restaurants and nightlife options are appealingly priced, making it even easier to enjoy any number of romantic meals out.

A breathtaking array of historic sites beckons visitors, from the ruins of Aztec capital Tenochtitlan to the Great Pyramids of Teotihuacan. The city's broad, leafy streets are lined with monuments and museums. Day trips reach the floating gardens of Xochimilco, colonial Coyoacan and Tula's gargantuan statues.

Founded in 1541, Santiago was built on a typical colonial grid pattern. The city became capital of the republic in 1818 and modernization hit in the 1930s. Now, Santiago is one of the most modern conurbations in Latin America - and one with an amazing abundance of museums and two symphony orchestras.

Oaxaca keeps its heritage close to its heart: The historic centre is a World Heritage Site and home to the spectacular Macedonio Alcala Theatre and traditional markets selling wool garments, black pottery and local cheese. The archaeological zones of Mitla and Monte Alban sit near the city.