PATAGONIA

At the southernmost tip of South America, Patagonia can be considered (almost) the end of the world. With its endless mountains and icy blue glaciers, there's something to see at every turn and corner.

Patagonia is so vast that it spans two countries in South America - Argentina and Chile. Though some may argue that the Chile side is best known (Torres Del Paine National Park), Argentina boasts its own beauty with travelers being able to ascend Mt. Fitz Roy or glacier trek Perito Moreno Glacier.

Planning a trip here means: you're into waking up early for adventure and sight-seeing, you love hiking tall mountain peaks, and you're prepared to embrace long drives and ever-changing weather. You'll have the opportunity to see untamed horses, long-necked guanacos, and pumas (if you truly plan for it).

You'll start base in nearby cities of El Calafate and/or Puerto Natales, where you can start to prepare yourself for sights of a lifetime. You can fly into either city airports and make your way into each area by rental car (which offers more flexibility), tour group, or bus.

Plan to spend at LEAST one week if you're headed down here, but I highly recommend planning at least 10-14 days to make it more leisurely. From Patagonia, you can even head to the most southern town in the world (literally the end of the world) -- Ushuaia, Argentina. For those lucky enough, that's where you would embark on your cruise to Antarctica.