My 28 year old daughter and I have 3 weeks this summer to go to South America for the first time. We would like suggestions. Should we hit just a couple/few cities? Are there things we should not miss? Is safety an issue anywhere? We would prefer at least a portion of the trip to be in beach weather. Please get us started. Thanks so much. Sandy

In no particular order, here are the high spots we have experienced: Machu Picchu as well as Cuzco and vicinity in Peru; Iguasu Falls; Buenos Aires; Santiago in Chile; crossing the Andes via the Chilean lakes from Puerto Montt <BR>to Bariloche; the Galapagos Islands. Places we found less than interesting: Lima, Guayaquil, Caracas and La Guaira; Bogota.

My husband and I asked the same question before we decided on Galapagos. I wasn't crazy about being on the boat for 8 days. But I have to say that this was our best trip ever and we travel abroad 2-3 times a year. I hope you will take this exceptional place under consideration. There are rumors that soon Galapagos may be off limits to any tourists in order to preserve wild life. <BR>Just imagine yourself snorkeling or diving with sea lions, penguins, marine iguanas, or other creatures that are endimic to Galapagos. You will see animals, birds, and vistas that Darwin saw. And everything is almost the way it used to be and the way it will be.

Oh, I wouldn't worry much about the Galapagos Islands being placed off-limits to tourists any time soon. The islands generate a lot of dollars for Ecuador from tourism. The Ecuador economy is in desperate condition, the only S. American nation to default on its Brady Bonds debt and talking about now abandoning its currency and going on the U. S. dollar in order to instill some discipline into its government. The impact of tourism on the islands' ecosystem is negligible when compared with the devastation caused by the El Nino.

Im brazilian and you I love Brazil. There are so much citys to visited, Rio is very beautiful, Salvador, Porto Seguro (Bahia), the northest beaches are pleasure, If you can visit south too, each city look like a country. Buenos Aires (Argentina) is very beautiful too. Have a nice trip!!

In deed there are many places to see in South America. <BR>For beaches I believe that Brazil is the best alternative. Venezuela also has good beaches but are very similar to the caribbean beaches. <BR>Macchu Picchu and Cuzco are maybe the best cultural alternatives. <BR> <BR>For enjoy the nature and see desert, mountains, lakes, volcanoes, glaciers and make navigation I believe that maybe Chile is the best alternative. From San Pedro de Atacama in the north, Easter Island near the center, to Lakes District, Chiloe Archipelago, Austral Way, Channels zone and Torres del Paine Park in the Patagonia there are a lot of different landscapes. Most of them near the sea.

GALAPAGOS